Thoughts for Life: #14 The Cure For Anxiety

Alvin Vandergriend- "It happens regularly nowadays. A beeper goes off in a room full of people. In response to the beeper, someone gets up, leaves the room, and makes a phone call. Something needed immediate attention, and the phone call took care of it.

Life is full of things that need immediate attention. Problems, frustrations, and distresses can produce anxiety and rob us of peace. God doesn't want this to happen, so He has provided a way that we can get in touch with Him immediately when anxiety attacks. (Google image, Cell phone )

Anxiety is God's beeper system alerting us that it's time to talk to God about a situation that worries us. God invites us to come to Him in prayer when anxiety threatens, and He promises that He will restore peace in our lives.

We are welcome to come to God with any request, large or small. Nothing is too great for God's power; nothing is too small for Him to care about. If it is a concern to you, it is a concern to God.

We're encouraged to come "with thanksgiving." Thanksgiving arises from remembering who God is and what He does for us. Remember that God is love and that nothing can separate us from His love (1 John 4:16; Romans 8:38-39).

Remember that God is mighty and that His strong right arm is our defense (Psalm 60 :5). Remember that God's goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life (Psalm 23:6), and you will always be thankful (Colossians 2:7).

The result of prayer is peace--"the peace of God, which transcends all understanding"
— a peace that is beyond the ability of humans to contrive or produce.

God not only works out for good the situations we place in His hands (Romans 8:28); He also works in us to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

Is God beeping you through some concern in your heart or life? Get in touch with Him immediately. Don't delay! He'll be glad to have you come. He's invited you. He has a wonderful peace to give you.

(pp. 40, 41 in Love to Pray- 40 Day Devotional for Deepening Your Prayer Life by Alvin Vandergriend)

Today's Bible verses-

Philippians 4:6-7 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, resent your requests to God. (v. 7) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

James 3:9-10 (NIV) “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”

Let's Pray-

Father, as we consider how we've handled worries and anxiety in the past, may we be determined to make a radical change in our thinking. Based on these Scriptures, please guard our minds and hearts to come through the Lord Jesus for Your peace that You offer.

We admit that in the past, we have been guilty of mismanaging our anxieties, and we come to You today for the peace You give to those who ask for Your help. We ask that You give us peace in the midst of troubling situations.

We thank You for all the many blessings You've given, and we look forward to when we come to You for peace in times anxiety strikes, for we know that Your peace will bless and help us to deal with it. In Jesus' name we ask this. Amen.

Quote for today-

Oswald Chambers- "We say, 'Oh, if only I really could believe!' The question is, Will I believe?" No wonder Jesus Christ placed such emphasis on the sin of unbelief. 'He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief' (Matthew 13:58). If we really believed that God meant what He said, just imagine what we would be like! Do I really dare to let God be to me all that He says He will be?" (July 9, MY UTMOST for HIS HIGHEST, updated edition)

Words of wisdom-

Corrie Ten Boom- "There is a hunger in our hearts that is never satisfied, except by Jesus. Do you feel lonesome and hungry? Do you have problems that you can't solve? Do you feel chased, with no way out? Dome to Him."