Anxiety is optional for us, it is not required. God can lead us into an anxiety-free world. We must learn to be quick to pray. Focus less on the problems ahead and more on the victories behind. We do our part and God will do His. He will GUARD OUR HEARTS with His peace…a peace that passes understanding. “The LORD Himself goes before you and will BE WITH YOU; He will NEVER LEAVE YOU and will NEVER FORSAKE YOU. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deut. 31:8) When we think about the root cause of so many mistakes and spiritual pitfalls in our lives, the source often seems to be the one and only, the ugly, anxiety. ANXIETY will cause us to buckle and settle for less than God’s best. It’ll cause us to disobey after diluting our trust in Him, and even when we do stay strong, it’ll rob us of our peace and joy.
“DO NOT BE ANXIOUS (merimnaō: to be troubled with cares.) 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.” (Phil. 4:6-7)
WE ARE GIVEN THREE KEY THINGS TO OVERCOME ANXIETY:
- PRAYER: God has designed, ordained, planned and promised that He will act for us WHEN WE PRAY. “…when you pray, go into your room, shut your door, pray to your Father in the secret place; and your Father will reward you openly.” (Matt. 6:6) God has promised to do for us things we cannot do our ourselves when we pray—that is, when we get on our faces before God and confess our sins, and give thanks for His grace, and lift up the cup of salvation, and plead for Him to fill it with supernatural blessings.
- PETITION: Prayer of petition is also referred to as supplication. These are requests that include our personal needs and the needs of others (intercession). In our petitions, we ask God for whatever needs that concern us; e.g., physical (natural), psychological, spiritual, emotional.
- THANKSGIVING: the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors, to God. An expression of thanks, to God. Acknowledgment of divine favor or kindness, for giving thanks to God.
“…though I walk THROUGH (with God we always walk through) the valley of the shadow of death, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL; FOR YOU ARE WITH ME; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psa. 23:4)
-Bill Stockham