Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Help for those in anxiety and fear

Do not yield to fear, for I am always near.  Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God. I will infuse you with my strength and help you in every situation. I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10 TPT

 We are living in trying times. The world seems to be in upheaval and so many are looking to make sense of it all. Many have questions. Many have concerns. Fear and anxiety have gripped the masses.  The challenge we all face though is this is, in fact, a real threat, not a negative thought, or a what-if, the enemy brought to people's minds.

 The world is on a modified lockdown if you will. A verified pandemic has been declared worldwide. This is a real and confirmed threat to people's livelihood and health and safety. This is the time where trust in God is paramount.

 This is also the time when we discover what we've been planting in our hearts. Words of Faith, God's Grace and Goodness and Love or words of fear worry and anxiety. Our words locate us and reveal what we've been planting. If words of Faith, trust in Christ are coming from your mouth, praise God. What if, though, anxiety and fear seem to more real to you than the promises of God? 

 That's why I was impressed to share some Good News for those in anxiety and fear. There is a way out. There is an exit door. There is hope and help for you. 

 Paul has given us insight into how to overcome fear and anxiety. Look at his words here;

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

in another translation for more clarity;

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. Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

Paul has just given the answer to anxiety and fear. When anxiety comes, that is not the time to cower, to quiver, to shrink back, to fear. No, that's the time to pray. That's the cue to exercise Faith and give your concern, your care, your burden, your what-if, your need to God. That is, come to God petitioning Him for your needs. 

 When we do this, Paul declared that the peace of God comes and guards our hearts and mind. Why? How is this possible? Because we've turned to God in our time of need. We've asked God to intervene in our life. We've turned our care over to God. By coming to God, and asking Him for our needs to be met, we are saying God we trust you, we believe you, we have hope in your love and goodness. 

 God responds with His supernatural peace. We can have inward peace and comfort no matter the situation or circumstance. This is not the time to shrink back but the time to come boldly before the throne of His Grace and petition our Good Father and receive freely from Him and find that help and hope in these times. 

 Our hearts and minds can find rest and joy because we've turned to God in the anxious moments. Whenever anxiety arises take this as the cue, the signal, and come before your Father in Heaven in prayer. Peace will flood your mind and keep your heart steady. 

 Fear and anxiety have no right to control our thoughts or minds. When we give our requests and needs to God there is nothing to be anxious about. We trust that God is taking care of us and working our situation out for the best outcome possible. 

 Anxiety comes when we let go of trust, and try to do things ourselves. In these times remind yourself of God's all the time goodness and love. Think of the truth and relinquish those lies anxiety brings.

17 In this way God’s love is perfected in us, so that we may have boldness on the Day of Judgment, because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. Whoever fears is not perfect in love. 1 John 4:17-18 MEV

14 So then, as the children share in flesh and blood, He likewise took part in these, so that through death He might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver those who through fear of death were throughout their lives subject to bondage. Hebrews 2:14-15 MEV

 His perfect love has cast out all fear. He has delivered us from all fear, especially the fear of death. We are no longer subject to the bondage of fear and anxiety. We can freely trust in a Good and Loving Father who meets our needs and fills our hearts and minds with His supernatural peace. 

In summation, there is hope. There is help for those struggling with anxiety. God. God, our Good Father is that help and hope. He is the need meeter, the way maker, and the One working when it seems like all is falling apart. Place your hope in His Goodness and Love and see anxiety and fear melt away in the presence of His Love and peace.

image by TheDigitalArtist from Pixabay