Do Not be Anxious…Part 1

If someone asks me what I think my biggest flaw is, I would have to say that it’s my anxiety. I’m constantly anxious, and I allow my mind to go to places that are insane, and I can make up the craziest things. For instance, we have this small room off of our back room. It has our big freezer, and then there is a big, secure, door that enters into our house. Once, our window on the junky back door was broken. That night my husband told me that we’ll be fine, no need for me to worry. We went up to bed, and all I could think about was how someone just had to reach into the broken window, unlock that door, then pick up one of the random bricks we have and break the window on the other door, and BOOM. They’re in our house. I just laid in our bed thinking about this, and playing it over and over and over in my head. I finally said to my husband “Are you absolutely sure no one can or will get into the house?” He went on to continue to explain that he was positive. I however then explained to him where my mind was taking me. Finally he said “Okay, let’s go.” So we went downstairs, and right in front of me he put a board over the broke window and secured it. We’re talking nails and screws secure!! Once he secured that, I was finally able to go back upstairs and go to sleep peacefully.

So what’s wrong with this story? Well, first I was dwelling on something evil. Something that I couldn’t even guarantee would happen. But it had me so afraid, and anxious, that I couldn’t even sleep. Then I woke my husband up from his sleep, just for me to feel secure. How selfish is that?? Lastly, and the biggest one, I didn’t put my trust, and my faith, in the Lord. I allowed myself to get so worked up that I forgot to stop and pray! I forgot to ask the Lord to protect us, and to take this anxiety and fear away from me.

Matthew 6:34 says “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself..”

Right there in Matthew it tells us that we are not to be anxious. However, this verse goes deeper in saying that we shouldn’t be anxious about tomorrow because tomorrow has its on sets of problems. We’re already busy being anxious about our day, so why waste energy being anxious about a day that hasn’t even come? We need to stop being so anxious and worrying about things that we literally cannot change or fix because it hasn’t happened yet.

Philippians 4:6-7 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”

There is so much in this verse that is amazing to me, and brings me such comfort! Why do I take time to worry about things? Do I not believe in a God that controls everything? A God that has died for me, has taken all my sins upon Himself. Why am I worrying when I have that kind of God on my side? Instead of all my anxiety, I need to be going to the Lord, and giving it all to Him. When we’re worrying, and being anxious about situations, is a sign of distrust in the Lord. Think about it. When we’re worrying about things that we can give the Lord, but we are choosing to not give them to Him, aren’t we just saying that we don’t trust that He will take care of us, and whatever it is making us anxious? NOTHING is too small or too big for our God. There is no form of anxiety that He can’t handle. He is this might God, and longs for us to depend on Him, and turn to Him.

The world can sometimes promise peace, but then what? We’re disappointed because they don’t follow through on it. However, the peace that the Lord is promising us, that is TRUE peace. That is the peace that we can count on, that we know we will have that peace. Why is the peace that the Lord promises us so important? It’s important because this peace protects us. It’s guards us, and it guards our minds and hearts. God’s peace watches over us, and it protects us from any anxious thoughts. We need to cling to this promise that the Lord has given to us, with the full belief that He is on our side and there to protect us.

There is so much more that I want to share about the topic on anxiety, because it’s something that I deal with, and something that is close to my heart. I understand how easily anxiety can cripple you, and make you want to stay in your bed, and house, all day. I get the daily struggle of trying to tell yourself to remember that the Lord is in control. I. Get. It.

I’m going to leave you now with the reminder to put all your trust in the Lord. Run to Him when you are feeling anxious, or worried. The Lord is waiting there to give you a peace that will guard you! He longs to hear from you, no matter if you think your issues is too little or too big. He is a mighty God, and loves you beyond understanding. Rely on Him. Trust in Him.

Have a wonderful week, my friends! God bless you all!