Anxiety : The lack of Peace

Let's be honest and clear here. If we are anxious about something...we are not trusting the Lord. This is a truth that people often love to argue against and twist around. But worrying and anxiety is something that God straight up told us not to do [Philippians 4:6 for example].  But we will never stop worrying /being anxious UNTIL we admit this. Only then can we repent and move towards freedom.

No one LIKES anxiety. What we're really looking for is peace.
But why don't I have it??

Truth : Peace is a byproduct. According to Galatians 5, Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. If you look around at the world, that's what people are always searching for. We see actors and the richest people with no care in the world have no peace. WHY? Because the Holy Spirit produces it. We ourselves cannot produce it!

Practical Application #1:The Spirit-Filled Life.

There's nothing more practical than the Spirit filled life. Only following the Holy Spirit on a moment by moment basis will bring peace. I wish I had an easier answer than this. But peace only comes when we follow the Spirit. That means if you are living a life in rebellion to God then you do not have any LASTING peace [note that there is something called a temporary peace but what's temporary is nothing but a counterfeit] .

Practical Application #2: Taking Every Thought Captive/Embrace Truth.

So what if I am NOT in rebellion to God? Why then don't I experience peace? Well, one thing that I have learned in looking at David is that there is something about our thoughts. In an earlier post we discussed truth being the Gatekeeper. This is the practical "how to" of doing that. Literally we must choose to say "no" to that thought and "yes" to truth. Here's an example. Let's say we're worrying about messing up something so bad and not even the Lord can fix it. So, this is obviously a lie but what truth can we combat it with? Proverbs 3:5-6 promises that if we trust in the Lord He makes our paths straight. IF we cast down that lie we will then choose to think on this truth that God promises His protection and Guidance. This verse speaks on not just guidance and showing us where to go BEFORE we get into a "situation", but also tremendous favor and grace to overcome/plow through/protect us against any obstacles or enemies that might try to derail our path.

This verse shows us that we have NOTHING to worry about. We don't need to entertain the "whatifs". Why? Because He is Sovereign... He is in control. Not me. Not you. Not the President. Not your mom. But HIM. And if deep down in your heart, your motive and desire is to do His will, you will get to your destination because HE will get us there.  Our job is to walk and to trust and not worry and try to figure things out. Even if you make a "wrong turn"...He will simply "recalculate" and get you to where you are supposed to be. Taking every thought captive is simply us walking by the Spirit and choosing His way. If we seriously think on What Would Jesus Do? we would KNOW that He would BELIEVE Truth. That's exactly what He did in the desert when He encountered the Devil. He simply kept casting down those lies and choosing truth. The Word is the Spirit. So we must fight with TRUTH. It's not by our Strength or our own hands. Wield the Sword that God has provided for us! There is POWER IN THE WORD.