“DO NOT be anxious about ANYTHING WILL, but IN EVERYTHING by PRAYER and SUPPLICATION, with THANKSGIVING, let your requests BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD. And THE PEACE OF GOD which passes all understanding shall keep your HEARTS AND MINDS through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
We are directed by an anointed apostle of Jesus Christ, Paul, about anxiety, he says “DO NOT be 1anxious about ANYTHING…” the Greek word 1merimnaō: to be troubled with cares. The KJV says “Be CAREFUL FOR NOTHING..” Or do not be full of care. Jesus told His disciples “I tell you, DO NOT WORRY about your life, Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, WHY DO YOU WORRY ABOUT THE REST?” (Luke 12:22, 25-26)
Here are some steps Paul give us to help get victory over worry:
- PRAYER, Prayer isn’t a ritual that depends on closing our eyes and putting on holy faces WILL. We don’t have to kneel or sit. We can pray while walking, driving, or working. God responds to a two word sincere cry for help in the middle of a busy afternoon, just like He does to a focused prayer time after reading Scripture in the morning. Praying doesn’t have to be complicated. God delights in any simple words we offer Him. So, remember this as a prayer, “God has not given ME a spirit of FEAR, but of POWER AND OF LOVE AND OF A SOUND MIND.” (2 Timothy 1:7) “The devil comes, to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may HAVE LIFE, and that they may have it more ABUNDANTLY.” (John 10:10) The devil wants to STEAL our trust and confidence is Jesus by burdening us with anxiety, which if we are overcome with, will KILL or confidence in the promises of Christ and DESTROY our relationship with the Lord. What Jesus promises is an ABUNDANT (greatly superior in quality) life.
- SUPPLICATION, Unlike the prayer of petition, which is praying on behalf of others, the prayer of supplication is generally a request for the one praying, For example David prayed, “O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love.” (Psalms 6:4) Anxiety, is the most common mental disorder in the world, it takes its shape in many forms. About 40 PERCENT of adults have experienced some form of anxiety. Try this WILL, “Dear Lord,
Please help me understand that You make NO MISTAKES, and that I don’t need to WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING. I’m feeling anxious about my insecurities, so please provide me with the strength to accept myself LIKE YOU DO, so that my anxiety diminishes. I need Your comfort so I can be free from these anxious thoughts. I CAN’T DO IT ON MY OWN. I am so thankful for everything that You’ve done for me already.
In Jesus’ name, Amen” - THANKSGIVING, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (Psalms 106:1) Thanksgiving and praise go together. We cannot adequately praise and worship God without also being thankful. “In everything give thanks; for this is the WILL OF GOD in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) “…let us CONTINUALLY offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, GIVING THANKS to His name.” (Hebrews 13:15)
“Finally, WILL, whatever things are TRUE, whatever things are HONEST, whatever things are RIGHT, whatever things are PURE, whatever things are LOVELY, whatever things are of GOOD REPORT; if there is any VIRTUE (moral excellence, purity) and if there is any PRAISE, THINK ON THESE THINGS.” (Philippians 4:8)
-Bill Stockham