“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:
What a reassuring verse of scripture for the times we live in. So much is happening around us that is perplexing; sometimes, it seems like the world is on a free-fall to doom, and we do not have a full grip on our lives and the external circumstances that affect us. The real target is our mind; to take control of it with anxiety. A mind overtaken by anxiety can rule and ruin your life.
Anxiety is born from uncertainty about the outcome of events we have no control over. We become distraught and nervous about real or perceived threats: “Will he walk out on the marriage/relationship? Will I wake up in the morning? Can I trust my wife? Will I get a job after school? What if I never make it in life, what happens if my dad dies, etc.?” These thoughts can feel so real that they control our behavior and often lead to increased heart rate.
One night, Bayo was driving on a dark road when he got a flat tire. He saw a lonely house in the bush and walked towards it. Then he thought, “The person who answers the door will be angry and irritated by the disturbance. In fact, he will probably harm me. He must be a wicked person. Who else will live here, away from people?” Bayo convinced himself that the person who lived in the house was a menace to society, so when the door opened, he punched the man in the nose and ran away.
Anxiety can make you act in ways you shouldn’t. It will make you borrow money instead of trusting God, create an enemy when there isn’t one, make you feel sick when all is well with you, have pictures of a horrible future while God is still working on you, or fight with people that love you. Anxiety is dangerous, and it can set your life on the wrong course and keep you fighting the wrong person in a one-sided battle. It can lead to depression and suicidal thoughts.
“Anxiety is like a rocking chair; it gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you very far.” ~ Jodi Picoult. “Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths.” ~ Charles Spurgeon. “Anxiety is a lot like a toddler. It never stops talking, tells you that you are wrong about everything, and wakes you up at 3 a.m.” ~ Unknown. Tomorrow, we will study Paul’s victory tips so that we will not fall into the dangers of anxiety.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
John 14:1, John 14:27, and Luke 12:29-30
PRAYER:
+ Lord, give me the presence of mind to quickly arrest my thoughts when they wander into anxiety.
+ I shut down every voice or picture in my head that creates fear, uncertainty, or a hopeless future, in Jesus’ name.
