Anxiety could come from us or from external sources. However it comes or manifests, we must remember that we are not in charge of our own affairs but God. He allowed the situation for his purpose and pleasure. We must avoid some environments which sustain anxiety which includes;
Our needless toils or ventures
David wrote in Psalms 127: 2 it is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved. Our toils cannot give us satisfaction but God does. Hebrews 13:5 says keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for God has said, I will never fail you nor forsake you. We must ask God for directions rather than our needless toils.
Our unhealthy competition
Solomon traced anxiety to envy. He wrote in Ecclesiastes 4: 4 then I saw that the toil and all skill in work come from one person’s envy of another. This also is vanity and chasing after wind. Unhealthy competition is not rewarding. Everyone has the grace to excel differently to edify the church.
Romans 12: 6 says we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12: 4, there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. Jesus emphasized this in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. All cannot be the head or first but relevant before God which is most important.
Our lacking good foundation
Our foundation must be in God. Jeremiah 17: 7-8 say blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. They shall be like a tree planted by water… It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.
Christ Jesus must be our foundation in God. 1 Corinthians 3: 11 says for no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. Also, Hebrews 6: 19 says we have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain.
The role of prayer when anxious
Paul wrote in Philippians 4: 6 do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made to God. Paul says that rather than being anxious, we must pray. He is however by no means advocating for laziness but allowing God to lead us.
For effective prayer, Jesus said in Matthew 21: 22 whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive. It is added in James 1: 6-7… ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
In the event of any doubt, Jesus says in John 14: 1, do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. We tremble because of our small faith but Jesus says whoever believes in God as capable must also believe in him to do what we ask from God.
We must take God at his word. Numbers 23: 19 says God is not a human being, that he should lie, or mortal, that he should change his mind. Has he promised, and will he not do it? Has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Our faith in God wavers when we equate God to man. We must be anxious for nothing but our eternity with God. Philippians 2: 12 says work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Be anxious for nothing but a worthy relationship with Christ Jesus.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, our anxiety is rooted in unrighteousness. Please increase our faith in you so we may depend on your word for our lives and in all circumstances. Grant us the grace to apply scripture in all our engagements and in everything we do knowing that you are the word. Let our faith not fade because of your mercy. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!
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