Pastor Rick Warren: Fill Your Mind with God’s Word, Not Worry

By Rick Warren

“Do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV).

When you are worried, don’t repress it, suppress it, or deny it. Confess it. If you try to push down worries, you’re going to get sick. It’s like taking a can of soda, shaking it up, and then putting it in the freezer. It’s going to explode!

“Do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV).
What is the peace that passes understanding? It’s when you’re at peace but you have no logical, rational reason for it. You just lost your job but somehow you’re at peace about it. Why? The Lord is your shepherd. You just heard the dreaded word “cancer” from the doctor. For some reason, you have peace about the situation. Why? The Lord is your shepherd. Just keep giving your worries to him. He can handle it.
If you know how to worry, you know how to meditate. Meditation is simply focusing on one thought over and over. So take the skills you use when you worry, and instead meditate on God’s Word. Start with a small portion of Scripture. First, read the passage slowly, perhaps out loud a few times, placing emphasis on different words or phrases. Second, reflect on the truth of the text. Third, respond to God in light of what you’ve just read. This may be quietly or out loud. Fourth, rest in the Word of God, listening for what God has to say through the Scripture.
Would you rather have your worries or God’s Word running through your head? Do something about it today: Confess your worry, and then fill your mind with God’s truth found in the Bible.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
Talk It Over

When you pray to God about your worries, do you get specific? If not, what difference do you think it would make if you did?
Read Psalm 23, and then practice the ideas on meditating from today’s devotional. What new insights do you gain?
Philippians 4:7 says that God’s peace “will guard” your heart and mind. What do you think that means?

Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.