Every day, it seems I encounter people - believers - who are riddled with anxiety. The good news is - WE DON'T HAVE TO LIVE THAT WAY!
Philippians 4:6-7 tells us to "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds"
God gives us clear direction on how to overcome anxiety in this verse.
BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING
That's a directive - not a suggestion. God gives us commandments, knowing fully that by ourselves, we cannot comply. It is only by what follows that we are able to obey Him...
BUT IN EVERYTHING
Everything means ALL things. This means every area of our lives - even the secret areas we THINK we've hidden. We are to open them up to God. Because, whether you want to admit it or not, He already knows. He's just waiting on you to GET REAL with Him.
BY PRAYER
There's the first aid He offers - communication with the Father. God designed us for relationship - for communication - first and foremost with Him. But it's not just about talking to God - its about LISTENING for Him to respond, and BEING in His presence. In experiencing His presence, you KNOW you are not alone on this journey.
AND SUPPLICATION
Supplication is defined as "the action of asking or begging for something - earnestly or humbly". We are to go to God in humility - recognizing Him as our sovereign Lord. And ask Him earnestly - with sincere and intense conviction.
WITH THANKSGIVING
Ask yourself, are you truly thankful for what God has done for you? Sometimes when I'm struggling, I take a walk through memory, and I think about ALL the times God has shown up for me. And I THANK Him - from the bottom of my heart - because He has proven over and over, that He cares for me. I MATTER to Him!
LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD
Once I've journeyed thru memory and built myself up in faith - remembering ALL He has done for me, I can then make my request KNOWN to Him. I can APPROACH His throne - with CONFIDENCE - BELIEVING (notice the actions I must take) that God will meet my every need. Not always what I want, but His Word promises, He will meet my needs.
AND THE PEACE OF GOD - WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING
God's peace is the antidote for anxiety. An antidote is something that counteracts or neutralizes an unpleasant feeling or situation. It's mind-boggling - it's unexplainable with human words - it surpasses (goes beyond) human understanding.
WILL GUARD YOUR HEART AND MIND
It's then that God's peace GUARDS your heart and mind. HIS PEACE - that already lives INSIDE OF YOU (if you are born again) - becomes your shield - your armor.
Pray - with humility and earnestly - with thankfulness - and confidence - and you WILL HAVE the peace that neutralizes the anxiety (ie. Fear). He (God) who lives in you, is greater than he (Satan) who lives in the world.
My prayer for you, is that you take this verse to heart - meditate on it - believe it - live it!
Blessings, Allison Pelphrey
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