What Is The Best Solution For Anxiety?

Maybe you have struggled with the same problem I dealt with for decades. It can hinder us from doing what God has called us to do. This month’s newsletter contributor, Glori Winders, shares what God’s best solution is to anxiety.

God’s Solution For Anxiety

There are so many things today swirling around us: wars, droughts, economic issues, epidemics, culture changes, and more. In the natural, it can be hard not to become anxious, agitated and get in “fix it mode.” But do you know what the Word says? 

In Philippians 4:4-8, we are instructed to be anxious for nothing. That means do not be anxious about a single thing! But how do you do that in a culture that embraces a “the struggle is real” mantra? We must look at scripture and actually do what it says.

Let’s look at this passage in the Passion Translation. It says in Philippians 4:4-8,

Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life.

Let joy overflow, for you are united with the Anointed One!

Let gentleness be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever near.

Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing.

Be saturated in prayer throughout each day,

offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude.

Tell him every detail of your life,

Then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding,

will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ.

So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real,

honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful,

pure and holy, merciful and kind.

And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.

Celebrate What You Already Have

First of all, it is hard to be down if you adopt a cheerful disposition and are determined to be in joyous celebration because you simply woke up this morning. And in America, most of us woke up in a bed, under a roof, in a dwelling that has electricity, a toilet, and running water. 

And, you most likely have food in our home, as well. You probably have quite a lot to be thankful for if you focus on that. I make it a habit to write down in my journal 5 things that I am thankful and grateful for each morning. It can really set the tone for your day.

Then the scripture says to “let joy overflow because we are united with the Anointed One!” That is mind-blowing that the all-powerful God who created the universe wants to be united with little ole me! 

Yes, joy should overflow for that! If he created “all” that means he has the answers to “all” so any little problem I have is a piece of cake for him.

How To Communicate With Others

Next, it tells us to “let gentleness be seen in every relationship, because he is ever near.” That means you are a reflection of him, so make sure people see him through you. 

How do I answer my children or my spouse? Do I let someone go ahead of me on the road? Am I kind to the clerk checking me out? Am I a beautiful reflection of God? If we think about being his reflection then I would hope it would impact our behavior in a positive way.

Share Your Heart With God

Now we get down to the nitty-gritty. We can’t ignore  that the scripture says, “don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about A THING.”

It does not say the struggle is real, so embrace it! It doesn’t say go show everyone on social media what you are going through and how bad things are. It doesn’t say roll it over in your mind a thousand times. It doesn’t say call your friends and talk it through with them.

It says the answer is to “be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life.” He knows the details and your thoughts anyway, so talk it through with him with gratitude that he listens and cares. 

Wouldn’t this be praying without ceasing? This is how Paul lived his life. Talking to God about everything all throughout the day.

So what is the result when you do this? 

Let Peace Replace Anxiety

The scripture says that “THEN God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ.” The word “then” means there is a condition in place. 

You have a part and God has a part. But he can’t do his part until you have done yours. You can’t expect that peace until you have first poured your hearts out to him in prayer and gratitude. 

And Paul makes the point that this should be a habit being done all day, every day. If that is the case then you should also expect God to be doing his part all day, every day in giving you his wonderful peace and the answers that you need.

Now that is the way that I want to live my life in that repeated cycle of prayer, gratitude, peace, and answers. It also makes the instructions in the next verse easier to do. 

It says, “So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.”

It is impossible to do this if you dwell on the struggle, the problems, the circumstances, the lack, the stresses, the worries….

Changing Your Focus

The enemy knows this probably better than you do. If he can keep you focused on your struggle, whether it is big or small, he can keep you from tapping into the peace of God and the answers that will flow from Christ. 

If he can rob you of our joy and gratitude then he can make the reflection of Jesus that people are seeing something that they want nothing to do with. 

Imagine how overwhelmingly attractive you would be to the world if they saw a people that focused, spoke, and acted in authentic, real, honorable, admirable, beautiful, respectful, pure, holy, merciful, and kind ways. 

And you would be the one overflowing with peace in the midst of chaos with the answers to “all” the problems. Everyone would want to be a part of that Kingdom and that way of being.

So, I encourage us all to follow Paul’s instructions in this passage. Magnify the Lord more than we do the circumstances around us. Live in gratitude and joyful celebration because God sees and cares for us. 

Be anxious for nothing. Pray without ceasing. And, reap the benefits of God’s peace and answers flowing through us. That would truly be a life well lived.

~ Glori Winders

Encouragement

What a powerful message. I encourage you to read this again OUT LOUD and apply what you just learned to be free from anxiety.

Now that you know the best solution for anxiety, what is your first step? Please share in the comments below. Thank you.

We are so blessed by so many who have financially supported us throughout the years with their generosity. Also, we are grateful for everyone’s prayers and encouragement.

I also want to thank everyone who prayed for my trip to North Dakota last week for my niece’s wedding. It was wonderful to see family and relatives as well as my visit with friends in Minnesota. 

Finally, please share with others what the best solution for anxiety is so they can be free from it once and for all. Thank you!

Categorised in: Being Set Free

This post was written by admin