Be Anxious for Nothing

As you know, God never commands us to do something unless we can obey Him. So, in contrast to the big lie (e.g. something or someone made you anxious), here’s the big truth: You have always been in total and complete control of your anxiety. At all times and under every circumstance, you can always choose not to activate your anxiety. God granted that freedom to all of us. Please note: The only exception to this is if your anxiety is drug-related or chemical-related.

If you are like the rest of us, you struggle with anxiety and worry from time to time. Don’t you? Since you do, how would you like proven anxiety answers that work every single time? So what, then, is God’s answer to our anxieties and worries? Let’s take a look at each part of Philippians 4:6-8. You won’t have to look anywhere else beyond this short Bible passage to find the answer.

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. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.

In only three verses, God lays out three steps that, if followed, will work for you – 100 percent of the time! In fact, if you are anxious right now, use them and experience a stunning victory in only a few moments.

3 Steps to Anxiety-Free Living

STEP #1 What to do when you are anxious (your part).
You must pray to God about your situation.

STEP #2 What God will do with your anxiety if you do your part (His part).
God will intervene when you prayerfully invite Him into the situation that is making you anxious.

STEP #3 What to do to become “anxiety-resistant” in the future.
Most important of all, you must thank God for the very thing that is surfacing your anxiety.

When you are filled with anxiety and pray with thanksgiving about that very discomforting circumstance, then God supernaturally intervenes in your life and gives you a priceless gift: “the peace of God.” God doesn’t increase your peace; instead, He gives you His peace. You don’t generate your own peace; God actively gifts His peace to you right then, in your present difficult moment. You don’t need to ask God for His peace, but if you meet His requirements, He will always respond by keeping His end of the arrangement.

Underscore in your mind this truth: Anxiety is your response to a situation and not the situation itself. This passage reveals the twofold response of God to our anxieties. First, God pours out a surpassing peace into our lives in the present; and second, God stands guard to ensure His peace remains in your life in this area.

…

This is an excerpt from Bruce Wilkinson’s book Prayers for Freedom Over Worry and Anxiety, © 2017 by Bruce Wilkinson and Heather Hair. Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon. www.harvesthousepublishers.com. Used by Permission.

Order your copy of Prayers for Freedom over Worry and Anxiety by Bruce Wilkinson and Heather Hair