Choosing TRUST Over Anxiety
I woke up this morning at 3:45 AM, thinking about and being concerned with our states (California) and the national economy. My thoughts got carried away as anxiousness filled my heart. My thinking swirled downward over the thought of what can happen with our economy and potentially living through another great depression, and it could impact my family, church family, and friends.
Where did this thought come from? Why did I wake up with this? I went to bed in peace only to wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety? What gives?!
I recognized that somewhere in my heart, anxiety had a foothold. Some of you might have experienced the same thing but expressed differently.
I tried forcing myself back to sleep, but to no avail. I pushed my head back onto my pillow and Isaiah 26:3 came to me, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you."Eventually, I just rolled out of bed, had breakfast, and sat before the Lord.
Anxiety is a Thief
As I rested in God's presence, Philippians 4:6-7 came to mind. I quickly got out my Bible and read this familiar portion of scripture a few times.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Anxiety is illegal for the believer. It's off-limits. It's poison. An intruder and a thief. It steals our spiritual vibrancy and physical health. Anxiety declares war on God's peace and is an indicator that the peace of God is absent in the areas I'm feeling anxious.
The antidote to anxiety is trusting God through prayer and petition. Prayer intimately connects me with my Heavenly Father and when I connect with Father God, His love and peace fill my heart.
His peace "guards our hearts". The word "guard" is a military word meaning to "station a soldier in front of" to secure and protect from illegal entry.
The peace of God stands at the door of your hearts as a soldier stands at the door of a house protecting us and fighting off any intruder seeking entry. This is what happens when we trust the Lord and pray.
Choose Trust over Anxiety.
"Perfect Peace" comes from me trusting fully in the Lord. All anxiety does is expose areas where God's peace is absent.
They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Psalm 112:7
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
Psalm 56:3
Trust must have an object. What I give my attention to, will eventually have my affection. Trust is a choice.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Psalm 20:7
Choose today to trust your Heavenly Father. He sees you. He knows you. He is for you.
3 Ways to Trust in God
Here are three ways we can begin to trust in God. I'm sure there are more, but these are just for starters.
Meditate on "Trust" Bible Verses. Find scriptures that talk about trust. You can do a simple search on Google on something like - Bible Verses that talk about trusting God. Once you find them, record them, and meditate on them.
Pray. Take the verses you have found, and are meditating on, and begin to pray those verses.
Declare. Get personal and declare your trust in God in the areas where you find yourself anxious. Choose to trust. When you do, anxiety loses it's hold on you, and God brings His peace and stations it as a soldier over your heart.
Question: What area's are you finding yourself needing to trust God in?
Blessings!! -- Pastor Greg