Hope in the Night (A 30-Day Reflection of the Word of God)

Nineteenth Night: How to Solve Anxiety in God's Way?

"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
- Philippians 4:4‭-‬7

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Reflection:

When the apostle Paul wrote the letters to the Philippians, he was in prison. But Philippians was considered as the happiest book in the Bible!

Apostle Paul knew what it takes to have anxiety. He knew a lot about anxiety. He dealt with difficulties, hardships, trials, imprisonments, beatings, sufferings, and persecutions — just to name a few. But look at what he has to say about it in Philippians 4:4-7.

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul taught us God's solution for the anxiety or worries we face. God taught us to acknowledge what we were anxious, worried, or concerned about. We have to be willing to be honest with ourselves and admit that we were struggling with anxiety. As long as we ignore our anxiety, it’s going to poison us, taking a toll on our lives.

Be willing to find the courage to face your anxieties and worries head on, brothers and sisters in Christ.

Bring your concerns to the Father in the spirit of thanksgiving (v. 6). Remember that the Lord is always near (v. 5). Come before Him with thanksgiving, expressing gratitude to Him for being your God, loving you unconditionally, hearing your prayers, understanding exactly where you are, and being willing and ready to help you.

Let your request be made known to God (v. 6). Tell God everything that concerns you. Share with Him your anxieties, worries, fears, and uncertainties, then ask Him to help you overcome them once and for all.

Telling Him the causes of your anxieties and your worries is not the only step there is. You have to believe that He loves you, hears your prayers, and promises to help you. You have to be fully convinced that not only does God love you and hear your prayers, but He has promised to help you overcome and defeat any difficulty you face.

You have to trust that He has the power and provision to accomplish what you ask. Remember your All-powerful, All-knowing God has provided all you will need to overcome the anxieties and worries consuming you. By the might of His Spirit, His power is not only available to you, but resides within you to help you overcome and to work all things together for your good.

Rest in the peace and knowledge that God will give you the victory. The peace of God will guard you. The Father will exchange your anxiety for His peace. He will cover you and protect you with it, building an impenetrable wall of protection around you. It’s a matter of simply giving your concerns to Him and trusting in Him.

Anxious thoughts and situations will always be there in this life, but how long can and will you hold on to the anxiety? That's the question for you to ponder.

Whatever you’re going through, if you’ll take this passage from the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians and meditate upon it, asking God to work in your heart, He promises He will give you a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7). God did it time and again in my own life, and I know and I am sure He will do it for you, too.

You don’t have to live in anxiety unless you choose to. Pray for the Father to help you overcome your anxiety and lead you to victory once and for all. If you are willing to trust Him, He will set you free.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for giving me an opportunity to talk to You at any time of the day. Thank You for giving me a chance to come near and tell You about my burdens. Thank You for revealing Yourself to me through Your Son, Jesus Christ. I will rejoice in Your Name, always aware that You are the Lord of lords and King of kings; that the God I worshipped is the Almighty God, Creator of all things. May Your peace be with me and all Your children in this world. Amen.