The Antidote for Anxiety and Depression: Trust in Abba Father’s Care – Pt 5
Do Not Be Anxious for Anything!
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
– Philippians 4:6
I have had many experiences where my heart and mind were so overwhelmed by life’s events that anxiety took a hold of me. It automatically became my first response to everything, even the good things. My mind would become confused, my heart would palpitate so rapidly, my body would sweat, and many a times I would blackout. I felt like I had no control of my thoughts and actions. Many times, in order to end the horrible feeling of a panic attack, I exhibited some irrational behaviours that only caused me more harm than good, for which I later regretted. I went through all of the above because I was nervous about everything. I didn’t trust in my Heavenly Father’s care for me. I thought I trusted Him but my actions indicated otherwise. Not that I didn’t want to trust Him but trust had been an issue for me for a long time. I found it difficult to trust because I felt hurt, rejected, and disappointed so many time by people who I held in high esteem that I transferred that mistrust to God unconsciously.
Philippians 4:6 encourages us by saying “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God”.
Today I will like to draw your attention to the following words from the aforementioned verse in order to help you understand the true essence of this portion of Scripture.
The word “careful” is translated in other versions of the Bible as “anxious” or “worry”. We must not be anxious or worry about anything. Anxiety has a way of creeping up on some of us for no apparent reason. It is an emotion that often times has no precipitation cause for it to be experienced. This is one of the ways the enemy of our souls lobs us into a cataclysm of anxiety and panic, that sometimes cause us to do things that we are later remorseful for. It can cripple both our physical and emotional functioning as well as put us in spiritual bondages that hinder our relationship to God.
The word “everything” comes from the Greek panti. It holds everything. It is an all-inclusive word – including the finest, most minute details. Friends, God cares about everything that concerns your life. Therefore, He invites you to come boldly to Him and He waits eagerly for you.
The word “prayer” in this verse is a translation of the word proseuche which is the most common Greek word for “prayer” in the New Testament. This particular word and its various forms are used approximately 127 times in the New Testament. Proseuche is a compound of the words pros and euche.
The word pros is a preposition that means toward, and it can denote a sense of closeness. Practically everywhere it is used in the New Testament, the word pros conveys the meaning of close, up-front, intimate contact with someone else.
The word euche is an old Greek word that defines a wish, desire, prayer, or vow. It was originally used to depict a person who made some kind of vow to God because of some need or desire in his or her life. This individual will vow to give something of great value to God in exchange for a favourable answer to prayer. A Perfect example of this word can be found in the Old Testament story of Hannah, the mother of Samuel.
The word for “prayer” – proseuche is more than merely a prayer request. This word demands surrender, consecration, and thanksgiving from us. The idea of the word proseuche is this: “Come face to face with God, and surrender your life in exchange for His. Maintain an attitude of consecration as an ongoing part of your life, and be sure to give Him thanks in advance for moving on your behalf…” (Renner, 2003).
Friends, this is what the Holy Spirit is requiring of us today: our prayer should be a vehicle to bring us to a place whereby we may enjoy a close, intimate relationship with God. We should be willing and zealous to make sacrifices and give up all we can as we desire to see our prayers answered. And we should be always giving thanks in advance for answered prayers when we would have offered genuine prayers in faith.
If you are anxious today and feel as though your life is out of control, instead of fixing your thoughts on the things that make you anxious, friends I encourage you to let go and let God take control of your life today.
Have a Blessed day!
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father I pause today to worship and praise You for the privileged opportunities You have allowed me to enjoy a close, intimate relationship with You via my prayers. Thank You for always being there and for hearing and answering my prayers even before I voice them. Thank You for Your Word that encourages me to be anxious for nothing but to pray about and give thanks for everything. I declare that the spirit of anxiety has no more hold on me and that my mind is free from its influences. Therefore, in everything my first response will always be to pray unto God and be thankful. I pray this by faith in Jesus’ name. Amen!
