Flourish in Faith Rather Than Fear

 

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV)

'Be anxious for nothing', what does that mean? It means that there is no wiggle room, no gray area in which we are sanctioned to give in to anxiety. Be anxious for nothing, nada, not one thing! 

God never commands us to give up something without giving us something better to replace it with. What does He give us? Prayer and supplication; through which He wants us to bring EVERYTHING - EVERY.SINGLE.THING. - to Him; to make our requests known to Him!

Are you worrying? Are you stewing? Are you apprehensive? Are you perplexed? Stop what you are doing and let your requests be made known to God!!
 

WHY??  Because when you do it God's way, choosing faith over fear, going to Him in prayer, He blesses you with another wonderful blessing: His peace!! 

The peace of God surpasses all understanding - it's a lasting calm that comes only from God! Man cannot synthesize it and put in a pill. It's a gift from God because you trust in Him and rely on Him. And what does the peace of God do? It guards our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus!! 

God is faithful!! He will provide His peace, if you will let go of your anxieties. Go to Him in prayer, give your concerns and troubles to Him and be thankful!

What can you be thankful for? You can be thankful for all the things that still exist even amidst your fear and struggles! Things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8)! God commands us to focus on these things, to meditate on them. Why? Because when we think on these things our eyes will open to the beautiful blessings that God abundantly supplies to us each and every day! 

I have spent too many years of my life teaching myself to successfully meditate on doubts, fears, and negative "what ifs" - all of which led me down a well-worn path to anxiety, maybe you have too. God wants us to lean on Him. God wants us to see the beauty of the life He has given us. God wants us to seek Him and prove His good and acceptable and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2). He wants us to rejoice in the help, the provision, and the many, many blessings that He generously showers on His children so we can faithfully flourish! 

If you are still on Team Anxiety/Worry, I beg you to trust and obey. Trust in God's promise of peace - it is REAL!! Obey His commands and go to God in prayer, ask Him to help you to trust. Ask Him to help you let go of worry. Give Him your all your concerns and leave them there. Pour your energy into meditating on the good things God commands you to think on.

You can do it! So can I!!

From wherever you are right now - BEGIN!