Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:4-9
Charles Spurgeon once said, "Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength."
The word Worry can be traced back to the Old High German "wurgen" which means "to strangle" which is what worry does to our joy!
The first definition of "worry" in Webster is "to harass by tearing, biting, or snapping especially at the throat", and then "to subject to persistent or nagging attention or effort" and "to afflict with mental distress or agitation = make anxious".
From the spiritual point of view, worry is wrong thinking (the mind) and wrong feeling (the heart) about circumstances, people, and things. Worry is the greatest thief of joy. It is not enough for us, however, to tell ourselves to “quit worrying” because that will never capture the thief. Worry is an “inside job,” and it takes more than good intentions to get the victory.
The antidote to worry is the secure mind: “And the peace of God... shall keep [garrison, guard like a soldier] your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7). When you have the secure mind, the peace of God guards you and the God of peace guides you (Phil. 4:9).
Paul reminds us in v. 9 “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” The GOD of Peace is with you and His peace will GUARD your heart and mind. With that kind of protection—why worry?
Those who do not believe do not pray. This is a good functional definition of faith. Faith prays, unbelief does not. - John A. Hardon
So what's the cure for worry?
Spiritually stable people react to trials with thankful prayer. Such prayer is the antidote to worry and the cure for anxiety. When thanksgiving is our priority and attitude of our heart, then worry has no room to operate.
The Bible truly has a lot to say about worry, because God simply doesn’t want us to waste our time doing it. Be determined to live a worry free life by securing your mind in Christ and watch your faith and relationship with Christ grow!
Look around and be distressed.
Look inside and be depressed.
Look at Jesus and be at rest. - Corrie Ten Boom
