Dealing with Anxiety and Worry

Chuckle: Driving along I-90, just west of Chicago, I passed a sign posted by the police department: "Report drivers using a cell phone. Please call *99." --Lane Martin

Quote: "Trust God for the unexpected, and let him surprise you by doing the unexplainable." –Unknown source

"Do not worry (be anxious) about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT).

"A doctor had to give a painful shot to a four-year-old girl. When she learned what the doctor was about to do, her face showed her anxiety and her body tensed. As the doctor picked up what looked to the little girl to be a needle large enough to kill an elephant, she turned her eyes to her father, who then took her hand and fixed his eyes on hers. An expression of confidence and calmness came on her face. She knew she was not alone and found comfort, not in her father's spoken answer, but in his presence with her in her time of trial."

Just imagine never worrying or being anxious about anything ever again! We are tempted to say this is an impossibility; all of us have worries and anxieties in our professional life, our homes, at school, etc. God understands our tendencies to worry and fret, but Paul tells us to turn our worries into prayers. If you want to worry less, then pray more. I believe God intends for worry and prayer to be mutually exclusive. Maybe you are anxious about a financial matter, the health of your child, a rebellious child, your own health, etc. Any situation in life which we see as threatening to our peace and contentment can bring on anxiety and worry. Some people even suffer from panic attacks brought on by extreme anxiety, worry, fear, etc.

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says to us, "So don't worry about everyday life -- whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing? . . . Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not" (Matthew 6:25, 27 NLT). Here, Jesus is telling us he is aware of everything we need and promises to meet our needs. To worry is to deny the power of God in our lives, according to Dr. Edward Poldosky. God's Word gives us assurance that he will care for us and meet our every need. When we fail to live by this promise, worry and anxiety creep into our lives and destroy our peace of mind.

God's peace is much different from the worlds peace. Jesus said, "I am leaving you with a gift -- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid" (John 14:27 NLT). True God-given peace is not found in positive thinking, the absence of conflict, or in good feelings. This peace comes from the assurance that God is in complete control and that our citizenship in his kingdom is sealed and sure. God wants you to let him guard your heart and mind against anxiety every day of your life. Just stop worrying, spend more time praying, and experience God's supernatural peace.

Love, Jerry & Dotse