“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 NKJV
anx·i·e·ty /aNGˈzīədē/ noun: anxiety; plural noun: anxieties 1. a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome
Anyone struggling with anxiety? Anyone feeling uneasy and hopeless? Anyone feel like things are just not going well for you in life? Whether you have been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, like I have been, or just really anxious, I want you to know that you are not alone. I want you to know that it does not define you. Thankfully, the Word of God gives us a guide on how to combat feelings of anxiety.
I am not sure who this is for, but, I know this is a word that I needed this week and continue to need daily. You, the person reading this, know the things that make you worry. It can be work, life, family, future goals, love life, everything under the sun. However, I want to share a few things with you that I try to refer to in the Word of God, that helps to me stay grounded.
Let’s turn together to Matthew 6:25-34 NIV. It’s a little lengthy and if you’re anything like me, I hate reading. BUT, let’s try to stick with it.
What I love about this scripture is the truth and reality of it. The Word says, we should not worry about ANYTHING in our lives. NOT ONE THING. But if you continue to read, you see that the Word talks about how LIFE is more than food and clothes. As you continue to read, you see that the Word says that if God can take care of the birds in the skies and make sure they have food, WHY NOT YOU? Every time I read that verse, it always hits me in the chest.
The Word continues to say that “Are you not much more valuable than they?”. The subsequent verse is another verse that “hits different”. The Word says, can you add another hour to your life by worrying? We all know the answer. You can’t! I know that when you are going through a rough time and things do not feel certain, it feels very natural to be worried. I am a huge planner, because I like to be able to project the outcome. But, that cannot always be the case.
One might ask, well, what do you mean, don’t worry? Why shouldn’t I worry about tomorrow? Then how will I plan for the future? As the Book of Matthew continues to say, tomorrow is not promised and today has its own worries. Also know that, it is wonderful to plan, however, God’s plans for our life always prevails as we continue to commit our ways to him (Psalm 37:5). We also know that God has plans to prosper us (Jeremiah 29:11).
So, what’s the formula? Verse 33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” I know this may feel harder than rocket science itself. I really hear you and understand. Sometimes, I find myself wondering where God is, where the plans that he speaks of are, if they are out for delivery or still being packaged. However, I try to reassure myself that as I am seeking him and chasing after him and focusing on living a life worthy of the Kingdom of God, he will take care of me, just like the birds in the sky.
Relinquishing control is not an easy thing. Trusting is not an easy thing either. But worrying does not do us any justice either. The God that we serve is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all we can ask for (Ephesians 3:20). Another verse I use to manage my own anxiety is a word in Ecclesiastics. It says: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastics 3:1 NIV).
I want to leave you with this. Anxiety can be difficult to deal with. The Word of God doesn’t talk about it for NO reason. God knows it’s a struggle for us. What I have learned is, sometimes we can be so anxious about something or for something and often times, it creates sadness, worry and fear in our lives. I have come to learn that there is a time for everything. I can worry myself sick in attempts to make that time come faster, or “work” my way to get to whatever goal I want. However, that doesn’t mean that it will happen at the right time and that my anxiety will automatically go away. If COVID-19 has taught me anything, it is that I can plan all day long, but God really has all the plans for my life in his hands.
Let’s share a prayer together:
I do not want anything out of schedule, or out of the time that you God have created. I have had too many instances where I went ahead of you and the end result was not great. Father God, may you help me to put my trust in you, may you help me to stay calm and manage my worries and may you take away all my cares and burdens. Whatever thoughts that come in my mind to discourage me, to worry me or to distress me, I call on your name Jesus and I ask that you remove them. Father, give me a spirit of hope, a spirit of trust and spirit of patience to wait for your plans to manifest in my life. Father, give me a spirit of joy and happiness. Give me a spirit of gratitude. Help me to redirect my focus and my thoughts and keep my eyes on you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Sincerely Yours, Lydia.