How often do we pray for peace, yet do not take God’s advice? We are going to look at 4 Ways to God’s Peace When Struggling with Anxiety.
What Does the Bible Say About Anxiety?
We begin with our topic verse:
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
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.
4 Ways to God’s Peace When Struggling With Anxiety
Looking at Philippians 4:6-7 NIV gives us answers.
1. Do not be anxious for anything.
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
God is concerned about our suffering. It doesn’t matter what it is, whether persecution from others, or our worry about day to day life. He wants to know your thoughts and feelings which draws us closer to Him.
Matthew 6:24-25 NIV
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?”
Jesus is addressing the apostles about the choosing of their master, will they choose money or Him? Worrying about our needs is placing value on money. Jesus says He will take care of these.
Matthew 6:33 NIV
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
“Worry is inappropriate or wrong when it is misdirected, is in wrong proportion, or indicates a lack of trust in God. It is this latter sense that Jesus addresses here.” NIV Application Commentary
2. In every situation by prayer and petition
Ephesians 6:18 NIV
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
Here is the Living Bible Translation which may be clearer.
“Pray all the time. Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit’s wishes. Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere.”
Prayer is always a good attitude to keep as we go about our daily lives, always relying on the Holy Spirit for His direction. This is one of 4 ways to God’s peace when struggling with anxiety.
3. With Thanksgiving
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.“
Anxiety usually does not have rejoicing attached. Stressing and cloudy moods rank high on the list and often we do not want to rejoice.
The Lord is telling us to rejoice anyway and this can remove the clouds. It makes a better day for both us and those around us.
Psalm 63:7-8 NIV
“Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.”
I love these verses and it has encouraged me many times, removing the tightness of stress and the clouds of a bad mood.
Reminded again to pray continually and do so with thanksgiving. The Lord loves a grateful heart and this can lift our spirits to have God’s peace when struggling with anxiety.
Gratitude relieves us of a focus on stress and problems. It refreshes our mind with the blessings God has given us.
Colossians 4:2
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
“Here is a general appeal for prayerfulness. The word for “devote yourselves” is built on a root meaning “to be strong.” It always connotes earnest adherence to a person or thing; here it implies persistence and fervor (cf. Ac 1:14; 2:46; 6:5; Ro 12:12). “Being watchful” (lit., “keeping awake”) suggests constant spiritual alertness. So Christians must be watchful and active in prayer, alive in the fullest sense, never careless, mechanical, or dull and heavy (cf. Mt 26:41; Mk 14:38; 1Th 5:6; 1Pe 5:8). “Being thankful” refers to the spirit in which prayers should be offered (cf. Php 4:6).’Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament
4. Present you requests to God
Matthew 7:7-8
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
If we go through the previous 3 steps but don’t take our worries to God, it’s all for nothing. Sounds simple. We have to acknowledge that we need His help.
The Lord wants us to humble ourselves. He knows our problems, but wants us to tell Him. It’s necessary to ask for it to be given.
Bible Character Who Experienced Anxiety
Peter:
Matthew 14:22-33 NIV
“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’
‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’
‘Come’ he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”
As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus he was able to walk on the water. As soon as he took his eyes off of Jesus, he began to sink. It happens to us as we move through the our lives following Him. We take our eyes off Him and stumble.
When experiencing anxiety, we need to reach out for the Lord immediately so our stress with leave. We then can have peace.
Conclusion: Results for Following the 4 Ways to God’s Peace When Struggling with Anxiety
We’ve looked at the 4 ways to God’s peace, but what happens when we do as scripture says?
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“
We talk about wanting peace, but God’s peace is even better than the world’s which only lasts a short time.
John 14:27 NIV
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
The world’s peace doesn’t take away our fear. Jesus said He will give us peace like the world doesn’t know.
In the fast paced twirling world of stress and worry, we need to release it and give it to the Lord. Having His peace as the world spins around us is the results of obedience to His Word. There can be nothing better than that!
Please feel free to comment below.-Jackie
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