Stop, Drop and WorshipSample

Stop, Drop and Worship!

Do we actually know when we are drifting toward anxiety or depression? Is there a specific “knocking at the door of our heart,” so to speak, that is obvious? Do we invite these feelings or are we simply a victim of them? Do they intrude like a sneaking, crouching lion? Such deep truths to ponder.

Philippians 4:6-7  tells us to be “Anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Then to add the cherry on top, it says “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Could we actually live and walk in a “peace which surpasses all understanding”? If so, I want to live that way!

So, what is the disconnect? Why is our world dominated with anxiety and depression? Do we have any choice in the matter? Who is in charge of me? Scripture says in John 10:10 that the thief comes ONLY to steal, kill and destroy, BUT that we have an option for abundant living as well. What upsets me even more than an enemy seeking to rob, kill and destroy is that I often participate with him! I actually buy into his lies about my identity and allow him to disempower my life and my heart. But what about abundant living? Is there still a choice here? Once again, who is in charge of me? Blaming has never worked and will never work. Change can only begin when and if we take personal responsibility for where we are today.

I am aware that many of our lives have been riddled with uninvited trauma and circumstances. But we must tether our peace of mind to the faithfulness and the character of God and not to people, events, and circumstances. His promises are our only solid ground for tomorrow’s hope as we believe that He actually can work all things together for the good of those that love Him and are called into His plans.

When we feel our hearts drifting, or thrown straight into anxiety, we could learn the power of “STOP, DROP AND WORSHIP.” I have tested this idea. It is a game changer. During the times when news or information sends my heart skyrocketing, I am keenly aware of anxiety “knocking at my door.” At these times, I purposefully remember “be anxious for nothing.” It seems a paradox to simultaneously have extreme anxiety while recalling the scripture to be anxious for nothing. It’s a situation devoid of peace and abundance. In my childlike attempt for obedience to Proverbs 4:6-7, I start to pray and be grateful. This is totally an act of my will as my feelings are not in line……YET! As I have stopped to drop and worship, I am actively, by my will, choosing to put my sovereign God back up on the throne of my heart and not the ISSUE that is drawing me to anxiety. I am choosing obedience. I am not participating in the schemes of the sneaky enemy to rob, kill and destroy my joy in the moment or the day (or the season of life).

I am not saying that this is easy, but when I choose obedience, I find that I step out of my emotional self and I step into His truths and greater purposes for the moment. I want to participate with the Lord and not with the enemy. I invite you to consider the same.