“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Philippians 4:6
A few days ago I woke up with this scripture on my mind, it felt like I was quoting it as I woke up. Then other words began to come and I realized I needed to hurry up and write this down! Has this ever happened to you? Where you wake up with a word, scripture, song on your heart or in your spirit? This week I wanted to share these thoughts with you.
We are told to be anxious for nothing. Yet how many times do we say “Oh, you’re making me so nervous”, “This scared me”, “I’m so nervous about __xyz__”, or just get anxious and worried about things.
If we read on (I recommend going there and reading Philippians 4:4-9), in the next few verses it goes on to explain that we should not be anxious about anything and that in every situation we should give it to God with thanksgiving. Already thanking Him for the answer. Then the peace of God, which passes all our understanding, will guard our hearts and minds. It will cover our minds and thoughts.
Verses 8 and 9 tell us what our minds should be focused on. Let these things listed be your “test” for thoughts that come that may cause anxiety. Is it true? I like that this one is first. Let’s say a fleeting thought comes to your mind. First, stop and think, is it true? If not, no need to go on. Lay it down, thank the Lord for covering your mind, and move on. Is it noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praise-worthy?
This is so easy to say. Such an easy point to make but in the moment, when it feels like there is a cloud and all these thoughts are racing, it’s not so easy to remember. Sometimes, you just don’t want to. Sometimes we are so used to worrying or being anxious that we don’t want to, or don’t quite know how to, “Be anxious for nothing.” But we have to remember, we have to get it in our heads, that no matter what He is still good. No matter what, I will praise Him. Every time the thought comes, lay it before Him. No matter how long it takes; hours, days, weeks, months. He is still good. Get in your Word. Read your Bible. Whether you feel like it or not, do it.
I’ve had to remind myself about this several times (more than several… maybe like several times daily) in the past few months. Even today as I was at work thinking of this blog post and that I needed to upload it I was thinking about the content. Later in the day, my mind went to something and I felt this anxiety creeping up. I smiled and thought “Thank you, Jesus, for such a timely message.” If it’s happening to me I’m sure I’m not alone.
Remind yourself.
Take some time and read Psalm 103 then remind yourself of all that God has done for you. If you journal, write them down. We over come by the “blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony” remember what He has done for you.
If you’re willing, leave a comment below of something the Lord has done for you recently! He is good!
In my walk with the Lord, I have come to realize that the more I press in to Him…witness more, read my Bible more, commit to prayer, the enemy steps up his game. He fires more arrows at my thoughts, thinking I will fall for the same tactics he’s been using for years. Once we call him out and remind him he has no place in our lives…the lies stop. Thank you Brittany again for a timely Word!
Amen. The enemy is fine when you’re passively sitting and not actively working for the Lord. Once you start pressing in and drawing closer, choosing Jesus, He gets mad. We have to call things as what they are, identify the enemy and rebuke him.