I wonder how it is possible for us to truly worship God in “spirit and truth” (John 4:24), “with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37), if our heart, soul, and mind are filled with worry and anxiety.
Jesus told the multitude to let go of life’s worries (Matthew 6:25-34). We find this theme throughout the life of Jesus that our worry does not achieve the purposes of God. In the parable of the sower Jesus explains the various obstacles to The Word. He tells us that the ones who received seed among the thorns, “they are the ones who hear The Word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:18-19).
Just before Paul directs his readers to think about these things: “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report,” he reminds us of the call of Christ regarding “cares of this world.” Paul, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, who declares at the end of this letter, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory, . . .” (Philippinas 4:19), implores us to “be anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6).
“Be anxious for nothing” is a process of letting go of our need to be in control, turning to God in faith, opening our heart, soul, and mind to Him, and let His Son shine in.
Heavenly sunlight, heavenly sunlight,
Flooding my soul with glory divine;
Hallelujah, I am rejoicing,
Singing His praises, Jesus is mine.
Now I am ready to worship. Now I am ready to praise. Now my thoughts can run to things like, “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report,”