Living in Increase (Part 9) - Increase in HealthSample

When You're Anxious

“Anxiety” is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure. If we’re not careful, anxiety can cloud our hearts and minds. We can begin focusing on our problems more than focusing on God.

First and foremost, Philippians 4:6 says not to be anxious. Now, this is easier said than done! However, if the Bible says it, it must be true. I don’t want to be anxious if God says not to. And Praise God because, in Philippians 4, the Apostle Paul gives us a game plan to stop feeling anxious.

First, he says to pray. When we feel anxious, our first response must be to talk to God.

Second, he says to petition. I like to think of this point as a petition that people get you to sign to see change in an area. The power in petitions is found in numbers. Petitions get the attention of people in power when they have a lot of names on them. Therefore, we should “petition” for change, meaning we get other people praying with us.

Third, we thank God. If you’re feeling anxious, you may not want to thank God! However, there is always something to be thankful for, and showing thankfulness helps you focus on your blessings instead of your problems.

Fourth, we are to present our requests to God and share with Him what we would like to see. Now, we must understand that God does not always work the way we want Him to (Isaiah 55:9). His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. We only see a moment; God sees the whole picture. Even though we can present our requests to Him, ultimately, we want His will to be done.

When we follow these steps, the Bible says God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds against the effects of anxiety. Peace does not come from an answered prayer but from praying itself! It comes from communing with God.

The next time you feel anxious, give these steps a try!

Emily N. Green

Action Step: Go through the four steps to praying for peace. Pray, get others to pray with you, thank God, and present your requests to Him. The peace of God will guard you!