Anxiety feels as though you have been chained to wild horses that are trying to pull you apart. That’s strong language, but it’s an accurate expression of how we feel when we’re anxious.
What do you do with anxiety? It’s a question that cries for an answer. How do you handle anxiety? What would God say?
God’s antidote for anxiety begins with, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
God says bring everything to Him. Get it all out. He wants to hear it. He cares. He loves you. God promises to guard your heart and mind with His perfect peace. As often as you feel anxious, tell God about it and give it to Him.
Next, God’s antidote calls for you to redirect your thinking. Philippians 4:8 reads, “Finally, Brothers, whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”
Once you’ve given your worries to God, don’t dwell on them. Begin to focus and give yourself to new thoughts and ideas. God says, “Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:5). Guard what you read, what you listen to, what you watch. What you fill your heart and mind with, you will become! “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7).
God’s antidote for anxiety finishes with a call to action. “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9).
In other words, get busy with what is right and possible! Don’t sit home wringing your hands afraid to act. Dr. Henry Link says, “We generate fears while we sit, we overcome our fears by action. Fear is nature’s warning signal for us to get busy.” In other words, “Do what’s right, feel good later”!
Give your cares to God because He cares for you, and you will have His promise: “The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:7).
Valley Community Church is located at 25222 Wiley Canyon Road in Newhall. For more information, please call 661-259-4366 and visit www.valleycommunitychurch.com or Facebook.