God Hears Our SOS

 Psalm 118:5,6
I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

In the early 1900’s, the letters SOS were used to signal that someone was in distress or in need of saving. The distress was given out in Morse code and later became the standard signal to let others know that help was needed. Even though the signal has been replaced with other forms of technology, it is still used to communicate that someone is in distress, someone is in trouble and their life is in danger. When we cry out to the Lord in distress, He sees our SOS. Distress is an emotional, social, spiritual, or physical pain or suffering that may cause a person to feel sad, afraid, depressed, anxious, or lonely. Like David, we face situations in our lives that we don’t have control over. We become anxious when we find ourselves without answers to problems that we are not able to solve. The Lord will sometimes let us get to the end of resources, so that we can turn to Him. He is there ready and desiring to answer our distress call. In prayer, we signal to the Lord our SOS, and He is there to meet our every need. We need not fear evil, for He is with us. We need not fear the circumstances that come our way because He knows what we are facing and going through. Distress is a human emotion, but it does not have to rule over us. In times of distress, He can give us peace that passes understanding, and contentment in knowing that the Lord is in control, and He will come to our rescue at the right time.

Cast Your Cares

 Philippian 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 cares of life can be heavy. We care about many things and don’t even realize that we are doing it. In this case, to care is to carry a burden, to be anxious, or to worry about the material needs, our daily bread. Peter said, “to cast your cares on Him for He will take care of what you need.” We need not worry about what life will bring to our doorsteps tomorrow. Today He will watch over us. Paul says here, “don’t worry, but give God thanks for all His blessings and provisions.” Place your faith and trust in God to meet your needs. He knows what we need and don’t need. Our life is under His control, and we in faith submit to His will. “Give us Lord our daily bread…” and lead us not to doubt your love and care.

Don't Worry, Trust God

 Philip 4:6
Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.
 
It is within human nature to be anxious and be worried. It is a natural response when things in life turn against you. Paul’s admonition to us is not to worry about the unfortunate events that happen in our life. How is this possible? When we sense danger, our response is to flee, run, our body naturally responds to danger when we encounter it. Yet, Jesus says, “fear not”. Overcoming fear or worry is not done by human efforts, it is done by prayer and supplication to God. He provides grace, He is the one that will take care of us. It is supernatural. The power of the Holy Spirit to overcome the human reactions of anxiety. Letting go of our circumstance and situation and allowing God to take control. Knowing that He is the one in control will bring peace to whatever we are facing. Don't worry, trust God!

Don't Be Anxious

 Philip 4:6 & 13

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God...I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Impossible! Being anxious is part of human nature, right? The definition of being anxious: worried, concerned, uneasy, apprehensive, fearful, perturbed, troubled, bothered, disturbed, distressed, disquieted, fretful. All of these words describe a person who has forgotten that God is in control, and having such feelings and thoughts will lead to despair. Our human reaction is often displayed in this way. Like temptation, we have a choice to make. Scripture admonishes us to take all our worries and concerns to God in prayer, put our trust in Him, lean not to our own understanding, trust and surrender our lives and situation to Him. We can do this! How? “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Don't Worry- Trust God

Matt. 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.

Paul says this in another way, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything give thanks” Don’t think about what will happen tomorrow, God has it covered. There are enough problem that we face today to worry about what might happen tomorrow. Worry is triggered by the unknown. The unseen possibilities that can cause us to have sleepless nights. The haunting question, “What if”? The reality is such circumstances and situations may come to us, but even so, Jesus says, to trust Him to take care of such things. Seek Him, and in Him there is security in knowing that nothing will happen that His grace will be sufficient to help us through. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things…” It is human nature to worry, but He is able to give us a peace that passes human nature to rest in Him.