Be Anxious for nothing? Are you Kidding?

In a quick summary of Matthew 6:19-34 Jesus tells us that worry robs us of life because when we worry it shows a lack of faith and that our utmost affections have been placed on things other than Him. He tells us that our Father in Heaven knows what we need so set our utmost affections above and He will meet all of our needs. In Philippians 4:6 the Apostle Paul addresses an issue in the church that is synonymous to worry, anxiety. Anxiety is defined as an emotion that is experienced in anticipation of some (usually ill-defined) misfortune.

The first portion of Philippians 4:6 says, "Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything"...(AMP) God's Word tells us not fret or have any anxiety about ANYTHING." Should not a believers response be, "Yes LORD, you said do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, so I am going to commit myself to do what Your Word tells me do. I choose not to fret or have any anxiety about anything?” Most definitely! This is faith in action.

The next portion Philippians 4:6 “...But in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.”(AMP) reveals how we deal with anxiety. So a believers response should be accordingly, “LORD I am taking this problem and turning it over to You. I thank you for the answer. It is no longer my problem, I gave it to you and you will work it out. Romans 8:28 tells us, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

This truly is an easy thing to do. However, for most believers it really isn't easy. Many believers have been raised in a family where a parent, family member or someone they were close to were worriers and they themselves have adopted the same habit. We also know that the devil will use his arsenal to rob people from believing God because worry/anxiety manifests where there is a lack of faith. What do we do? We trust God and stand on His Word with a response something like this, "LORD I am giving you this problem and I am not going to take this problem back, I give it to you, it is your problem, you keep working on it. Satan worry and anxiety are not from God they belong to you so you take your things and go in the name of Jesus. I receive the peace that Jesus has given me and I thank you Father for solving this problem, in Jesus name."

Remember, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12) Believers are in a battle 24/7 whether they believe it or not. Believers also deal with this battle in their minds. "Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."
(II Corinthians 10:5)

The point is that if the problem that a believer gave to the LORD tries to fill their mind again causing worry or anxiety then they must exercise faith and by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. In other words, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:7) As believers take a more agressive part in 'Fighting the good fight of faith" they will enjoy the promise of God that we will look at next. So in the mean time, "Resist the devil, steadfast in the faith".