Paul's Antidote to Anxiety!



Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 This is a classic verse and a good one to memorize.  One thing most everyone experiences on a daily basis is anxiety.  And often anxiety can lead to depression.  Anxiety comes from an expected negative outcome that feels out of our control.  Anxiety can be very debilitating.  Paul's antidote to anxiety is prayer.  

 Notice Paul says, "Don't be anxious about anything".  This is not a suggestion but a command.  Then Paul says, "But in every situation in petition and prayer present your requests to God."  Note Paul says "every situation". Sometimes we think we can only come to God when we are at the end of our rope, but Paul admonishes us to take all of our anxiety producing concerns to God.  Paul says to present your requests to God with thanksgiving.  What does this mean?

 When we pray it is good to give thanks for what we already have.  Being thankful about how God has already provided for you will help you to trust that God will be faithful to provide for all of your needs.  Finally, Paul gives an incredible promise which is an outcome of giving God our anxieties through prayer.

 Paul states, "A peace which passes all understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  The peace Paul is talking about comes directly from Christ.  It is the peace the Resurrected Jesus gave to his disciples when he said, "My peace I give you, not as the world gives."  Jesus' peace comes to us in spite of our circumstances.  It is beyond our understanding, because it doesn't make sense how we can be at peace when stress is surrounding us.  This is promise God makes through Christ, and God always keeps His promises. 

 I have found that whatever I am going through, if I take it to the Lord in prayer, I always come out more at peace.  If nothing else I know Jesus is with me as I go through the trial.  

 The great old hymn, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" says, "Oh the peace we often forfeit because we do not take it to the Lord in prayer."

 Are you facing anxiety today? Don't forfeit the peace Jesus promised you.  Take it to the Lord in prayer!

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