Careful for Nothing

Careful is an interesting word; it means to be anxious to protect something from harm or danger.  Anxious is an interesting word; it means to yearn or worry about: such as the feeling for breath when the air is thin.

Therefore what dose it mean to be careful for nothing?  It mean to not yearn for anything, in other words, it means to cease to focus on the goals in life and enjoy the now on your way to them.  It means to find joy in the journey; to stop and smell the roses; to find peace now.  So how is this to be done? Paul gives us the answer: "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Philippians 4:6).  As we walk through life give our worries to the Lord let our advance worrying become our advanced prayer and planning.

This council also comes with a promise "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (7).  No greater blessing sometimes than that of peace.

So then the question becomes: aren't we supposed to have high goals and shoot for them?  "What wilt thou have pay the price and take it!" "Aim high in dream and hope!" "Never, never, never give up!"  Don't goals and dreams imply being not content with where one is in life, desiring and longing for more?

I don't have an answer for that...

But here are some more of Paul's words:  "for i have learned, in whatsoever state i am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and i know how to abound: everywhere and in all things i am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need" (11).  It seems then the answer is both.  With the guidance of the spirit, we fill our role in life and reach our greatest potential.  When prompted to move we move and know that there is nothing that we cannot accomplish, and therefore if we are stalled or stopped, or our course is changed, or while we fly--we enjoy the journey and flight--not the end. We trust that our power is infinite for "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (13).