DOMINION OVER DARTS OF ANXIETY

“BE ANXIOUS for NOTHING, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” – Phi.4:6

Believers in Christ are empowered to exercise DOMINION over DARTS of ANXIETY: “BE ANXIOUS for NOTHING, 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 minds through Christ Jesus” (Phi.4:6-7). ANXIETY or WORRY is a state of nervousness that the devil thrives on. But God will not demand that we do what He has not empowered us to! By the Power of His Spirit, we can live above anxiety. We need not fret or be anxious about anything, but in every circumstance, by prayer, petition, and thanksgiving, we should continually make our requests known to God. Then, the peace of God will garrison our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus!

All around the world, multitudes are anxious, worried, and petrified, not just about the future, but even about the present: People are anxious about their children, spouses, health, education, jobs, bills, businesses, and even ministries! Many are anxious about the evils and troubles in the world: kidnappings, shootings, poverty, political turmoil, social unrest, and natural disasters. Meanwhile, our Lord Jesus assures us of Victory over terror, and peace amidst the world’s crisis and chaos: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jh.16:33).

There’s no need for us to have anxiety or panic-bouts over anything. In Christ, we’ve already overcome Satan, the world and every crisis: “You are of God, little children, and HAVE OVERCOME them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 Jh.4:4). To say we cannot help being anxious is to accuse God of lying to us! The fact that God says, “Don’t be anxious,” means we can live without anxiety. Our response of Faith, should be: “Blessed be God! I live in the peace of Christ; I do not fret! He has perfected all that concerns me. Hallelujah!”

There are three key words in these verses that unveil the theme: ANXIOUS; PRAYER; and, PEACE. Being anxious is the problem we are told to put off; prayer is the procedure we are told to practice; peace is the product we are promised by God.

We must put off the Problem of Anxiety. Being anxious is rooted in the sin of unbelief. Anxiety stems from a lack of faith and a wrong focus on the things of this world instead of on the kingdom of God (Mt. 6:25-34). Anxiety and joy are mutually exclusive. Our Christian testimony must display God’s peace even in the face of trials (Phi.2:14-18). Whatever the root cause – lack of faith in God or wrong focus on self, anxiety is sin that must be confessed to God and put off. However, to be concerned about the future welfare to the extent that we take responsibility to plan or be proactive should not be misconstrued as anxiety (Pro. 6:6-11).

We must practice prayer with thankfulness about every concern. Prayer is a personal drawing near to the Triune God, in the name  of the Son – JESUS, by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit who dwells in every believer and prompts us as we pray, interceding for us (Rom. 8:26-27). As a principle, our supplications must be in line with God’s Will and purpose. The primary focus of our prayers should be on God’s kingdom and righteousness, and secondarily, our personal needs (Mt. 6:9-13).

We are promised God’s incomparable peace when we pray (v.7). This is not some psychological peace gained through coping techniques or Transcendental Meditation! It is the authentic Peace (Jh.14:27). The Sovereign and Lord of the Universe is never subject to anxiety! Nothing takes Him by surprise or makes Him bite His nails! Every child of God is entitled to His Peace which stands guard like a sentry over our hearts! We can put our full weight on Him, and He will bear us up with His indescribable peace!