“HOPE-FULL” AND “OVER-FLOWING” – THEREFORE “HAPPY”
January 1, 2026…IN EVERYTHING…
January 3, 2026People in general are anxious and afraid about the unknown. This is a normal human situation, if let at that level. However, there is a train of thought that drives such anxiety and fear, which makes it complicated and crippling. Since something is UNKNOWN to us at that precise moment, it makes us UNCERTAIN. This uncertainty makes us unsure of how it would unfold. Such an uncertainty leads us to uneasiness; uneasiness leads us to anxiety; anxiety leads us to anxiousness; anxiousness leads us to stress; stress leads us to fear; fear infused stress, when left unattended and unaddressed, will cripple our ability to think clearly and rationally. From then on, it is a downward slide because, we begin to live in the realm of imaginations and anxiety fuelled fantasies, I stead of facts based rational thinking. Unless we stop, take stock, and begin to walk back to reclaim the lost ground, it will be a tough and challenging situation.
The LORD our God, speaking to us through the apostle Paul’s writing to the early Christians at Philippi, is of great comfort. These words give clarity to anyone, who is confused and concerned about the unknown. Paul’s words are relevant to us, especially as we look forward to the New Year 2026.
– “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
We can see six points in the above two verses. They teach us invaluable lessons, especially as we walk into the New Year.
– BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING
– BUT IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION
– WITH THANKSGIVING
– LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD
– AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING
– WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS
Let us look at the first lesson that the LORD wants to teach us.
– BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING
This is not a request, nor a suggestion. It is a statement which is expected to be obeyed. Paul doesn’t beat around the bush. He says it straight, and says it strongly – BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING.
As a Christian, we are called to trust God, because He promised to stand by us, and help us at all times and in every situation. We are called to depend on God for all our needs. *We are called not to worry about anything because, the LORD as the Sovereign God, and our Good Shepherd, will take care of us, and all that concerns us.* This is precisely why David, the shepherd king says…
– “1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:1-4
Let us not be anxious of how 2026 will unfold, nor about anything else in our lives. God will take care of us. We are called not to worry or stress, but to trust and obey. Therefore, let us BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING, but trust God to meet all our needs. Even so, the LORD help us.
