Tonight, Lord willing, we’ll be discussing Philippians 4, including verses 6 and 7, which read:
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.
I plan on mentioning this, but I wanted to post it here, for anyone who would like to make use of it.
One of the most helpful things I’ve found for combating specific personal issues is to find targeted scriptures which specifically address the issue, to memorize those scriptures, and then, to rehearse the scriptures whenever the issue rears its head.
It’s a way to use the Sword of the Spirit. It’s a way to depend on the Lord. It’s a way to force my thoughts to align with his thoughts. It’s a way to actively fight, instead of just passively hoping for the issue to resolve itself or go away. (How often does that work anyway? Very little in the Christian life is attained passively.)
So, since the passage we’ll look at on Monday leads us to think and talk about anxiety, I offer these five lines of Psalms for you to actively use in your fight against anxiety. For the first step, I suggest you memorize the acronym CCTWF. Memorize that, and then, use each letter to trigger your memory of each verse that follows:
C: Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22 )
C: Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. (Psalm 37:5)
T: Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. (Psalm 62:8)
W: Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! (Psalm 27:14)
F: My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me. (Psalm 63:8)
I recommend this: Work on memorizing each verse. Be able to run through the letters, and verses in your head. Maybe work on running through each word (“Cast, Commit, Trust, Wait, Follow”). And then, whenever anxiety strikes, go over these verses. Also, think about each verse, and turn it into a prayer. Something like:
“Father, this is burdening me. I throw it on your back Lord. I drop it in your hands. I don’t want to pick it up again. You carry it, Lord. Thank you that you want to bear the weight of all our burdens. Thank you that, if you strengthen me, nothing in this world can move me.”
“Lord, you know my future. I commit the path ahead of me to you, I acknowledge that you’re there, ahead of me, preparing the way, and that, when I get there, you’ll be there with me, to sustain me.”
“Father, you see the anxiety in my heart. Lord, whatever else I’m feeling, please here my voice and my heart–I trust You! Thank you that you are a true refuge!”
“Lord, I’m going to keep trusting and waiting for you. I know you’ll come through. Please strengthen my heart.”
“Jesus, I commit afresh to follow You. Spirit, uphold me!”
God governs the universe and upholds his people with his word. Where the word is, God is. He is present to us in his word. When we fill our thoughts and hearts with his word, God is filling our inner person.
So, friends, wherever and whenever you need Him—let God’s word be your strength.