We all have anxiety now and then, but during the pandemic, your anxiety may be increasing by the day. You may wonder what tomorrow will bring. You question the safety of your family. And you wonder how your finances will fare during this downturn of the economy. This is completely normal. However, we have to be careful not to become anxious and worried.

Anxiety is prompted by that feeling of worry or uneasiness related to living with an uncertain outcome. It often includes fear of the future. When you are gripped with anxiety, you overestimate the danger in situations. This leads you to become fearful and avoid people, places and /or things. And right now, we are faced with much uncertainty and events out of our control.

Yet, God tells us not to be anxious, even though He knows our human tendency runs opposite. But here is the good news. He would not tell us to do something without providing a way to do it. He doesn’t leave us alone, expecting us to figure out how to be less anxious on our own. Rather, in Philippians 4:6-8, He provides a prescription as to how to be anxious about nothing.

• Talk to God about everything (pray). No matter what the problem, we are told to take it to prayer and cast all our burdens on the Lord. Unlike people, God does not become overburdened and can handle all your cares. He never tires of listening to you. And He doesn’t think your concerns are silly or unimportant.
• Make your requests know (supplication). We have to tell God what it is we need. James 4:2 says we don’t have because we don’t ask. Matthew 21:22 says, “And whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” So be bold and tell Him your specific requests.
• Thank Him for what He’s already done. Does this mean we thank God for the horrible situation we may be facing? No. It means we thank Him because He’s already done what’s necessary to help us. He died on the cross and rose again. He will supply all your needs (Phil 4:19), not just some. Give thanks because it’s already done!
• Believe God can help you. Notice the scripture says to ask and BELIEVE. You can’t ask and then wonder or doubt. You must trust God to be true to His Word. Worry is based in doubt. The opposite of doubt is trust. Trust him and believe!
• Meditate on the positive and true things of God. Verse 8 tells us what kinds of things to meditate upon. What are the true things? The things God has promised us. When we do this, the promise is we will have the peace of God and our hearts and minds will be guarded.

Remember, God wants to hear our concerns. He wants to reassure us that He loves us. No matter what the anxious circumstance, tell God, fill the prescription and find His peace. Rest in Him!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God; and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.