Be Anxious For Nothing

Marking, Planning, the awkward conversation with so and so, planning, rehearsals, observations, what will I wear to this next month, marking, planning, I’m tired ……

I would be sitting next to you and this is pretty much what I would be thinking about as you are speaking to me, a constant replay of all the things I need to do. At one point it occurred to me that I spent more time thinking (actually worrying) about the things I had to do than I actually spent getting them done. I would start the day with a never ending to do list, continuously reading over it, then get upset at the end of the day that majority of the items were not achieved.

The scripture that change everything for me was Philippians 4:6-8. I don’t think there’s a week that goes by where I don’t remind myself of this scripture. This has now become a formula for me to stay worry free. Any time I sense anxiety or fear rising in me, I read this scripture over and over again and do what it instructs.

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

What does it mean to be anxious for nothing? This means that you shouldn’t lose your peace over anything. This doesn’t mean that there won’t be opportunities for this to happen. In fact I can testify that from the moment you get out of bed there are a myriad of things that could cause fear and anxiety, but this passage is telling us to choose to not be anxious. Once you have chosen not to worry, the next step is to turn that worrying thought into a prayer, and lift it up before God, right there and then.

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

What follows on from here is that we are promised that the peace of God will then keep our hearts and minds. God knows that it is impossible to have peace if our hearts and minds are troubled, hence why He made the promise. The formula is completed in verse 8 where Paul urges us to focus our mind on the things which are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and more. This is something that will require practice and training your mind, but I can attest to the fact that the more you study the word, the easier it will become. When your mind is fixed on the word of God, it is shielded and protected from any attacks from the enemy.

Another scripture that has helped me recently is:

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Fear is a spirit that does not come from God. God doesn’t take pleasure in us being fearful and worrying, He wants us to leave all our worries and fears for him to take care of. He has given us the power to overcome all situations, He has given us love which casts out all fear and a sound mind. A mind that is revived, restored and firm in Him.

Starting from today I encourage you to refuse to worry about anything, from the smallest to the biggest things in life, instead turn those over to the Father in prayer and before you know it a sense of wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.

Guest Contributor – Alessandra Oyeloba