Victory Over Anxiety

Victory over Anxiety

Philippians 4:4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!

Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit). The Lord is near [He is coming soon].

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.

Philippians chapter 4 verses 4 thru 9 give us direction in walking free from anxiety and fear. Webster Dictionary defines anxiety as painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind, fearful concern or interest. Focusing on self, circumstances around you and trials you may be facing will produce fear and anxiety in the mind. Fear is a spirit which is from the enemy and not God. God gave us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7). The lies the enemy feeds you come into your mind through thoughts or images. He tries to get you to focus on the problem and not the answer. Philippians 4:4 tells us to rejoice in the Lord always. When we begin rejoice and praise Him it changes our focus onto Him and not ourselves. We may not feel like it at the time but we praise Him in spite of our feelings. Praising and rejoicing in Him changes us, we become less self centered and more God centered. In Phil 4:6 we are told "by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God." Be definite about your requests, know what you want and through prayer receive them. While you are praying be thankful. A thankful heart takes you a lot farther than an ungrateful, complaining heart. We are also to continue to make our requests known to God; don't ever stop. Whenever anxiety or fear hits you continue to pray with thanksgiving. The results will be the peace of God that will guard your heart and mind. If what you are allowing into your mind isn't bringing you peace then you know it's from the enemy. Verse 8 of Philippians 4 tells us what kind of things to fill our minds with. Are your thoughts pure? Are they lovely? Are they kind? Are they filled with anything worthy praise? Some versions say "whatever things of good report" Are your thoughts filled with things of good report?

Finally verse 9 says to practice what you have learned. You can hear and read about how to walk in victory over anxiety and fear, but for it to actually work in your life you have to apply verses 4 thru 8.

Praise Him.

Make your request to Him with thanksgiving.

Pay attention to what you are thinking about.

You have to apply it in your life.