Anxiety.

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6

Webster defines anxious as: “afraid or nervous, especially about what may happen : feeling anxiety”. We are commanded not to be afraid or worried about what might happen. Because of the presence of God, believers are to be anxious for nothing. Nothing is outside of His sovereign control or too difficult for Him to handle. There is nothing that can happen to a believer outside the will of God. General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was a devoted follower of Christ and rested in the sovereignty of God. When asked if he was fearful of dying in battle, he     replied, “I feel as safe during a battle as I do in bed.”

When we worry about what might happen, we are doubting God. Jesus told His disciples,  “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.   Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows ( Matthew 10:29-31).” I find deep comfort in the sovereignty of God. I belong to Him, and nothing can snatch me out of His hand. Be at peace, fellow believers. God has not given us a   spirit of fear but of power and love, and self-control ( 1 Timothy 1:7).

Paul gives us the cure for anxiety in our lives in three steps.

First step, Take your concerns to God in prayer, whatever     they might be. Put them at his feet. He wants to have a  conversation with you, and he wants to hear what is on  your heart and causing your anxiety, so don’t hold back.

Second step, Bring your request before the Lord and let them be known to God. The writer in Hebrews tells us, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (4:16)”.

Third step, Let your request be known with thanksgiving. First Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” We are to be thankful for the things we like and the circumstances we don’t like. When we thank God for everything He allows to come into our lives, we don’t make a home for bitterness. We cannot be both thankful and bitter at the same time.

We can have thankful hearts toward God even when we do not feel thankful for the circumstance. We can grieve and still be thankful. We can hurt and still be thankful. We can be angry at sin and still be thankful toward God.

Do you want to live a life free from worry and fear? Trust God, knowing that He will take care of you till the day He calls you home.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark