In the eight years of writing on my blog, the Lord continues to allow me to walk through experiences prior to challenging me to share with you, reader, the lesson(s) He taught me through said experiences. Why use the word “challenge?” Because vulnerability is difficult for me. Perhaps, it is the same for you as well. To be vulnerable by talking or writing about the difficult things which come in life (both internally and externally) is uncomfortable. In sharing this part of ourselves, we give the person we share it with the opportunity to reject us and hurt us; this is a valid risk to be concerned about. Even so, when the Lord is challenging us to be vulnerable and share our experience, He has His reasons. For instance, it is an opportunity for our stories to be a teaching tool, which reveals God’s character; and it is an opportunity to encourage those who are walking through something similar of how as the Lord guided us through the situation, He too will guide them through theirs. Without further ado, let us dig into something the Lord encourages us not to be but many of us can be at times, which is anxious.
Anxious is a word most have heard, but how many of us know what the word means? One of Merriam Webster Dictionary’s definitions of “anxious” is “afraid or nervous about what may happen.” Does this describe any feelings you have experienced (or are experiencing)? This was my experience last week. For context, several years ago, I shared in my Take up Your Cross series about a book the Lord led me to shift gears and write, which was different from the Christian novel I was working on at the time. Fast forward to the present and the Lord is leading me to step out of my comfort zone and self-publish said book. I am excited to at last have my book accessible to you, reader, in the very near future.
Yet, excitement is not all I have been feeling regarding this self-publishing process. Last week, as I looked at my budget and looked at the average amount self-published authors invest to get their book ready to publish, it led to thoughts popping in my head such as “Can I afford to self-publish?” “Should I wait until I have more money saved up?” “Maybe, this is not the right time to self-publish my book.” The thoughts spiraled and spiraled all the while the anxiousness grew. Amid my anxiousness, and this growing wish to flee from pursuing the self-publishing route, there was this pull to talk through what I was feeling with the Lord. During my time with Him in prayer, He brought to my mind one of the most well-known verses/passages on anxiousness. Paul writes,
“[D]o 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.
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 4:6-9).
As I read this passage last week, the Holy Spirit in His kindness opened my eyes to specific parts of the passage and taught me the following lessons we can learn from these verses.
- Verse 6b “[I]n everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
- Lesson 1: When anxious thoughts come be quick to go to the Father in prayer while also reflecting on all He has done in our lives beginning with giving us our Lord and Savior: Jesus Christ.
2. Verse 8a “[W]hatever 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.”
- Lesson 2: It is crucial to direct our minds and hearts to the Truth found in God’s Word. When we do, it shifts our perspective off from being anxious to focusing on the One who is peace. Moreover, we can be secure in knowing when He calls us, He will equip us in the ways we need for His glory (Hebrews 13:20-21).
3. Verse 9a “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things.”
- Lesson 3: Our flesh would prefer we stay in our comfort zone. The enemy would love to keep us from doing what the Lord is calling us to do. As Christ followers, we must combat anxious thoughts with the Truth for as long as those feelings arise.
Reader, here is one more definition worth sharing on anxious. The word “anxious” in Greek is “merimnaō,” which means in verse 6, “to be anxious; to be troubled with cares.” Whatever cares have you troubled may be valid things to be troubled over. Still, dwelling on what troubles you is not where the Lord wants you to stay. The Lord wants you to make the choice to turn to Him daily with the cares which trouble you in prayer. He wants you to choose to direct your focus on the Truth in His Word. In addition, choose to make the time to remember all the ways He has blessed you, and thank Him for them. Will doing all those things change the circumstances? Maybe or maybe not. What it will do is begin to change the way you look at it.
All Bible verses are from Holy Bible: English Standard Version
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