Pass all your anxiety on God, Philippians 4: 6-7
Much of our worries and anxieties come from focusing on circumstances, problems and what ifs of this life. Of course, it is true that anxiety is physiological in nature and may require medical attention, but the daily anxiety that most believers face is generally rooted in this thing: unbelief.
Key verse: Philippians 4: 6–7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in all with prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving make known your requests to God. And the peace of God, which exceeds all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (ESV)
Cast all your anxiety on him
George Mueller, the XNUMXth century evangelist, was known as a man of great faith and prayer. He said: "The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety." It has also been said that the concern is unbelief in disguise.
Jesus Christ presents the cure for anxiety: faith in God expressed through prayer:
“So I say to you, do not be anxious about your life, about what you will eat or what you drink, nor for your body, for what you will wear. Is life no more than food and the body more than clothes? Look to the birds of heaven: they do not sow or reap or harvest in barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Don't you have more value than them? And who of you, being anxious, can add just one hour to your life span? ... So don't be anxious, saying, "What should we eat?" or "What should we drink?" or "What should we wear?" Because the Gentiles seek all these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need all of them. But seek first the kingdom of God and his justice, and all these things will be added to you. " (Matthew 6: 25-33, ESV)
Jesus could have summed up the whole lesson with these two sentences: “Pass on all your anxiety to God the Father. Show that you trust him by bringing everything to him in prayer. "
Throw your worries about God
The apostle Peter said, "Give him all the anxiety because he takes care of you." (1 Peter 5: 7, NIV) The word "cast" means to cast. We release our worries and throw them on the great shoulders of God. God himself will take care of our needs. We give our concerns to God through prayer. The book of James tells us that the prayers of believers are powerful and effective:
Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16, NIV)
The apostle Paul taught the Philippians that prayer cures anxiety. According to Paul in our key verse (Philippians 4: 6-7), our prayers should be filled with thanksgiving and gratitude. God answers this type of prayer with his supernatural peace. When we trust in God with all care and concern, it invades us with divine peace. It's the kind of peace that we can't understand, but it protects our hearts and minds - from anxiety.
Concern Zaps Our strength
Have you ever noticed how worry and anxiety reduce your strength? You wake up the night full of worries. Instead, when worries start filling your mind, put those problems in God's capable hands. The Lord will tend to your worries by satisfying the need or giving you something better. God's sovereignty means that our prayers can be answered far beyond what we can ask or imagine:
Now all the glory to God, who is able, through his powerful power to work in us, to accomplish infinitely more than we could ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20, NLT)
Take a moment to recognize your anxiety for what it really is - a symptom of disbelief. Remember that the Lord knows your needs and sees your circumstances. Now he is with you, he is going through your trials with you and he holds your tomorrow firmly in his grip. Turn to God in prayer and trust him completely. This is the only lasting cure for anxiety.