In simple terms Anxiety is counterproductive Worry. It’s characterized by feelings of fear, worry, or unease about a perceived threat or uncertain outcome. No one can claim they aren’t Anxious. It is something that affects everyone at different points in life. Whether it’s fear about the future, concerns about relationships, or the stresses of work, anxiety can feel overwhelming.

Bible gives an Antidote to Anxiety. Let’s look at a 4 – Step process that can possibly make us less Anxious. Before getting into the steps, lets look at a portion of scripture from the Bible.

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. –

Philippians 4:6-9

Apostle Paul writes this to the Philippian Church probably around AD 60-62. Philippi was a Roman colony then. He calls “not to be anxious about anything”. But How?

Step 1: In every situation Pray, present your petitions to God with thanksgiving

Prayer is the Antidote for Anxiety. We have to do it in “every” situation, and when we pray for our needs, we need to do it with thanksgiving. Whenever we are anxious, just pray. And when you pray just reflect back on How God was good to you, that brings in positivity into. It gives a feeling “My previous need was met, I am thankful to God”. It brings a feel good factor and helps us approach our new need/problem with a positive mindset. Our all-consuming problem is now with the all-Powerful God.

Step 2: The next step is to Trust God, so that HIS Peace transcends and guards our hearts.

When being anxious, thinking about our moments of success with thanksgiving brings positivity. When this positivity grows as Trust in God. We realize the transcending Peace of God which guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. This aligns our mind in the right state and framework, to think about the problem in hand and the means to go-about it. We reduce the anxious thoughts and focus our minds trusting in God. A peace from God which transcends all understanding guards us.

Step 3: This step is all about “Thinking Good”

As we read in verse 8, “Think” about whatever is true – not that is deceptive & illusion, whatever is noble (honorable, holy) – Not that is frivolous cheap , whatever is right – Not that is wrong/shortcuts, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—anything is excellent or praiseworthy. In a nutshell Let our “Thoughts be Good”. Thinking Good removes negativity, counter productive thoughts are changed to productive thoughts and we start to Think Good, Think about ways to address the problem on hand.

Step 4: It’s all about “Putting into Practice”

The good thoughts we have should be acted upon. When we put them to practice, God of Peace HIMSELF will be with us. Putting to practice, moves us in the right direction. We get to solve the Problem on Hand, We get to meet our needs.

God will be with us and will guide us to the right solution. It may not be the solution that we wanted initially. It would be the right & Just Solution. We have to remember three things about God here.

  1. God Loves us and desires to give the Best to Us. Infact, HE loves us more than we Love ourselves
  2. God is Wiser than us. There is no wisdom greater than HIS.
  3. God is all Powerful. There is no power that’s greater than HIS.

A loving God who is Wiser & all Powerful gives us what we need. There is no reason for us to be Anxious about. All we need to do is to

  1. Pray to HIM, Let God know your need, with Thanks Giving
  2. Trust HIM, Let HIS Peace transcend your heart and mind and bring it to good frame of mind
  3. Think Good, Change your Counter Productive mindset to Productive mindset
  4. Put to Practice, Act on the Good Thoughts you have

Do you trust God enough to replace your anxiety with prayer? Do you consciously choose godly thoughts daily & put them to practice? A loving God, who is Wiser and all Powerful, will take care of you.

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6