"Do not be anxious about anything.'" (Philippians 4:6)
OBSERVATION
Webster's defines anxious as: "concern or solicitude respecting some thing or event, future or uncertain, which disturbs the mind, and keeps it in a state of painful uneasiness." We can certainly relate to anxiety as a state of painful uneasiness in the mind. How many tension headaches to we experience. Anxiety has a way of putting a vice on our brains.
But Paul reminds us not to be anxious about anything. Which sounds much easier said than done. However, in that same chapter he gives us some clues that may help ease the brain pain.
- Pray with thanksgiving.
- Think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy.
- Practice following his example.
- Learn the secret of contentment.
- Rely on God's strength to be able to do everything through him.
The result? The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. In a way, peace is the antidote to anxiety. It replaces uncertainty and uneasy minds are calmed.
If anxiety is a state of mind, then the focus of our thoughts can either create or relieve anxiety. In fact, Paul said God's peace will guard our minds. It is the kind of peace that cannot be explained, but is real enough to be understood as it quells our concerns.
APPLICATION
I'm my own worse anxiety enemy. Me, anxious? At times. When I focus on the troubles, future or uncertain, I can be overwhelmed. However, when I focus on the things of God somehow I rise above the trouble to connect with Him. I find when I'm anxious it's because I'm focusing on my circumstances and not praying, or thinking about the things that lead to God's peace. It's so much easier to focus on the negative or unknown instead of being content with what is known, namely God and his power in my life. Because even when I feel that I can't, he will give me the strength to do what needs to be done. That is a worry free philosophy.
PRAYER
Lord, you are the God of peace. Thank you for your gift of non-understandable peace even in the midst of circumstances I do not or cannot understand.
