Overcoming Anxiety, Pt. 3

Instead of worrying, Jesus tells us we are to be seeking His kingdom. If we
are busy about the Lord's work, we will not have the mental space to worry.

Overcoming Anxiety, Pt. 3

"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. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."

(Philippians 4:6-8)

Let us turn our focus to the biblical text for today's devotional as we look more into the topic of overcoming anxiety and winning, not losing, the battle in our minds.

The first thing I want to share with you from this passage is: Nothing Means Nothing. God tells us to be anxious for nothing. Let that sink into your heart and mind: we are to be worried about nothing. God loves us, He is for us, He will work it all out for our good; so why should we waste precious time being worried about anything?

Jesus said in Matthew 6:25, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" He goes on to say in verses 33 and 34: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

It is interesting that the same Greek word translated "worry" is the word translated "anxious" in Philippians 4:6. It is the word merimnao, which means "to be troubled with cares" (BlueletterBible.org). In verse 25, Jesus uses the Greek conjunction, me, with the present imperative, and a good translation is, "Stop worrying." He is prohibiting an activity that you are currently doing. Is Jesus commanding you to stop worrying right now?

Instead of worrying, Jesus tells us we are to be seeking His kingdom. If you and I are busy about seeking the Lord and helping expand His kingdom, the reign and rule of Jesus, we will not have the mental space or energy to worry.