ANXIETY.
When we truly trust that God is in control, knowing His promises are true, we may have cares, thoughts, concerns, worries, and anxieties, but they should not control us
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Philippians 4:6 NLT
Pray about everything.
Talk to God about EVERYTHING. Thank God for EVERYTHING He has done. There is not a problem that is bigger than God. There is not one issue that surprises Him or that He cannot handle.
Father, when life is presenting us with reasons to worry, let Your Love remind us to place those anxieties in Your very capable Hands and leave them there. Thank You for being Faithful and Trustworthy in every circumstance. In the Mighty Name of Jesus, Amen! ...
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,”
James 1:2 NASB1995
https://www.bible.com/100/jas.1.2.nasb1995
The Sneak Attack
Worry creeps into your mind
Like a thief in the night
Worry always feels like a sneak attack to me.
but don't you wish panic was not the first response? For me, it seems like any time something out of the ordinary comes up, my mind automatically jumps to analyzing every possible worst scenario. Then, those scenarios play over and over again in my mind on a loop until the situation seems hopeless. Does that ever happen to you?
The more we feed anxiety, the bigger it grows. But, it really is useless.
Like Jesus said, "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?" Luke 12:25-26 NLT
So, the best way to stop the sneak attack of anxiety and not let worry win is to surrender to God's Will.
This doesn't mean you are not responsible for your actions, mistakes, or choices that lead to worrisome circumstances, it means you take a realistic look at what you actually have any control over. Once we admit that only God is fully in control, we can submit to His Plan.
There's no need to stress about what God's already got worked out. God knows exactly what you are going through (keyword: through), exactly when He will get you through, exactly how He will guide you through, and exactly where you will grow while you go through (Romans 5:3-5).
Heavenly Father, when worry, fear and anxiety try to attack us and steal our joy and peace, please remind us that You are in control. Please guide us with Your Truth and drown out the lies that worry whispers. Help us to surrender to Your Will in every situation, knowing that You have every answer we need. Thank You for getting us through. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen!
“The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.”
Psalms 29:11 NASB1995
https://www.bible.com/100/psa.29.11.nasb1995
“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5 NASB1995
https://www.bible.com/100/rom.5.3-5.nasb1995
The Savior's Abilities
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
God is faithful and He will take care of you…
God is able to carry, carry you through
As I mentioned before, worry is the result of not trusting God.
God doesn't promise us happiness. Happiness depends on what happens. It's a reaction to favorable circumstances.
God does promise joy (Psalm 30:5). Joy is different from happiness. Joy is a lifestyle. Joy exists regardless of circumstances. Joy is a choice. Joy is choosing to trust that God is faithful no matter what our lives look like.
Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? Matthew 6:26, 28-30 NLT
And, if we trust Him, there is no need for worry. Trust and worry cannot co-exist.
* We trust God because He is faithful. (Psalm 118:29; 2 Thessalonians 3:3)
* We trust God because His faithfulness is great. (Lamentations 3:23)
* We trust God because He is forever faithful. (James 1:17; Hebrews 13:8)
* We trust God because He is able to see us through any circumstance. (Psalm 23:4)
Because God is trustworthy, there's no need to trust our worries.
Lord, thank You that You are faithful even when we are not. We praise You because you are the same yesterday, today, and forever. help us remember Your Faithfulness. Help us remember how much You care for us. Help us to overcome our worries by trusting in You alone. In the Precious Name of Jesus, Amen!
““For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 NASB1995
https://www.bible.com/100/isa.55.8-9.nasb1995
“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
Psalms 118:29 NASB1995
https://www.bible.com/100/psa.118.29.nasb1995
“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”
2 Thessalonians 3:3 NASB1995
https://www.bible.com/100/2th.3.3.nasb1995
“They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:23 NASB1995
https://www.bible.com/100/lam.3.23.nasb1995
“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”
James 1:17 NASB1995
https://www.bible.com/100/jas.1.17.nasb1995
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 NASB1995
https://www.bible.com/100/heb.13.8.nasb1995
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 NASB1995
https://www.bible.com/100/heb.13.8.nasb1995
The Simple Answer
Cast all your cares on Him
Kneel and pray, just give thanks, and keep believin'
In fact, this command, not guideline or preference, appears in the Old and New Testaments (Psalm 55:22; 1 Peter 5:7). So, obviously, He really means it. And, God wants them all; the great and the small.
God wants us to bring every care to Him; not just the ones we cannot handle ourselves. God is not too busy. We are not bothering Him. Yes, God loves our adoration and praise. Yes, He longs for our confession and repentance. But, God also listens to our every care, every desire, every need, and every obstacle. Why? Peter says, "for He cares for you." God’s love for us is so great, and, as if sending His Son to die for our sins was not enough, He wants a real, intimate relationship with us where we talk to Him about all the things. So, once we realize that we can bring all of our cares to God, the next step is simply to do it.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Philippians 4:6 NLT
God doesn't just say "don't be anxious"; He tells us what to do instead. Pray. Pray about everything. Prayer is a simple conversation with God. Tell Him what's on your mind; what's troubling your heart. But, it doesn't have to be all doom and gloom. Also, think about how God has blessed you. Thank Him. There's nothing you can say to God that will shock or surprise Him. He already knows, but because of His Love and Grace, He wants to spend time with us.
This prayer time is not about giving God your wish list (or worry lists) and then suggesting to Him how to fix everything. This is about seeking God's face, spending time in His presence, and submitting to His Will. God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. He knows exactly what He's doing and when and how and why. Our job is to simply trust Him. When we reflect back on what He has done, we're sure to realize that He's always worked things out for our good.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the simple answer to anxiety. Thank You for listening to all of our cares. Thank You for desiring a real relationship with us, so that we don't have to be afraid to bring anything and everything to You. Lord, please help us lay it all down and leave it with You. In Jesus' Holy Name, Amen!
“Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.”
Psalms 55:22 NASB1995
https://www.bible.com/100/psa.55.22.nasb1995
“casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7 NASB1995
https://www.bible.com/100/1pe.5.7.nasb1995
The Solution To Anxiety
Why does God expect us to be anxious for nothing? Because He gives us the solution to anxiety. The anxiety antidote is rejoicing. Finding joy in our journey takes away anxiety's power over us.
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Philippians 4:4 NLT
Sometimes, I wonder why God had Paul repeat that we need to rejoice. Then, I remember that we probably need the reiteration.
When we fully acknowledge the joy found in Jesus, we realize that we don't have to crumble or shatter when facing difficult trials. It's not that we should deny our feelings, but we can process those feelings in light of the fact that God will work it out.
When doubts filled my mind, Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. Psalms 94:19 NLT
It's when we acknowledge that our circumstance isn't good, but God still is that we can be filled with hope and cheer rather than anxiety. In fact, the Bible says that when we pray about everything with thanksgiving, bringing our cares, concerns, worries, and anxieties to God, we will experience His Comfort; His Peace that transcends all comprehension. (Philippians 4:7).
Rejoicing in Who God is and what He's done, praising Him, thanking Him, and talking openly to Him about whatever is causing our anxiety is the solution to anxiety. Don't you worry about a thing. God can and will hear and answer your prayers. Find joy in knowing that He is faithful and He is capable of handling any and everything that comes your way. He is not surprised by anything you have to say.
God, please forgive us for relying on ourselves instead of rejoicing in You. Lord, please help us to not forfeit the peace that passes all understanding by holding on to anxiety. Remind us that anxiety has no use other than prompting us to pray to You and praise You for all You've done, are doing, and will do in our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen!
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”
Philippians 4:4 NASB1995
https://www.bible.com/100/php.4.4.nasb1995
“When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.”
Psalms 94:19 NASB1995
https://www.bible.com/100/psa.94.19.nasb1995
“But the LORD has been my stronghold, And my God the rock of my refuge.”
Psalms 94:22 NASB1995
https://www.bible.com/100/psa.94.22.nasb1995
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7 NASB1995
https://www.bible.com/100/php.4.7.nasb1995
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