“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” ~ Philippians 4:6
REFERENCE:
We saw yesterday that anxiety is born from uncertainty about the outcome of events we cannot control, and our mind is its real target. A mind overtaken by anxiety can rule and ruin your life. We cannot always control the anxiety-creating events around us. Still, we can find and master ways to beat anxiety. Paul shows us how to be anxious for nothing in our text:
a. By Prayer and Supplication: This is the primary way to beat anxiety. Why worry when you can pray and a mighty God can turn the situation around? When you pray in faith, you are setting God as Lord over the variables of life, yielding the reins of your life to Him, assured that He will do what is best for you. He said, “Cast your cares and burden on Me, for I affectionately care for you.” Pray about everything.
b. Thanksgiving: A merry heart does good to the body like medicine. Thanksgiving yields joy and gives access to the wells of God’s blessings. A thankful heart is hopeful, trusting, and resting in God. Thanksgiving confuses the devil since you are responding differently from what he expects his ‘arrows’ to accomplish in your heart. Thanking God says to Him, “It doesn’t matter what is happening around me; you have my back and seek my good.
c. Assurance of Answers: When Paul said, “Let your requests be made known to God,” he meant, “Be specific in asking God what you want, which if He did, you would worry less or no more be anxious.” If you are specific, you know when your answer comes. It has a therapeutic effect on the heart and mind. “Ask, and it shall be given to you.”
d. Right Thinking: Paul lists the things you should be intentional in thinking about if you must beat anxiety. He said, think about things that are lovely, pure, just, praiseworthy, virtuous, and of good report. What you set your mind on will set your mood; hence, Paul counseled, “Let good virtues occupy your mind, and you could soon lose your capacity for anxiety.”
e. Good Role Models: We often get anxious because of the people around us. Some are negative, constantly peddling terrible news or sad stories. We get pressured by seeing other people doing better than us or if we notice patterns of calamity in those close to us. Paul said, take me for your example; follow my faith, prayer, and praise life, and watch how I let God guide me. Find someone who speaks of faith and hope to you, whose life reflects trust in God.
Practice these, and you will always beat anxiety. Be anxious for nothing. “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” – Maya Angelou.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
I Peter 5:6-8, Proverbs 15:15, I Corinthians 11:1
CONFESSION:
I refuse to let anxious thoughts dominate my mind. In prayer, I cast all my worries, burdens, cares, and concerns upon God. I choose to set my mind on good and Godly thoughts at all times, and I shut out every voice that creates anxiety in my life, in Jesus’ name.
Amen 🙏🏽