GOD'S PRESCRIPTION FOR ANXIETY

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Anxiety is a major mental health problem in our society and has been so for quite some time now. Life is hard and it offers any number of things for a person to be concerned over.

Take a look at our present times in the United States, for example. Inflation is out of control, resulting in drastically increased prices for gasoline and groceries, common staples for most people. And since it’s estimated that 60 percent of the population live from paycheck to paycheck, you can easily see how budgets are being severely impacted bringing associated increased stress and worry levels, stress and worry that impact a person’s mental and physical health as well as strain relationships. Maybe you can relate as you read this today.

Health issues can also raise a person’s level of anxiousness. We recently went through a pandemic of unprecedented proportion, at least in my lifetime. We were told to socially distance from one another and wear masks to prevent infection spreading. Some who already had health issues were already medically compromised, elevating fear and worry even more. Many refused to even go out of their home for fear of contracting the virus. All and all, it was a period of time steeped in prolonged anxiety that many have still not recovered from.

Of course, there are other health problems that raise levels of apprehension and fright in people. Receiving a diagnosis of diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, or dementia can be life altering for the afflicted person and those who love them. And while some conditions are very treatable, nonetheless, the increased risk of fatality is still very real and possible which weighs on the mind and heart.

Finances and health are just two of the most common reasons a person might struggle with anxiety. You could throw in loss of a loved one, struggling relationships, unemployment, an unhealthy work environment, or low self esteem. There is really no shortage of things that can trigger our worries.

Given this, here’s the thing we need to keep in mind. No one will ever go through life without experiencing worry, stress, fear, or anxiousness. It’s innate to the human experience and so we should all be grateful that God has provided us with a two verse prescription to treat these emotions with they come. And if truly put into practice, these two verses will treat an afflicted person better than any drug or counselor. Here they are:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7

The first thing we need to realize in God’s prescription for anxiety is that it’s not optional. Our Great Physician demands that we not be “anxious about anything” and when God gives an order as the One with supreme authority over us, we are obligated to comply.

Now, God could have just left us with a demand and added nothing else. He said it and we are to do it. But our Lord doesn’t always function this way as He works to help His created people. In cases like this prescription, He not only tells you what to do but how to do it.

How are we to not be anxious about anything?

God simply tells us to trust Him, to trust the One who is capable of doing any and all things. In fact, why would we ever place our faith and trust in anyone or anything else? And yet, that’s exactly what we do all too often.

Is it any wonder why we don’t find relief and release from our anxiety, worry, stress, and/or fears?

God’s guidance is clear. Don’t take your problems to anyone except Him. He awaits your prayers and petitions, offered up as requests grounded in thanksgiving, and stands ready to take action on your behalf. He has promised this and He never fails to keep His promises.

What does the anxious person have to gain by placing their full reliance on God?

We find the scriptures providing us the answer.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. v.7

Trust God with all your problems and in return He will give you peace.

Isn’t that what a person immersed in anxiety craves the most?

A peace of mind that defies anything this world might offer or even comprehend, a perfect peace from a perfect God.  

And as if that wasn’t enough, God will ensure that the anxieties, worries, stresses, and fears don’t return because He will guard the afflicted person’s heart and mind in and through His Son Jesus. What greater security system could a person have in life?

So there you have it. God has put in place a prescription and associated remedy for us so we need not ever be anxious about anything ever again. All we need to do is put His words into action as we answer His command.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it. Send any prayer requests to Gods4all@aol.com