“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 through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
“That’s NO WAY to live,” is what my husband has told me many times when I was in one of my anxious states and complaining to him that I didn’t know how to change it. He would tell me just to not think about it, but I knew I was going to think about something and my mind had been trained to anxiously think on whatever it was I was trying to control. How much time and energy I have wasted on trying to control every detail of my life. I don’t want this for you. There is a much better way, but you are going to have to guard your mind and firmly believe that you can be anxious for nothing if you do it God’s way.
You can make decisions, have concerns, face challenges, solve problems, and calmly do it all without worry. I have found that worry is a result of fear of what may or may not happen by something you are trying to control. Here is the reality of your life…. the only thing you can control is your faithfulness to God, and it is that faithfulness to God that will keep you from worry. Every time you are distressed, get rid of those unproductive thoughts by replacing them with prayer and supplication to your Father whilst thanking Him for the things that are working right in your life with faith that no matter what happens, you are kept safe in Christ. This is where true peace is found especially when what you are challenged with is beyond understanding.
Think about what you have faced in life thus far and all the things that have been resolved that you were anxious about. Couldn’t you have worked through the problem and come to the same or possibly a better solution without the anxiety? Was fretting over it worth your time and energy? What if you could patiently work through your concerns and reduce or eliminate that anxious habit? You most certainly can, but it takes a lifetime of commitment to transforming and renewing your mind (Rom. 12:2). This means diligently seeking your Creator daily so you can grow to fully trust, with deep conviction, that you are protected in Christ no matter what happens. As God’s faithful servant, nothing and no one can take this from you, and it is this confidence that will guard your heart and your mind for you to prayerfully live your days with thankfulness, abundant joy, and peace. Now, that’s THE WAY to live!
Prayer:
My God, whenever I am anxious I will trust in You. In You, alone, I know I find true peace and comfort. My commitment to You is my confidence because You are my Protector through Christ. Whatever I face in my life I will come to You in prayer, making my request, and always thanking You for all of my blessings. I seek daily to live a life free from worry remembering that the only thing I can control is my devotion to You and that it’s through this devotion that I will guard my heart and mind even when I can’t make sense of circumstances. I believe that I can be anxious for nothing because I will strive for it as You have instructed, but I ask You to forgive me as I work to renew my mind to overcome this habit. Thank You for Your grace and mercy in Christ where I can be made perfect in spite of these shortcomings. In Him, Amen.
Truth in love,
Heather
Truth in Love 