Don't Worry

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:4-8

We all worry from time to time. We all can rejoice, though, too! I am going to break down this passage so it is easier to understand.

Verses 4-5 says to rejoice! Rejoice in every circumstance! Whether you are happy, angry, sad- just whatever it is, rejoice. You can be in a trial but still rejoice because you are learning through this trial. Yes. You read that right. You are learning through the trial. You may not see it yet, but one day when you look back and reflect on it you will rejoice and see how you have grown, and that you have learned. So why not just rejoice now? 

There are so many reasons to rejoice. Other reasons to rejoice is because you are breathing, you are alive, and probably so many other small reasons! Most importantly God has shown you mercy, love, and compassion. Yeah, there are those times where you think “God doesn't love me… I'm a horrible person,” or “I am abandoned. I have no hope.” Let me be straight forward with you- that is not true. God is with you, even when you don't see it. He is preparing you for something greater. If God never loved you He wouldn’t have made you. He wouldn't have died for you. God loves this world. John 3:16 says “for God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son. So whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” That’s some pretty good news, isn’t it?

          James 1:2-3 says “count it all for joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds. For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”  So, rejoice! 

Paul was ship wrecked, persecuted, kidnapped, beaten, threatened, arrested many times, had PTSD from this, and well… been through most trials you can think of. He asked God three times to remove his thorns from his flesh and God said “no.” Do not act like God is not loving, just, and merciful- because He is- but He said “no” to keep Paul to keep him from being proud. God's grace is all he needed and all we need. God’s power works best in weakness. So our thorns can be a good thing. So rejoice! You are learning! One day you may be able to help someone in their “thorn” because you have walked through it yourself. 

            “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.”

            When we show reasonableness we show how much we love God! We can have a gentle and considerate spirit showing how much we love God! 

           When we show this we can also show how much we can trust each other through different circumstances, thorns, and trials. Galatians 6:2, says to bear one another’s burdens. Do not hide them. In my personal testimony I would say that I have learned this, and am still learning how to do this. 

            We should never feel ashamed of our burdens. We need to bear another’s burdens with our brothers and sisters in Christ. So whether it is stress, personal trials, etc. don’t be scared to share! 

            Especially don’t be scared to share your joys! Share 'em just as much as you share your burdens! Show to other people what God has done in your life!

         So if we show reasonableness it can foster empathy and show that we are caring for another’s thorn. It is a way of gently getting someone through these thorns, trials, and anxieties. 

          “The Lord is at hand: do not be anxious about anything, but by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be known to God”

Let me just say, this verse changed my perspective. After worrying about different things I did more complaining than praying. And when I did pray I felt hopeless. I felt that if I prayed it could just grant me a wish and get rid of the trial. And we can NOT base things off of feelings, of course. Feelings lead us astray and that’s what it did for me. I didn’t pray for growth at first. My heart, soul, and mind wasn't focusing on the Lord during my thorn, at the time. I thought I was focusing on the Lord, but I wasn’t! Instead I was focusing on my flesh. I could've prayed instead of worried. Psalm 46:10 says “be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted among the earth.” Brothers and sisters! It takes more energy to stress then to rest, trust God, know he is God, and pray.

Do not be anxious about anything! This could be worrying about a test, to worrying about finances, to stressing about divorce or broken relationships. It could be small things. It could be extreme things. It could be constant anxiety. But in EVERY LITTLE THING don't be anxious at all. You hear me? Nothing! You don't need to worry about anything because God is already in control and knows what is going to happen. He has you and the entire world in His hands. God's grace is sufficient.

So if you ever stumble upon the question of “what can I do instead of being anxious?” Pray! If I am feeling worried about my test then just talk to Jesus! Just chat with Him! He knows it all! He is omniscient! If I am feeling worried about my grandpa's doctor appointment then I just need to talk to God. If I’m worried about a relationship breakup, then I just need to pray and talk to God. If I’m stressed about my child’s ongoing illness, then I just need to talk to God. Trust me. Talking to God can be hard when big things happen, but God is bigger.

         I’m not saying to pray and whatever the issue is will be taken away. As I said in a post a while back ago, God is not a vending machine! You don’t get what you want by just praying. (But don’t worry. Something else good will come out of it.) I am saying that instead of spending your time and energy on having worries and being anxious, then talk to Jesus. He is worth spending the energy on. 

         The passage also says “by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving.” According to Oxford Languages Dictionary supplication means ‘the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly.’

So, you can be on your knees, in tears, in supplication, praying for help, but you can also during this time be in thanksgiving. And no… not “thanksgiving” with turkeys. And another no… not being super happy about the situation you’re in supplication for, because yes... I get it. It is hard to be grateful for a trial. I have been there. But I’ve also been in that place. It’s hard to be thankful for your pain. It’s easy to worry about it. To stress over it. It tears you apart. But again… you WILL learn through it, and it is going to make you stronger. So you have two options. Cry and give up, or rejoice for the good, believe what the Bible says will happen, and follow Jesus. After choosing option one for a bit I gave up, because it was sickening, and I chose two. I know you can too. It isn’t an overnight thing that happens. It’s a process of naturally maturing. 

       I keep saying that good will come out of this, which is true, if you follow what Jesus is saying, but please don’t fantasize over it. You may not become famous or such over your thorn, but you will have something.

     Your trial may be a test from God. God tests us to examine our hearts. Look how he tested Abraham when he told Abraham to kill his only son. He was testing Abraham’s heart. Will he follow God, or will he follow his desires? And Abraham ended up following God! And it was just a test! He didn’t kill his son! 

      “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” ‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬

     See! Steadfastness! The testing of faith produces steadfastness!  ‭

     In conclusion, pray about everything. Rejoice in the hard and in the good. Look at the good. Have a tender spirit toward others. Pray instead of stress. Don’t worry, and know that God is bigger than the boogie man! Stop thinking why me? Instead think what is God teaching me? 

Don’t Worry by Bryar Sue is on YouTube Music now! 

~Bryar S Engelhardt 

Week 1: Revelation 1 — Jesus, Unveiled in Glory

Scripture Focus:

“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place.” — Revelation 1:1

Revelation doesn’t begin with fear—it begins with Jesus. Not the suffering Savior on the cross, but the risen, glorified King. This chapter is a divine introduction, not to chaos, but to Christ in His full majesty.

John, exiled on the island of Patmos, receives a vision that changes everything. He hears a loud voice like a trumpet and turns to see Jesus—not as he remembered Him, but as He truly is now: eyes like fire, feet like bronze, a face shining like the sun. This is Jesus in His heavenly glory, walking among the churches, holding the keys of death and Hades.

Gary Hamrick emphasizes that this chapter is meant to reintroduce us to Jesus. We often picture Him as gentle and meek—and He is—but Revelation 1 reminds us that He is also powerful, holy, and reigning. He’s not distant. He’s present. He walks among His people. He sees everything. And He speaks.

What Revelation 1 Teaches Us

• Jesus is central — The book isn’t about beasts or battles first. It’s about Jesus.

• He is eternal — Alpha and Omega, beginning and end. Time bows to Him.

• He is personal — He speaks to John by name. He touches him. He says, “Do not be afraid.”

This chapter is a call to reverence, not panic. It’s a reminder that Jesus is in control, even when the world feels out of control.

Reflection & Challenge

This week, ask yourself:

• Do I see Jesus as He truly is—or only as I’ve imagined Him?

• Am I living with the kind of awe and confidence that comes from knowing He reigns?

• What would change in my life if I remembered daily that He walks among His people?

Take time to read Revelation 1 slowly. Let the imagery sink in. Write down what stands out to you—and what Jesus might be saying to you personally.

Closing Prayer

“Jesus, help me see You clearly. Not just as Savior, but as King. Let Your presence calm my fears and Your glory stir my faith. Walk with me this week. Speak to me. I’m listening. Amen.”

Next week, we’ll dive into Revelation 2 and hear what Jesus says to the churches. His words are direct, loving, and full of truth. Let’s keep walking this journey together.

Inspired by Gary Hamrick’s teaching at Cornerstone Chapel.

YouTube

Verse by Verse Bible Study | Revelation 1:1-11 | Gary Hamrick

TRUST IN THE LORD

Proverbs 3:5; Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (KJV)

We are to trust in the Lord with all of our heart, and not lean on our understanding. Our God is a loving God, and He will only lead us down the path that is best for us. That doesn’t mean that it will be easy, the way we want, or even make sense. What it will be is worth it. 

Now, let me just go a bit into what trusting God looks like. It is actually pretty simple. Here it is. Follow God when you don’t know where to go, and keep on having faith that He is faithful to deliver on His promises even when it seems like nothing is going right. Trusting God, in a sense, can look like having the world fall on you, but you still keep going. It can look like having many loved ones die, figuring out people were lying to you, realizing that the world isn’t what you thought it was, and being poor, and despite all that you continue saying, “God may your will be done,” and continue living with Him, and doing everything like it is meant for Him. Trusting God looks like giving up control, which is basically like saying I know my way seems better and can get me out of everything, but I trust that your way is better and I’ll let you choose my path, and giving up having to know everything you could possibly know. It looks like giving Him everything. 

Yeah, pretty simple explanation. Nothing too deep. But that is trust. It flows deep, but it’s mostly just saying that if I am in a life or death situation, this is the person I want by my side. It’s believing they have your best interests at heart, and it’s really just believing in them. Believing that they have your back. Jesus has your back, always has, still does, and always will. So believe that He does.

You might, seemingly, be facing a road block. Maybe, nothing is going your way. Maybe, you are dealing with something heavy. Maybe, you want to step out in faith, but you feel like you can’t move. Maybe, you feel like you will never get out of a certain situation. Maybe, there is something in your life that makes you unsure about whether or not it can be fixed.

But know that God always has you. It may not make sense right now. It may never make sense. But that doesn’t mean God doesn’t still have you. He will never let you go, and He has a plan for everything. So, just trust Him, okay?

CHRISTOPHER HANEY