FEAR NOT!
Part 2
DO NOT BE ANXIOUS!
by
Bernie Lutchman
The Federal Government's National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) says that over 20 million Americans (or more than 1 in 8) suffer DAILY from Anxiety. The government says anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. We don't need another study to tell us this because the pressures of daily living is enough to drive anyone off the edge! That is, anyone who does not have the proper grounding in the Truth...and even those of us, at times...face anxious moments.
It could be an initial natural human reaction. Since this is not a research paper on the five major types of anxiety (from Social Phobia to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), I wish to take a look at what should really fortify us in these horrible socio-economic and even environmental times! It seems every facet of our civilization is not only under attack, but crumbling under the weight on humanity!
Philippians 4:6 (NASB) says "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God". Now we know God will answer prayer - IN HIS OWN TIME! But what about the time when a bill is due or you need milk for a child, have no money or a prescription filled with no funds....is God still there? YES, YES and YES!
Everyone of us have been through situations where we had nothing, knew nothing, could find no way out and had no idea where to go. How did WE get through it? Did we do as Job's wife said "Curse God and Die" or do we persevere through Trials? Do you pack it in and say "I've had it with God" or do we examine other alternatives and ask HIM (WITH A GENUINE POLITE HEART), "why is this happening"?!!
Do we become a statistic in America where most of the top ten selling drugs in 2011 are related to heartburn and acid reflux disorders or breathing problems? No we don't. First of all thank God that Prozac is not number 1 anymore!! We must do what seems almost too simplistic, ordinary and guaranteed NOT TO WORK (to the world, I mean!!) - PRAY!!
WE HAVE TO PRAY!! Jesus said ""For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" (Mathew 6:25 NASB)
I can't recall how many times, He has brought provision, a check in the mail or a friend to comfort or call when things go sideways in the past, in my life....just when it seems all is forsaken! Perseverance is the antidote to Anxiety and a calm spirit - knowing and having that assurance that you are child of the living God is the Balm in Gilead! Therefore, please meditate on the following passages today and pray it back to God and put your name in there and pray it again! Then watch His Peace flood your heart with joy....all the live long day!!
PSALM 37 (nkjv)
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.
4 Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.
---
16 A little that a righteous man has
Is better than the riches of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
But the LORD upholds the righteous.
18 The LORD knows the days of the upright,
And their inheritance shall be forever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time,
And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20 But the wicked shall perish;
And the enemies of the LORD,
Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish.
Into smoke they shall vanish away.
21 The wicked borrows and does not repay,
But the righteous shows mercy and gives.
22 For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth,
But those cursed by Him shall be cut off.
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the LORD upholds him with His hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lends;
And his descendants are blessed.
Is better than the riches of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
But the LORD upholds the righteous.
18 The LORD knows the days of the upright,
And their inheritance shall be forever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time,
And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20 But the wicked shall perish;
And the enemies of the LORD,
Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish.
Into smoke they shall vanish away.
21 The wicked borrows and does not repay,
But the righteous shows mercy and gives.
22 For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth,
But those cursed by Him shall be cut off.
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the LORD upholds him with His hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lends;
And his descendants are blessed.
(image courtesy Google Images)
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