I’ve been working through a series based on Philippians 4:6-7 and I want to keep it going. The passage says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

I don’t know about you guys, but when I feel anxious, I don’t feel very thankful. In those situations, I am completely absorbed with whatever the anxiety is focused on. The problem seems huge and I feel anxious because I have no idea how it’s ever going to work out.

Maybe this is part of the reason that Paul tells us to present our requests with thankfulness. When we express our gratitude to God, we are acknowledging times in the past that he has come through for us. We are remembering that there were other situations that we were anxious about and somehow, God delivered us. Anxiety has a way of narrowing our view to where we only see the problem that is right in front of our nose.

The truth is however, that God has been faithful to each one of us. When we come to understand the reality that God doesn’t owe us anything, we begin to see his faithfulness around us all the time. The mountain you’re facing right now may seem like the biggest mountain ever. Mine does. It may seem like there is no conceivable way you will ever get to the top. I feel like that right now.

We would all do well to recognize that we serve a very great and incredible God that specializes in mountain climbing. In fact, he may not even make you climb it. He may take the whole thing out of your path in one miraculous move just so you know it doesn’t depend on you. But in the meantime, I encourage each of us to take some time to thank God for the mountains we have already climbed through his grace. You will get passed this mountain. God didn’t lead you this far to leave you. But until he delivers you, take time to thank him for what he has already done.