How God Feels About Our Anxiety
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Mental Illness has become more prevalent lately and seemingly more difficult to overcome! Anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States.
So! What does the Word of God say about anxiety, and how can we overcome these anxious thoughts in our mind?
Grab your bible and some coffee and let’s get into it!
We’re going to start with Philippians 4:6-8 (KJV)
6. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8. Finally, bretheren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
There is so much for us to dissect in these verses!!
In verse 6, it starts off by saying “Be careful for nothing;”- The word careful in this verse means “anxious.” (Be anxious for nothing).
According to the Merriam -Webster Dictionary, Anxiousness or Anxiety is defined as an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension/worry and fear often marked by physical signs (such as tension, sweating, and increased pulse rate), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it.
God does NOT want us worrying, sis!
Now, lets cross reference this word careful- In 1 Peter 5:7 it says, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
In this scripture, “care” has 2 meanings:
1. The first care (Casting all your care upon him): has the same definition as above, meaning anxious, worry, fear, etc.
>God wants us to turn our worries over to him, he doesn’t want us to be weighed down with fear and the anxiousness of this life. He wants us to have FAITH that he will take care of us.
2. The second care (for he careth for you): means divine care- God watches over our life with infinite care and provision.
>Psalm 127:2- It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep. (Read this out loud to really feel what it says!)
Go to these scriptures for additional reference on how God cares for us!... Remember we are studying!
>Matthew 6:30-33
>Luke 12:7
The second half of verse 6 addresses us being prayerful and making our requests known unto God. Our “Requests” must be the will of God. God will put IN you what he wants you to ask him for. (We really be thinking it’s us… but it’s all him!)- Philippians 2:13
So, what happens next?
Verse 7 states that God will give us peace that is beyond anything we can understand! Can ya’ll even imagine this level of peace? (you can’t!)
BUT, all we have to do is give our worries to him and we can have it!
How do we overcome Anxiety?
Verse 8 tells us how! We must train our minds to meditate on the things of righteousness. If we think on things that are honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report; we can overcome worry, fear, and anxiety.
>2 Corinthians 10:4-5; We have to FIGHT spiritually against the negative thoughts that constantly try to consume our minds.
Easier said than done, right? Well let’s do it together! Let’s hold each other accountable to turn our cares over to Christ, through prayer and supplication! There is no one better to take care of us!
With love,
- SOS