NRABV*: Fourteen- Don’t Be Anxious
Anxiety is real and can have a myriad of causes; if you struggle with it, please understand that you are not alone. The Greek word for anxious in Philippians 4:6 literally means to “have cares”; it has the connotation of letting your thoughts be overly focused on one thing. A lot of the advice in our world regarding anxiety is unhelpful, but Scripture offers much wisdom in how a healthy view of God can help us alleviate our own anxieties and worries. Rather than turning our gaze inward, our focus should be on God. In Matthew 6 (the Sermon on the Mount), Jesus teaches us a few lessons:
1) Anxiousness can come from a lack of faith—while our salvation is secured by trusting Jesus, our practical unbelief can contribute to worry.
2) Anxiousness can come from a confused priority—Jesus reminds us that all the things we need to exist will be given to us.
3) Anxiousness can come from a lack of focus—If you are constantly thinking about tomorrow, you will fail to live today as God intends you to….for His glory.