Do Not Be Anxious

DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING, BY PRAYER AND PETITION, WITH THANKSGIVING, PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD. PHILIPPIANS 4.6.

There is a small plaque on my wall that says, “TODAY IS THE TOMORROW YOU WORRIED ABOUT YESTERDAY!” How true!

God acknowledges and the Bible addresses human being’s grave problem of anxiety. God is just like our fathers – they love us so much that not only do they not want us to suffer, they do not even want us to be anxious about anything! They will do everything possible to overcome our trouble! However, God is different from our fathers because He does not keep us from all difficulties and distresses. Rather, He allows them so that by His grace and help we would learn to overcome them and be strengthened physically, mentally and above all spiritually!

At least four times the Bible exhorts us not to be anxious, each time through a different person using different words. It is interesting to note that each time God tells you and I not to be anxious, He also gives us a valid reason for it.

God said through David, “Cast your cares on the LORD”. Then He follows it up with a reason to do so. “For the LORD will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall” (Psa. 55.22). In another psalm, David gives another compelling reason not to be anxious – “the Lord, God our Saviour, daily bears our burdens” (Psa 68.19).

The Lord Jesus Christ Himself tells us not to worry. “Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things.” Then He gives us a solid reason not to worry – “Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things”. Do you need any other good reason? Here is another! Jesus asked, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Of course the answer is none! So why the unproductive worry? (Mt 6. 27,31.32).

The apostle Paul said, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”. Why should you do so? Because, says Paul, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4.6,7).

The apostle Peter is equally persuasive in asking us not to be unnecessarily anxious, “Cast all your anxiety on the Lord”. Again he too gives us a reason that we cannot discount: “Because the Lord cares for you” (1 Pe 5.7).

Dear believer, we can’t avoid circumstances that cause us anxiety but we are to overcome anxiety. So what do we do when we are genuinely anxious about the things that happen to us? I suggest 1) You go on your knees 2) Keep your Bible open at the above four portions 3) Read aloud each one for God to hear and be reminded of His promises 4) Claim them from God.

I have heard that George Mueller, that great man of prayer of a generation ago, used to do that and get his answers from God! Try it and surely your anxieties will fade away.

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, help me not to worry about anything but to bring all my requests to You with thanksgiving. May Your peace rest upon me as I cast all my cares on You. Amen.