Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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 minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 6-7
I had a different plan for a post, but with everything that is going on in the world, I just feel we need to talk about our hearts and minds.
The world recently feels like it’s spinning out of control, and overnight our country has changed, people have changed, and our hearts and minds have become more afraid, and anxious. Distancing ourselves from others and our normal routines have intensified those feelings even more.
How can we get peace back amidst all the craziness that is going on? Especially since we don’t know what the days ahead will look like.
God has laid it out step by step with this verse about anxiety.
Are you ready to have a verse planted in your heart that will help you for the rest of your life? A verse you can always go to when you feel the effects of anxiety physically, emotionally and spiritually? Then let’s dig in and let your life be changed!
Why I love this verse
This is one of my many “life verses” that I cherish. God gave me this verse on my last day of living in China. I had lived there for three years and was ready to come back home and filled with a lot of anxiety. I had opened my Bible as the movers were packing boxes and this verse literally jumped out of my Bible like a shooting arrow and was planted deep in my heart. I had it memorized in a matter of seconds and it has never left me. God knew I would need this verse for not only coming back home but for the rest of my life.
When you unpack this verse and hear God’s heart in it, it will become an anchor for your soul. The promise that He makes will calm you and bring you peace if you let it take root in your heart.
Are you ready to learn how to be done with anxiety? Let’s draw near to God and hear what he has to say about our hearts and minds.
Do not be anxious about anything
When a verse starts with “Do not” its pretty clear. This isn’t a”try not to be” it’s a DO NOT. This is a command. God wants your attention! Not only does He say to not be anxious, but you aren’t supposed to be anxious about ANYTHING.
Ok, that’s a tall order! There is a lot we can be anxious about! Let’s move on and get some further instruction from the Lord!
But in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving
Ok, now its getting clearer! In EVERYTHING, we are to pray and ask. Pray about what’s causing you the anxiety, and talk it all out with God. Lay it all out before Him, then ask Him for His intervention. Acknowledge that you need Him. You need His help with whatever is causing you sleepless nights and a jittery stomach. When all that is said and done, find thanksgiving in it. This is where your heart starts to change.
Bringing your prayers before Him, knowing that He hears and cares is enough to flood your heart with thanksgiving. The God of the universe knows your name! When that makes its way into your heart and mind, thanksgiving will flow from your lips.
Present your requests to God
Lay it ALL at His feet. ALL the fear, and ALL the anxiety. He will lovingly take it from you.
And the peace of God which transcends all understanding
This is a peace that the world cannot ever give you. It’s beyond comprehension. I have experienced this firsthand in some pretty hard situations in my life. Once you have experienced it, your heart will always long for that peace, and you know the only one who can give it to you. The circumstances that have caused the anxiety can still be there but your feet are firm and your heart is steadied on the unshakable Rock of God.
Will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Oh, how I love this! Its a picture of Jesus standing guard over your heart and mind not letting anxiety find its way back in. This is so powerful and such a picture of how much God loves you! He is protecting those areas He knows where anxiety can get a hold of you. He stands guard to protect these precious areas of your life.
Anxiety will always try to find its way back into your life and make you shakable, but with Jesus standing guard over you, anxiety is going to be stopped in its tracks!
This is what I want for you!
Starting today when you feel the anxiety starting to creep into your life, repeat this verse until it makes it way into your heart and mind. It has the power to settle you, and bring you that beautiful peace that transcends all understanding.
This verse can be a life preserver for you. With all, that’s going on in the world today we all need something that is steadfast and true that we can turn to. That is God and His Word. Memorize this verse and say it often to yourself. It will transform you and the way you live.
Anxiety and handwashing!
With this crazy virus going on, it’s all about the handwashing! Instead of saying the recommended “Happy Birthday” twice while you’re washing your hands, say this verse instead! Think of how many times a day you will be reminding yourself to not be anxious!
Friends the days are uncertain…we never know what will happen next, but one thing is for sure. God is in control. He is the firm foundation on which you can stand. Don’t let the world shake you and toss you around with anxiety and fear. Fight back with God’s Word! Protect your heart and mind by starting with this verse. It will serve you well.
Until next time, do not be anxious about anything,
~pat
