Prov. 12:25 NKJV—Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.
See also Matthew 6:25-34 NKJV
2 Tim. 1:7 NKJV—For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a
sound mind.
TODAY’S MAIN TEXT:
Phil. 4:6-7 NKJV—Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.
Merimnao μεριμνάω (verb) To be anxious or to worry. A combination of the word “Merizo” meaning to divide and “Nous” meaning mind; a divided mind.
Worry (verb) To give way to anxiety or unease. Comes from an Old English word meaning to choke or strangle.
“Be anxious for nothing…”
When we are anxious, we forget who
We forget that…
• As co-heirs with Christ, we share in His glory, riches, all things.
• We have access to His power and glory
• He will meet our needs
• Whatever we are facing, we can rest assured our Heavenly Father is aware of it and will
stick with us through it all
God will give us the
“…but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;”
Psalm 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
See also Matthew 20:29-34, Matthew 7:7-8
“…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding…”
The Bible describes three aspects of God’s peace:
• Peace
• Peace
• Peace
Rom. 8:28 NASB And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
See also Isaiah 26:3, John 16:33
“…will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Guard = To protect like a military guard, to watch over
Heart = Our innermost character feelings, or tendencies
Mind = Our ability to recall; memory that feels, perceives, thinks, wills; organized conscious and unconscious adaptive mental activity
To lose heart or mind is usually connected to an absence of God’s peace!
Ask yourself, do I really believe that…
• God can be trusted?
• God loves me?
• God has a specific plan for me?
Additional References: 1 Peter 5:6-7
• God is all powerful? • God is sovereign?
• God is a good God?
“Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also harder to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden: it is easier to say, “My tooth is aching” than to say, “My heart is broken.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain