Be Anxious About Nothing

5-21-2009

When I think of the word anxious, anticipation comes to mind. It’s the feeling you get the day before a vacation, and you can’t wait to get to your destination. You are anxious. On the flip side, you may be anxious about a piece of bad news. You may not know all of the facts, but you can’t stop thinking about the situation until you get all the information. Regardless, we are given very direct and simple instruction about anxiety.

In Philippians 4:6 we are given strict instructions by Paul. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.” When we are anxious we have anxiety. Anxiety tends to lead to worry, and both are 100% the opposite of what we should be doing. We should control what we can control, focus on the process, and trust that God knows what’s best for us. To be anxious and worry about things solves nothing. In fact it does the opposite. Anxiety and worry leads to stress and it saps us of energy. Instead of focusing on the positives and all we have going on in life, we are dwelling on what may or may not come. We are called to live in the moment, and let tomorrow take care of its self, for we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow. Seize the day!

Each and every day I pray, and one of the most fulfilling parts of each prayer is, “God, bless me mentally so that I will not worry or stress, and I rest all of my strength, worries, doubts, anxieties, and etcetera on your shoulders. I have no need to worry for you are not only with me, but you carry me.” This is exactly what Paul is telling us to do. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Instead of worrying, pray! If you want to understand the feeling of peace, grasp the reality that everything is in God’s hands. Everything!

Application:
1. Read Philippians 4:1-9
2. Think about everything you worry, stress, and are anxious about. Now give those up to God. Understand the waste of time worry, stress, and anxiety brings into your life.