Anxious For Everything, Something or Nothing?

Philippians 4:6 tells us to be anxious for nothing. NOTHING?! If you're like me you will scoff at that thought and ask how that is possible. It's more like anxious for something, anything, all things, everything! But nothing? The original Greek word means "nothing....none, no one, nobody"...I get the picture. That means none, zilch, zero.

I know what you're thinking right now,

"Nope, not possible."

Well, I'm here to call you out and dispute that fact. Sorry to turn and burn. But, I call 'em as I see 'em. All I can do is preach the truth. Okay, okay, I can honestly say that I haven't exactly got to the anxious for nothing part yet. I'm more at the"anxious for some things" part at this point in my life. But, it's better than anxious for everything, though, right? That's where I used to be.

I could give you a backstory to the childhood of a little girl who had a father that told her that she was never good enough and never seemed to do anything right to please her controlling father. I will spare you the details, but give you the result. It made for one anxious adult. Busted...it's me. No surprise there. Fast forward to a woman who has dealt with life long anxieties. Anxieties that controlled my thoughts,emotions, mental abilities. Made me worrisome, fearful, obsessive, a people-pleaser seeking affirmation from others and maybe even just a little crazy. But the craziness is one of my endearing qualities. Those who know me may not agree. I even had a bit of social anxiety that would lead to me having angst over the simplest of tasks or situations.

You may experience the same thing or something similar in your life. What if I told you there is a solution? There is an answer? No, I'm not trying to sell you the next, new "miracle antidepressant drug". I'm here to tell you about how the GREAT PHYSICIAN, the wonderful Counsalor, the Prince of Peace helped heal me of my life-long anxieties. The holy trinity of cures, take three of these and call me in the morning!

"How?" You may ask. Well, you're in luck. I'm, going to tell you.

Sharing all of that information about myself and my past has made me a little anxious if I'm being honest. But, I want to share this story to help encourage you and build you up and bring glory to my God. I would be amiss to not share this mentally and spiritually life-saving information with you.

Step 1: Hide God's Word in Your Heart (Psalm 119:11)

God's word is powerful and sharper and stronger than any anxieties you face (Hebrew 4:12). Know scripture, memorize scripture, but you cannot just read these words, though. They have to become part of you. They have to be hidden in your heart. They have to be ingrained in your head and heart so you can recall them to memory when anxieties arise. You have to squash those lies from the devil (which is where a lot of anxieties come from) and combat them with the truth from God's word.

Here are some verses that have helped me and I have quoted and still quote over and over again every time anxiety raises it's ugly head.

Whom have I in heaven but you? There is none on this earth I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is my strength and portion forever. Psalm 73:25-26 This verse has helped me tremendously. My heart fails me hard and often, but God never does. That's why this verse has inspired the name of my blog.

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again--my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5

With the multitude of anxieties within me your comforts delight my soul. Psalm 94:19

I copied these down straight from the tablet on my heart. (Proverbs 7:3)

Cast all your cares (anxieties, fears, worries) on the Lord, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

OK, so another fun fact here is the Greek word for 'all'is 'pas'. This is nothing's opponent. The opposite of nothing, it's everything.

"All(Pas)" says, I can cast all things, everything, every one, all manner, anything, daily, whatsoever always on my God because, guess what? He cares for me. He cares for you.

These are just four examples that you can use. Use these, look up your own verses that speak to you and help you battle the fear within.

I'll be honest, I don't always know where these verses are found in the word, but I know the words, they are committed to memory, they are in my head and in my heart. That's the point to be able to recall them when necessary.

2. Pray These Verses to God and Have Faith He Will Answer

When anxieties flare remember the words you have hidden in your head and heart and pray those words to God. Pray them over and over. Actually tell God that you know that there is none on this earth that you desire besides Him. If there are others that you feel are more important to you than God, then ask Him to help you let Him be all that you need. Cry out to God and tell Him you are down, discouraged and sad but you still want to praise Him. Pour your heart out to God and let Him know that your fears and worries are great, that you have a multitude of anxieties within you and ask Him to let His comforts delight your soul. When you go to God with these prayers you have to believe that He will come through and answer accordingly in due time. God listens and knows those who diligently seek Him and He says He will reward those who do. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

3. Praise God

To this I will reference a verse I quoted earlier. Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again--my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5

This Psalmist not only told God of his discouragement but also that his hope was in God and he would still praise Him no matter the circumstance. Praise to an almighty God when in distress is a good thing. It takes our focus off of our despairing situation and puts the focus on a God who saves. Sing songs of prays to God out loud or in your head when feeling down or anxious.

4. Serve Others. Look Outside Yourself.

I think when I truly got around to doing this fourth step, combined with all of the others I was able to finally kiss the majority of my anxieties goodbye. Look out for the interest of others as Philippians 2:4 says.

I can say truly, that I used to do a lot of my good deeds to be liked by others or receive positive affirmation, but once I started serving for the Lord, for His glory and not for myself and expecting nothing in return from anybody else, including their approval was when I felt truly free from the burden and bondage of my anxieties. Bondage is a strong word, but our fears, worries, depression and anxieties can enslave us if we let them. If you suffer from this then you can relate.

So, that's what has helped me. This is the solution that I have. You can transform your thoughts by the renewing your mind (Romans 12:2). This will not happen over night. It took me many years and only recently after 42 years can I honestly say I am not an anxiety ridden person. These anxieties do start to flare from time to time but I can easily squash them now with the truth of God's word.

I understand some people may have some serious mental anxiety issues and may need alternate treatment or medications. I'm not disputing that. I know for me the healing power of Jesus Christ is what saved me from my anxieties. Now I'm more confident and stronger and am able to share this with an audience which I would've been too scared to do before. I've come a long way and you can too if you go to see the great physician for a heart check up. I hope and pray that you heed this advice and can be truly free from your anxieties and be anxious for something and maybe together we can get to the point that we're anxious for nothing.