“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” (Proverbs 12:25 NIV).
Anxiety weighs you down. Anxiety is defined by the American Psychology Association (APA) as “an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure.” I’ve struggled with anxiety, sometimes more than others. In this time of social isolation and coronavirus, it’s a constant battle for all of us. But God has an answer for our anxiety, Him. We can give it all to Him. We can let His kind words be the first to cheer us up:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7 NIV).
I can not tell you how many times I have put these verses into practice in my life. I’m learning to recognize my anxiety. When I do, I know Who can handle it. Anxiety weighs down the heart, but God lifts it up.
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but God lifts it up.
About a year ago, I had a situation occur that took me completely off guard. Anxiety immediately reared its ugly head in my life. One of my friends gave me wise advice in dealing with it. She challenged me into determining whether it was a problem or a predicament.
A problem can be solved. Action can be taken to fix whatever the situation is. A predicament cannot be solved, we have to find a way to cope with it. The coronavirus is a predicament. There is nothing we can do to stop it, we have to let it run its course. Therefore we have to learn how to cope with it.
The first thing we can do to cope with our anxiety is talk to God about it in prayer. Honestly, openly, pouring our hearts out to Him completely. We can thank Him for what He has done and is doing in this situation. Then we can ask Him for His strength, His love, His mercy to carry us through. When we do, His peace will be upon us, and we will be able to share it with others.
When we have the peace that surpasses all understanding, we’re able to let it overflow in our words to those around us. We’ll have kind words to lift the anxiety others are feeling. We’ll be able to cheer up those who are downtrodden with anxiety. We’ll be able to share God’s love with them. When we do, we’ll cheer their anxious hearts.
Question of the Day:
How can you share God’s peace with someone today?
Further Reading: Deuteronomy 33:1-29 NIV, Luke 13:1-21 NIV, Psalm 78:65-72 NIV, Proverbs 12:25 NIV
