We all struggle with the circumstances of life. We have serious problems with work, children, relationships, in-laws, and outlaws. God has commanded us not to worry about these things. Jesus promises that when we take up His yoke, it will be easy and that His commandments will not be burdensome (Matt. 11:28-30, 1 John 5:3). But it is so hard not to worry. We can’t stop thinking about the problem; we can’t help but be concerned, can we?

Anxiety demonstrates a lack of faith in Christ’s promises. If we truly believed in God’s goodness and His sovereignty we would never worry. Also, worry keeps us from focusing our thoughts on our Savior. We continue to be anxious and worried because we don’t fully understand how God wants us to handle our circumstances. In Philippians 4:4-8 God provides the step-by-step path for overcoming an anxious heart.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand (vs. 4 & 5, NKJV). God starts out with the standard by which He expects us to live. Our every day life should be characterized by a heart that is rejoicing in the Lord, not just on Sunday but on every other day, too. Why? First, that we might be a wonderful testimony to others (vs. 5). And second, because an anxious heart will hinder our relationship with the Lord. When we are worried we are usually concentrating on the problem and not on developing a relationship with God.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God (vs. 6). God says, "I know you will have issues in your life that will tempt you away from rejoicing always in Me. Through prayer—sometimes earnest prayer—and thanksgiving, turn your worry over to Me." Take that step of faith and trust wholly in God to deal with the problem.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (vs. 7). Oh, what a wonderful promise God gives us if we will just turn over every worry and care to Him! And it is not only a promise but a command. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts (Col. 3:15a). For our Creator knows what keeps the human heart working best.

Now comes the part that most of us have missed out on. Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things (vs. 8). God, our Creator, our Father, our Friend, knows that after we turn over our worries to Him, we will be greatly tempted to take them back.

As I counsel with Christians, I often ask them, "Have you prayed about it? Have you turned it over to Christ?" The answer is most often "Yes." But then I will ask them "Have you stopped thinking about it?"

"Well, duh, Pastor Todd, that’s why I came to see you. I can’t stop thinking about it." That is absolutely right; it is impossible to "stop thinking." The only way not to think about one thing is to think about something else. Isn’t God great! He provides for us the things we are to think about.

Consider the principles in the Philippians passage:

• What is "true" about what I am worried about? God is in control, thus as His child nothing happens to me outside of His will.
• What is "just" about what has happened to me? My idea of justice is not as "pure" as God’s. If I were to receive true justice, I would just be a grease spot on the highway of life.
• What is "lovely" about this problem? That I am a child of the King of kings and that there is nothing too difficult for Him.
• What is "praise worthy" about this? That there is no problem of mine on this earth that will last much more than 80 years, and compared to eternity that truly is a short time.

To overcome an anxious mind we must train our minds to think on the things above and not on the things of this earth.

Todd Tjepkema, B.A.
Executive Assistant