Do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus”—Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV).
Anxious (adjective) – full of mental distress or uneasiness because of fear of danger or misfortune; greatly worried; solicitous. Example used in a sentence: People are anxious (distressed, fearful, worried) about the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
While we should be concerned about what is now being referred to as a pandemic (prevalent throughout an entire country, continent, or the whole world; epidemic over a large area), many are panicking. Stocking up on hand sanitizers and other cleaning products has left many store shelves empty. What I can’t understand is the need many feel to stock up on toilet paper.
I can understand anxiety about this deadly flu leading to purchasing large quantities of sanitizing products, and even food, but hoarding toilet paper leaves me baffled. How are the two connected? COVID-19 is a respiratory illness. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath.
Evangelist Billy Graham made the following statement in 1965 but it’s still true today. “Historians will probably call our era ‘the age of anxiety.’ Anxiety is the natural result when our hopes are centered in anything short of God and His will for us.”
Graham adds, “At its best, anxiety distracts us from our relationship with God and the truth that He is ‘Lord of heaven and earth’ (Matthew 11:25). At its worst, anxiety is a crippling disease, taking over our minds and plunging our thoughts into darkness.”
God gives us wisdom and common sense. Allowing anxiety and fear to control our thoughts and actions can lead to irrational behavior and poor choices. God wants so much more for us. He doesn’t want us to walk through life filled with fear, worry and anxiety.
In the Bible the book of Philippians, chapter 4, tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.”
But Paul’s remedy for anxiety doesn’t stop there. He adds, in verses 8-9, the following: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9, ESV).
What steps do we need to take toward an anxiety-free mind? If you haven’t already, give your life to Jesus Christ. Fix your thoughts on Him and His promises.
SOURCE: Assist News
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