A Biblical Prescription for Troubled Times ~ Guest Post by Annie Dahlin

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.  The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Philippians 4:4-8

Photo by Aaron Burden

I have always been a bit of a worrier.  If there were a queen of worry, I’d probably be it.  Even before COVID-19 completely turned our world upside down there was plenty I was tempted to worry about.  All of us have been affected by COVID-19 in one way or another.  If you have been feeling anxious and worried during this crazy time, you are not alone, sweet friend. 

During my morning quiet times I had been praying for the Lord to help me conquer my worry and anxiety.  I know He tells us not to worry and be anxious, but I was really struggling with how to put that into practice.  I started reading verses in scripture about worry and anxiety and there are quite a few.  Even in the Psalms we are told not to fret.  In 2 Corinthians 10:5 we are told to take every thought captive.  But HOW do we control our anxious thoughts when they are are running around in our head like a pack of wild hyenas that can’t be tamed?! Philippians 4:4-8 tells us! 

First, we are told to rejoice. And not only are we to rejoice, we are to rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS.  It doesn’t say rejoice in the Lord only when times are good.  We are to rejoice when things are hard.  I know for me, when I choose to rejoice and focus on all the Lord has done for me, even when times are hard, it helps my heart to not be so anxious.  

Second, we are told to pray and pray with thanksgiving.   God wants us to bring our worries and troubles to Him.  He wants us to come to Him with our needs.  But we are to come to Him with grateful hearts for all He has already done for us.  I know for me, when I am focusing on all the things the Lord has done for me and given me, my anxious heart starts to calm down.  When we bring our worried hearts to the Lord in prayer and thanksgiving, He calms our fears and gives us peace.  He doesn’t promise to take away what is troubling us, but He does promise to give us peace and it really is peace that passes all understanding.

Third, we are told to think on what is true.  A sweet friend of mine calls Philippians 4:8 the Bible’s prescription for good mental health, and I couldn’t agree more.  So, what is true?  The Word of God is truth.  We need to be filling our minds with the truth of God’s Word.  If we neglect reading the Bible, then we are leaving our hearts and minds wide open for anything and everything to get inside that might not be true.  

Also, thinking on what is true means we aren’t worrying and fretting about tomorrow.  In Matthew 6:34 Jesus tells us to not be anxious about tomorrow.  Our “what ifs” about tomorrow aren’t true because tomorrow hasn’t come yet.  Today is what is true.  Today is what the Lord gives us grace for, and when tomorrow arrives, He will give us grace for tomorrow.  

Focus on what is true about today.  Today all the bills are paid, today we have a roof over our heads, today we have plenty of food in the fridge and pantry, today there is gas in the gas tank, today we have our health, etc., etc., etc.,… and tomorrow, if any of those things change, we will bring our need to Him with thanksgiving. 

So, sweet friend, when your heart is anxious, and you feel like your world is caving in I encourage you:

• REJOICE

• PRAY and bring your worries and needs to Him WITH THANKSGIVING. 

• FILL YOUR MIND WITH THE TRUTH of God’s Word and choose to not fret over tomorrow            but focus on and be thankful for today.     

Let the peace of God which passes all understanding guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. 

Love,

Annie 

Verses to meditate on when your heart is anxious:

• Matthew 6:25-34

• Psalm 94:19

• Isaiah 41:10

• 1 Peter 5:6-7

• 2 Timothy 1:7

Bio:  I live in beautiful North Idaho with my husband and 10-year-old son.  I love Jesus and am thankful everyday for his grace in my life.  I love the mountains, hiking, camping, gardening and just being outside in general.  When I’m inside I love cooking, baking, sewing, crocheting, blogging and basically anything crafty.  

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Such wonderful, comforting wisdom for us all to apply to our anxious hearts in these distressing times.
Please visit Annie's blog at Growing in Grace where you will find sweet encouragement, recipes, and beautiful stories about Annie's everyday life.  You can also connect with Annie on Instagram.


He Will Hold Me Fast ~ Keith & Kristyn Getty

May the Lord bless each one of you dear readers.