April 9
DEALING WITH ANXIETY
The peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus
Christians have frequently relied upon a sense of peace as evidence of the Holy Spirit's leading. It is common to hear people say, "I just don't have a peace about it." I think that is legitimate. I would be concerned about the person who proceeds when his spirit is disturbed. God doesn't lead through anxiety. We are to cast our anxiety upon Jesus, because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
Still, a lot of money is spent on the temporary "cure" of anxiety. People consume alcohol, take illegal drugs, turn to the refrigerator, have sex, mindlessly repeat mantras, and escape to cabins, boats and motor homes--all to reduce their anxiety. One lady said, "Whenever I feel anxious, I go on a shopping spree!" Prescription drugs are regularly dispensed for the ails brought on by anxiety.
The bartender, drug pushers, occult practitioner, and other peddlers of escapism all have one thing in common: They really don't care about the consumer. They are out to make a profit. Even worse, when the temporary "cure" wears off, we have to return to the same world with the added problem of hangovers and other negative consequences of fake healers.
Internally, we desperately need the peace of God: "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 comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6, 7). The awareness of a troubled spirit should drive us to find the peace of God by turning to Him and assuming our responsibility to use our minds.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for breaking through so many of my old anxieties and setting me free. I ask You to free me from those that remain.
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