PEACESample

“Anchor into Truth”

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he writes, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (4:6-7, NLT).

First, Paul tells the church to pray. Second, to tell God what they need. Third, to thank God for what He has done. 

But then Paul goes on to give them an important final step. He says, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excel­lent and worthy of praise” (verse 8, NLT).

How do we strategically capture our fears and replace them with what God says is true? Scripture gives us a plan. See, Paul pointed out what we should be thinking about—things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and wor­thy of praise. (Notice that doom, gloom, and kaboom are not in that list.) So, when our minds want to bend toward fear and when the natural direction of our steps deviates us little bit by little bit away from what is true, how do we walk straight? We go to the Word of God to remind ourselves of what God has already said is true. 

In God’s Word, He reveals clearly His character. He re­veals that He is kind, compassionate, and slow to anger. He reveals that He is ever present, loving, and protecting. He reveals that He has overcome the world, put an end to the power of sin and death, and removed the power of condem­nation. 

If we struggle with anxiety, reading our Bibles and reminding ourselves again and again of God’s character is paramount to dismantling the darkness. 

Father, help me stay anchored in who You are and what You say is true. As each fear manifests itself in my life, help me think clearly of Your truth. Flood my heart with what You say about who You are and who we are. Amen.