USA officially the most anxious nation on the planet, “The land is stars and stripes has become land of stress and strife.”
This is the most anxious nation since anxiety has been measured.
When people from third world countries move to the United States, their anxiety spikes. It is as if anxiety is contagious.
2 Thessalonians 2:1 - 2, “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that you be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.”
The Word “shaken” is a perfect description of what people are feeling right now.
The Word “troubled” in this verse indicates inward fright that results from events or news that shocks. It causes be filled with worry, anxiety, or fear. An ongoing state of worry and inward anxiety.
Paul told them not to be troubled in “mind”
Paul was urging Christians to be careful who they listened to or what they opened their minds to when it came to last-days teachings.
If you let these things get to you, it won’t be too long until you’re a nervous wreck!
What does all this anxiety mean? Simply you are a human being.
Anxiety comes with life, Doesn't have to dominate your life. The Bible gives a pathway out of the Valley of Anxiety.
1. FAITH: Holding to the Word of God.
1 John 5:4, "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
2 Thessalonians 2:15, Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
Hold to Faith...child of God, you are a member of an unshakable Kingdom.
Hebrews 12:28, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”
The world all around us may be shaken, but not us — we are a part of an unshakable Kingdom!
Unshakable in our faith,
Unshakable in our commitment to the Lord,
Unshakable to one another.
2. Celebrate God's goodness. Rejoice in the Lord always.
Philippians 4:4-8, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing . . . "
Not many passages more practical for our day. His point is, don't meditate on the mess. The more you stare at the problem, the bigger it gets. When you have a problem, lift up your eyes and rejoice in the Lord.
3. Ask God for Help
“But in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:4-8
Fear triggers either despair or Prayer. The path to peace is always paved with prayer. That's why the devil doesn't want you to pray.
4. Practice Gratitude
“In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.” Philippians 4:4-8
Anxiety and gratitude cannot share the same heart.
The next time you're anxious, begin to make a list of things for which you're grateful Gratitude push out anxiety, refuse to share the same heart. Count your many blessings, name them one by.
5. Meditate on good things
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things you have good report. If there's any virtue, if there's anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:4-8
You cannot control your circumstances, but you can control how you think about them.
Today, I will live today. Yesterday has passed. Tomorrow is not yet. I'm left with today.
6. Leave your concerns with God
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-8
I pray that the peace which only God gives fills you today.
Blessings,
Larry Neville