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Dealing with Anxiety

Written by Muriel Larson

Years ago my husband and I were going through financial problems and I was distraught with worry. Then I read Philippians 4:6-7, which told me not to be anxious about anything, but to bring everything to the Lord in prayer, with thanksgiving.

After I turned everything over to the Lord and started giving thanks to Him, faith filled me and I received “the peace of God that passes all understanding” that verse seven promises.

But when we are depressed and despairing, for what can we thank God? I have learned that thanking God for the following can lift my heart and outlook above the things and problems of this world:

• His beautiful creation
  I grew up in a summer resort in New Jersey where living close to nature was part of my life – pine trees, water, gorgeous sunsets. My early attention to the beauties of God’s world gave me added appreciation of the amazing variety of plants, creatures and scenery God has given us to enjoy. When I praise God for something He made, it increases my joy and appreciation for His creation.

  

  Life Lesson: Time management
  Resolution: Check your compass
  

  Jesus said: “Consider the lilies of the field…. Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these” (Matthew 6:28-29).

• The provisions of life
  Even though we say grace, we may take the food we eat for granted. We’d enjoy it much more if we were grateful! The next time you eat one of your favorite foods, be thankful for its availability. Many people in the world only have plain rice to eat. When we think of our less-privileged, hungry brothers and sister in Christ, let’s pray, “Lord, give us this day our daily bread.” Everything we have comes from God.

  Ecclesiastes 5:19 says:“Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God.” We can enjoy even more our families, a nice home, warm clothing and conveniences that make our lives easier by thanking God for them.

• Fellowship of the saints
  Wherever we Christians go, we can find instant brothers in sisters in Christ. That is His fellowship, His church. When we grieve or feel depressed, our brothers and sisters comfort and pray for us. Their prayers help bring healing and wisdom and carry us through troubled waters on the wings of God’s grace. Many of us Christians take for granted our church, pastor and fellow Christians. Sad it is that we must be struck by some calamity before we realize the blessing our spiritual family can be to us.

  Our Lord has given us the fellowship of the saints for our enrichment and increase of joy.  Colossians 3:16 says: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

• God’s promises
  The Bible is full of God’s promises, especially Psalms. When troubles have assailed I have opened my Bible and up has popped a precious promise for me that has proven to be a great comfort. But we don’t have to go through troubled times to appreciate God’s promises. His blessings are new every morning.

Thank God

The Lord has promised us freedom from anxiety, along with His peace that passes all understanding, if we simply trust Him with everything. (Philippians 4:6-7) He promised to supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19); supernatural joy to His followers (John 15:11); an abundant life (John 10:10); and answered prayers (John 14:14). Let’s not forget to thank
Him!

The greatest gift God gave mankind was His only begotten Son who gave His life to grant us forgiveness of sin and everlasting life. Through His Spirit God gives us joy, peace and victory. Let us rejoice in our Lord and give thanks to Him in all things!

Clinton C. Cox declared this about the deliverance thankfulness can give us,

“John Henry Jowett said, ‘Gratitude is a vaccine, an antitoxin, and an antiseptic.’ This is a most searching and true diagnosis. Gratitude can be a vaccine that can prevent the invasion of a disgruntled attitude. As antitoxins prevent the disastrous effects of certain poisons and diseases, thanksgiving destroys the poison of faultfinding and grumbling. When trouble has smitten us, a spirit of thanksgiving is a soothing antiseptic.”

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