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When You're In a Fix
I remember the slogan from my youth. "When you are in a fix, look up Philippians 4:6," so just do it! Here is the command: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (ESV).The Message Bible says, "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns." "When you are in a fix, often the fix is in you" (Ashok Kallarakkal). And since Christ is in you, I can go along with that.
 Using the artful aid of alliteration, the precept is to worry about nothing. The prescription is prayer and petition with thanksgiving to God. The promise is peace (verse 7). The precept is not lengthy or difficult to understand. We all have challenges, problems, difficulties in our earthly life. The command is short and to the point: "Don't fret or worry." Just stop worrying; that's the imperative in the prohibition. As a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20), the King will always look after us wherever we are, unlike some modern countries some of us live in. So remember who you are.
The prescription to apply is prayer -- fellowship and devotion between a child and his parent. Christianity is not a religion. Christianity is the way of a Father with his family. Prayer and God's Word are the ways that we have communication.
It is a time when we talk to God; we tell him all about the wonderful things we've doing, all the everyday incidents of life, and then we listen to what He has to say; it is worship and devotion. So the prescription is to talk to the Head of the country of which you are a citizen about your cares.
I like that prescription. That's good. Just put it in everyday language. If you've got a problem and you know that you could just pick up the phone at any time and talk to the head of the country about it, you would feel a little bit more confident, especially if he was on your side of the political fence. Wouldn't you?
"In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving" -- already thanking God for the answer that you already have, thanking God for the supply of your need that is already yours. This is the prescription. This is why you don't get worried or anxious.
I remember once preaching on "Why Pray When You Can Worry?" and I'm sure the title was just a tease for a teaching based on this verse. Who needs to be worried or anxious when you are on talking terms with the boss? You're on a good thing. Let your requests be made known unto God. It is not the length of time; it is not the loudness; it is not even the words you say. There is no proper way to pray.
Adapted from the forthcoming book I'm Excited About Philippians by Peter Wade. Continued online! Please LEAVE A COMMENT online if this article has blessed you! ]
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You have been commenting...
Amazing. The world cannot contain the books that would be written about all the signs Jesus did, and the heavens cannot contain God. We need more room for all of this abundance! -- IB
Dear Peter and Vivien, Thank you again for exposing pertinent truth and pointing out the point. And I am glad to know the full song/hymn “Standing on the Promises” now with some history. It makes “our” songs and hymns we sing in fellowship more powerful! Love from Ohio -- C&NB
Over these many years, it’s always quite thrilling that often when your newsletter hits our e-mail box, the topic is exactly what I’ve been studying. ... I thought it very interesting what you wrote in this article and your latest book on eating God’s Word, ‘Exploring God’s Amazing Word’. Right in the Hebrew definition of the word "covenant" there’s implication of feeding on God’s Word! As we’ve discussed before no “coincidences”, just unity of the those “IN HIM”. We thank God for you and Vivien and your ministry! -- K&DR
Vivien and Peter and faithful few, thank you for your honest and truthful evaluation and sharing of Christ’s teachings and quoted words that inspire and make us want to know, do, live and share with friends and foes. Pray I may boldly share the gospel with accuracy and love. And Amen for Jesus. -- MF.
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It Is Well With My Soul
My father told me that when he was a teenager, at the close of the Sunday night service the whole congregation would stand and sing as a doxology the refrain from an old hymn, "It is well, it is well with my soul." I can well picture the scene as I spent 10 years' of Sundays and many weeknights in that Salvation Army hall. With words by the ominous-sounding Horatio G. Spafford and music by the prolific Philip P. Bliss, the hymn is still popular today. Here is the hymn as it appeared in my songbook, which I still have from those far-off days.
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea-billows roll,
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain: It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
For me be it Christ, be it Christ, hence to live
If Jordan above my shall roll
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But, Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait
The sky, not the grave, is our goal.
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord,
Blessed hope! blessed rest of my soul!
Spafford wrote the words as a result of losing his four daughters in a shipwreck in the Atlantic Ocean. He was booked on another ship a day or so later, on his way to help in a Moody-Sankey campaign in England, and on hearing the news he was heartbroken. When passing the spot where the first ship had gone down, he felt the Lord gave him the words, "When sorrows like sea-billows roll... it is well with my soul." He later completed the lyrics.
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