This is Part 9 of a 10-part series, How to Renew Your Mind: Word of God.
Anxiety is one of the heaviest things a mind can carry. It wakes you at 3 a.m., it runs through the future before you’ve reached it, and it makes small problems look huge. God doesn’t scold anxious people. He gives them a way through.
Be Careful for Nothing
Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).
In the old English, careful means full of care. Paul isn’t saying you should stop caring about your life. He’s saying not to carry it alone. Notice what comes after the prayer. God’s peace stands guard over your hearts and minds. It works like a soldier at the gate.
A Mind Stayed on God
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee (Isaiah 26:3). Peace isn’t the absence of problems. It’s the presence of a mind fixed on God in the middle of them. Where your mind rests is where your peace will be found.
Cast the Care, Not Just Name It
Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you (1 Peter 5:7). Casting means throwing something off yourself onto someone else. God isn’t annoyed by your care. He cares for you. Jesus also gave a reason to stop rehearsing tomorrow: Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself (Matthew 6:34).
The Peace Jesus Leaves
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27). The peace the world offers depends on circumstances. The peace Jesus gives doesn’t.
Four Steps for an Anxious Moment
- Name it. Say plainly what you’re anxious about.
- Give it. Pray about that exact thing and hand it to God, as Philippians 4:6 says.
- Thank Him. Thank Him for something He has already done. Gratitude shifts where your mind is looking.
- Think on truth. Pick one verse from this post and stay with it until the heaviness lifts.
A word of care. If anxiety is constant or overwhelming, please speak with your pastor and with a doctor or counsellor as well. Seeking help isn’t a lack of faith. God often works through wise people too.
Your Step Today
Write down the one worry that has taken the most of your attention this week. Walk it through the four steps and then write the date next to it. When it comes back, and it might, you’ll have a record that you already handed it over.
A Prayer for Today
Father, I cast my care on You because You care for me. Keep my heart and mind in Your peace, and fix my thoughts on You, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Part 10 comes tomorrow: Living the Renewed Life. Come back for the final part, and share this with someone who needs it.