What Isn’t There

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

The word “nothing” means “something that does not exist.”  The word “careful” means “to be full of care.” Jesus told Martha in Luke 10:41 …Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. When we think about it, it makes no sense to be filled with care about something that does not exist—no thing.

Yet, we sometimes concentrate our thoughts on “some” thing in a fretful manner. It often proves to be true that the thing that we fear never comes.

Maybe that’s why Jesus said, Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. It’s like staring at something that’s not even there. And when we do, we are unable to appreciate what is actually there. Anxiety tends to blind us to the many blessings that we actually do have.

“When upon Life’s billows you are tempted, tossed; when you are discouraged thinking all is lost. Count your many blessings, name them one by one. And it will amaze you what the Lord has done!”

If anxiety is crowding in upon you, step back and start counting your many blessings, in specific terms. One by one. Let your mind go even to your current presence in Heaven with Christ Jesus. Let yourself experience the love, joy, peace, and glory of your Heavenly Home.

Silence those fearful voices. Replace your thoughts with trust and thankfulness. Look at what is really there so your imagination will not drift into the darkness of what is not there.

Reflection—Our tomorrow may be the eternal one. Why fret over the temporal one?