Fear and Anxiety

 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7 ESV).

 

Life gives us opportunities to enjoy calm and peacefulness. Life also gives us opportunities to be anxious. We can grow anxious when sickness comes—especially when sickness might lead to death. We can also feel anxious when we run out of money for food or for our monthly bills. Relationships can create times of anxiety when tempers flare and anger burns. There have been times when I have become anxious. Usually, they have come with some unexpected health issue affecting those whom I love. They have been terrifying at times.

 

What do you become anxious about? Perhaps you are experiencing such a time now in your life. The Apostle Paul comes to the end of his letter to the Philippians and simply says, “… but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (v. 5).

 

I remember when Mary was recovering from a very complicated and difficult surgery. She was in the ICU, but the staff of the hospital were gracious enough to allow me to stay with her around the clock. Late in the night, when things were somewhat calmer and Mary seemed to be resting comfortably, I would slip out of the room and find a darkened waiting area where I could be alone for a bit. It was during those times when I engaged in conversation with the Lord at a level that brought comfort and assurance that He had a plan for our good. The more I understood that one truth, the more I was able to stave off the fear and anxiety.

 

Whatever you may be facing today, I encourage you to face it with the knowledge that the Lord is present with you in a way that will strengthen and encourage you through it. Rest in that knowledge that all things in your life are filtered through His perfect will and purpose to bring you good. Take a deep breath of the Spirit and draw life from Him. Think on His great grace in all things on your behalf. Feel the fear and anxiety ebb away in your mind. He will replace it with assurance!