You Can Win Over Anxiety
Phil 4:4 - 7 (NKJV) 4Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
We are living in days of high anxiety, with great concern over the state on our nations economy, wars and rumors of war around the world, the continued threat of terrorism, and the upcoming national elections. God’s Word however, offers us hope, strength, and peace in the midst of all these.
We can win over anxiety:
1. By Dedication To God
Rom 14:8 (NKJV) 8For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
Dedicated Christians do not neglect their prayer lives, fail to study God’s Word, or falter in church attendance.
Devotion to things of God brings release from self and selfish concerns. Dedication, plus God’s assistance, helps us to win over anxiety and worry
Rom 12:1 (NKJV) 1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
We can win over anxiety:
2. By Dependence On God
Psa 37:5 (NKJV) 5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
Too many Christian depend solely on their own weak, finite powers. This invariably results in frustration and failure.
As we surrender our will and weaknesses to God’s perfect will and infinite power. God is able to carry the responsibility for our life, freeing us from excessive care and concern.
Prov 3:5 - 6 (NKJV) 5Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
We can win over anxiety:
3. By Delighting In God
Phil 4:4 (NKJV) 4Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Anxiety/worry dispels the Christian’s delight in the Lord. It drains joy, peace, and hope from one’s life.
We win over anxiety/worry when we count our blessing and discount our losses, look for the good, overlook the bad, forgive ourselves, and forgive others.
Psa 37:5 (NKJV) 5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
We can win over anxiety:
4. By Diligence For God
2 Cor 5:14 (NKJV) 14For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
When it comes to doing God’s work, some Christians are unconcerned. Some are lazy. The feel let the professionals do all the work of evangelism, or other works of ministry. In either case, these Christians are unhappy and unfulfilled.
Busy Christians are happy Christians. When we work for God, we forget our own difficulties. The Lord cares for those who give Him first place in their lives.
Col 3:23 - 24 (NKJV) 23And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men 24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for£ you serve the Lord Christ.
We can win over anxiety:
5. By Direction From God
John 16:13 (NKJV) 13However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
Many Christians are looking for direction for their lives. They rightfully want their lives to be meaningful and purposeful.
When we make a total commitment of our lives to God, we can stand on His promises that, “He will guide you into all truth.”
Anxiety/worry has no place in the life directed by God.
Prov 3:6 (NKJV) 6In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Conclusion
No matter what today or tomorrow holds in store for us we can face it with the promise that He has gone been us, His promise to never leave us, or forsake us.
Heb 13:5 - 6 (NKJV) 5Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
