“Be Anxious for Nothing”

Merriam-Webster defines the medical definition of anxiety in these words: medical: an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension 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.

With this definition in mind, God’s Word instruction Christians NOT to be anxious. About anything!

I am writing this midweek encouragement to address the nightly news anxiety attach. So often, Journalism today seems less rooted in research of facts, and more evidently rooted in presenting commentary that stirs up fear, anxiety, discouragement, suspicion, division, and hatred. Enough of that.

Let me remind us that God’s intention and desire is that you and I live free from anxiety:

Philippians 4:4-7. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This has been a main-stay verse for many of us over the years. Let’ make a few observations:

1. The pathway to peace is the choice to rejoice. Paul doubles down on this admonishing because it is so valuable. You can choose to lose anxiety by turning to the Lord in celebration of His goodness.

2. The reason for rejoicing is two-fold. It comes in Paul’s expression “The Lord is near.” Both interpretations are supported by the context of the Philippian Epistle:

The Greek expression “ho kurios engus” means the Lord return is getting closer. The expression also means that the Lord is near at hand, close, right here, right now.

3. It is within our power of our faith responses to step away from anxiety into peace. Here are the elements the solution to the negative feelings of panic:

 Rejoice, yes, rejoice!

 Let your gentle spirit, your “sweet reasonableness,” be your demeanor in all your relationships.  Seek to identify His nearness, right here, right now.

 Talk all things over with Jesus. Believe that what you express as concerns God is ability to handle.  Demonstrate faith through thanksgiving.

4. Anxiety is vanquished by the promise of peace.

 Peace is a gift of grace that is real, yet unexplainable. The Father loves to surprise us with peace.  God’s incomprehensible peace is set as a guard over our weary minds and emotions.  Jesus Christ – He is the foundation and sustainer of our peace.

Therefore, anxiety to a trigger - either to panic or to praise. Let’s catch ourselves in the act of being anxious, and turn that anxiety into a fresh adventure in faith in God presence and power to displace that anxiety with peace. Be encouraged. His is waiting for you to cast all your anxiety on Him. He cares for you.

Anxiety symptoms vary in intensity, from mild to severe. Panic attacks appear suddenly, while anxiety symptoms become gradually more intense over minutes, hours, or days. Panic attacks usually subside after a few minutes, while anxiety symptoms can prevail for long periods.