My favorite season of the year is fall. I love watching the leaves change colors to different shades of beautiful hues. Although in Minnesota, where I live, when the leaves start to change color, it is a sign of the approaching winter. But the array of colors on the trees is simply breathtaking and makes you forget the approaching winter. However, it is not just the beautiful hues of fall; the fall season also ushers in respiratory illnesses and allergies.
So, how do I handle the challenges of life that gnaw at me, yet I am surrounded by the beautiful things in life? When we are afraid in the midst of our joy, dancing, singing, and clapping our hands? What must we do when our joy of gazing at the beautiful fall colors is interrupted by respiratory illnesses, allergies, or whatever is in between? When we are full of joy and suddenly remember the unanswered prayer or lack.
Such a situation can typically lead to anxiety and worry to the point of being blinded to all the beautiful colors the LORD is using to bless us. God has blessed us with so many good things in life that we must not allow one or two challenges we have to rob us of our joy. God is still on the Throne, so anxiety must not be allowed to paralyze us. Does the bible give any guidance on how we can prevail over anxiety? Yes! The Bible does. Let’s read the antidote for anxiety in these Bible verses:
“Do not 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.” Philippians 4:4-7. (NIV).
The remedy for anxiety and worry is prayer, making a petition to God with thanksgiving. When a storm arises, bow your knees in prayer with thanksgiving and present your requests to God. The peace of God will guide and guard your mind. The Greek word for guard means to garrison. It is a military term that means to protect. So, in the midst of a storm, the peace of God protects your mind from worry and anxiety. What do I thank God for when I have not received an answer to my request? Will that not be a fake gratitude? Well, think about the most remarkable thing the LORD has done for you. What is the extraordinary thing the LORD has done for us?
“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32. NIV.
If God shows His love to you by giving you the LORD Jesus to bring you to the Kingdom of God and to be seated together with the LORD in the heavenly places, if He did not withhold Jesus from you, the Holy Spirit is asking you how God will not graciously give you all things. Nothing can be more valuable than Jesus.
If God did not withhold Jesus from you, then you can receive all things from God. But if that need is causing anxiety, and I remember that God loves me so much that He gave me Jesus to receive eternal life, the grip of anxiety will fade away, and the peace of God will protect my mind until the answer comes. When we focus too much on our needs, we forget the greatest need of our lives, which the Lord has met: the salvation of our souls. When anxiety starts to rock the boat, begin to give thanks to God for the most incredible gift of Jesus. Praise and thanksgiving take our minds off our problems, focusing them on God. Praises open up our spirits to consider and appreciate God’s character.
When last did you thank God for the great salvation of your soul that gives you freedom from eternal death and sin, which leads to everlasting life, bringing harmony with God? Our redemption, which Jesus paid for through His Blood, enables us to burst into song before God. As we gaze at the trees swaying back and forth, let us be reminded of the various victories God has given us and clap our hands in praise.
Do not waste your energy worrying about challenges; instead, turn it to the time of prayer, reflecting on the greatest gift of salvation. This will turn into a time of thanksgiving. Anxiety and worry lead to different emotional complications and problems. Gratitude to God is the great antidote for anxiety. So, give thanks always, because the Bible says so: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thes. 5:18.