Philippians 4:6-9 NLT
[6] “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
We love this Scripture, don’t we! When problems come, we run back to it for comfort and reassurance. We revel in God’s peace when we turn over our anxieties and worries to Him. We trust Him and we wait in joyful anticipation for His response to our cries for help but….
We stop there! We don’t pursue the greater blessing of what follows if we do what Paul tells us to do.
Anxiety, first, is an attitude that settles into a state of mind. Anxiety becomes a diagnosed ‘disorder’ when we allow our troubles and problems to dominate our thinking. We endure ‘panic attacks’ and swallow medication because it’s all part id the ‘disorder’ of which we are the unfortunate victims.
Paul gives us a solution to the anxieties and worries that control us. Change your thinking. Since we cannot think two thoughts at the same time, (especially two opposite thoughts!), we can teach ourselves to focus on positive, good, helpful thoughts by yhe simple discipline of our minds. Push anxious thoughts (lies) out by thinking about what is true and right, helpful, and good.
[8] “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. [9] Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”
Did you notice the outcome of changed thinking? “THEN THE GOD OF PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU.” When the Bible states that God will be with you, it means much more that His passive presence. It implies His active intervention to bless and prosper you.
Genesis 39:2 NLT
[2] “The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master.”
1 Samuel 18:14 NLT
[14] “David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the Lord was with him.”
What a promise! Since what we think has such a powerful influence over what we become, the key to getting rid of anxiety, and experiencing both God’s peace and His favour is simple, if not easy.
Romans 12:2 NLT
[2]”Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
How do we change the way we think? We do it by filling our minds with the truth of God’s promises. There is a promise in the Word for every issues we face. Let me give you an example.
Financial problems?
Philippians 4:18-19 NLT
[18]”At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. [19] And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
Do you get it? There is an answer to financial needs in the Bible.
Luke 6:38 NLT
[38]”Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
Generosity begets generosity. And so with every other issue we face. Anxiety gets us nowhere. Changing our thinking will change our circumstances. It’s a daily walk of faith in God and a partnership where He, the senior partner, takes care of all our issues when we think the right thoughts.