When I meet with clients, one of the things I tell them about anxiety is that it comes in ready to take over. Anxiety tries to control what you think, how often you think about it, and when thoughts should consume your mind. In order to combat anxiety we have to have strategy. We find a great strategy in Phillipians 4:6-7.
Don’t be anxious about anything,
But in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving
Present your requests to God.
And the peace of God
Which transcends all understanding
Will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (NIV)
Did you catch it? Did you get the strategy? If not, let me break it down for you.
1. Interrupt worrying & anxiety
“Don’t be anxious about anything” Is a command. The first step in this strategy is to stop being anxious. You’re probably thinking- If I knew how to do that, I wouldn’t need this blog post. But hear me out, you do know how to do that. Anxiety is often characterized as persistent worry and that worry often shows up in our thinking. To stop being anxious is to stop allowing our mind to be consumed with worry. Now, I’ll be honest- for many who are struggling with anxiety, this isn’t a one and done. It is likely something you have to do over and over and over again. You may need to re-start every 5 minutes or every hour. The key is this- when you realize that you are worrying, stop. God would not command us to do something that he didn’t give us the ability to do. So the fact that He says don’t be anxious means that we can stop being anxious. But we will definitely need the other steps in this strategy to help us with that.
2. Tell God What You Need
This step most certainly helps us build on the first step. Instead of sitting and worrying tell God what your issue is. This verse tells us to communicate this through prayer and petition. Prayer is a two way conversation between you and God. Petition is a formal request. So essentially, talk to God and request what you need. But don’t miss this part- with thanksgiving. You may be wondering, why are we giving thanks? That’s a good point given that we are anxious and worried about a need or an issue-what is there to give thanks for? Well, we as believers know who God is and what he can do. So this thanksgiving is premature but it is evidence of our faith in God to do what we are asking. It also helps with anxiety because it transports us from worry and despair to hope and assurance. So in summary, the second step in the strategy is to have a conversation with God, tell him what you need, and let the confidence that he will answer you give you a thankful heart.
By now you should already feel that anxiety fading away and we’re only halfway through the verse. The best part is that by this point you have done everything that you’re supposed to do. Now it’s time the let God work!
3. Watch God Work
This verse is a promise. Once you have done your part there is guaranteed action on God’s end. There is a special gift of peace that only God can give. Peace that passes understanding. Peace that you experience even when the situation doesn’t change. God promises that this peace will guard your heart and your mind. Remember in step one, that part where we acknowledge that it’s hard to stop worrying? God knows that it’s hard for you. And so he sends his peace to stand guard over your heart and mind. What do guards do? They protect , they block, they keep out what needs to be kept out. And what needs to be kept out: worry and anxiety. God knew you would need help and he promises to be that help that you need.
I know that anxiety can be debilitating and overwhelming. And, it requires a serious fight to overcome. But not only do you now have a strategy, you also know that you are not alone in the fight. God can and will show up for you when you make a conscious decision that worrying and anxiety are not for you and you take your worries to God. So put your strategy in motion and take control over your anxiety instead of letting it control you.