Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NRSVUE)
Orville and I confess, sometimes we carry a lot of things in our minds – family, friends, health, projects, etc. If you google just the word “anxiety”, you’ll find a list of symptoms – physical and mental that would perhaps scare you. So, I googled “feeling anxious.” One of the first things to pop up was this short list on dealing with the feeling.
- Practice Deep Breathing: Take slow, deep breaths to help calm your mind and body.
- Engage in Physical Activity: Exercise can help reduce anxiety and improve your mood.
- Limit Caffeine and Sugar: Reducing these can help decrease feelings of anxiety.
- Use Mindfulness Techniques: Focus on the present moment to help alleviate anxious thoughts.
- Talk to Someone: Sharing your feelings with a friend or a mental health professional can provide support and relief.
Then there’s our verses for today. “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Sometimes I/we practice the listed techniques first. They do help sometimes, but God wants us to carry all those things on our minds to Him in prayer and ask for help and guidance. Another part of this is “with thanksgiving.” And the final part is the promise of peace that surpasses all our human understanding.
Questions for Reflection:
- Things to think about: What is the first thing you do to handle your anxiety or stresses? Have you tried it God’s way? What works?
Prayer:
Thank you for wanting to hear our anxious thoughts and your promise of peace. Help us to remember daily (and nightly) that you are with us and available. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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