Since anxiety is a battle where I’ve been learning how to obediently engage the Enemy, I thought over the next few posts, I’d share some thoughts and practices God has used to help me not give up.
Philippians 4:6-9 says:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
- We are to pray about everything (with specific requests and with thanksgiving).
- Think about what is true, noble, right, pure . . .
- Live in obedience by the Spirit’s enabling.
Because emotions are reflections of what I believe to be true, two questions have been immensely helpful for me:
How is Christ inviting me to think about this situation?
What does obedience look like in this situation?
The feeling doesn’t have to change right away if I am seeking to be obedient, but I can also look forward to God’s commitment to providing me with His peace.
In the next post, I’ll share what some of this has looked like when I wake up during the night feeling anxious.
