📖 Estimated Reading Time: 7 Minutes
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV)
Before I ever challenged the church to go on the Philippians 4:8 challenge, God had already invited me on the adventure. For as long as I can remember, I have loved to read prophecy websites, international news headlines, and to read, listen to, and consume a variety of prophetic content. I can remember more than once watching well crafted videos that didn’t draw me closer to Christ, they filled me with anxiety, depression, and fear.
Before we move forward, I want to make sure you understand. I am not advocating for an isolationist mindset. I am not encouraging you to withdraw from society, to run away to a monastery, and to pretend like the world isn’t growing ever closer to the second coming of Jesus. It was not the prayer of Jesus for God to take us out of the world, but that God would “keep us from the evil one” (see John 17:15). Perhaps this analogy will help: It isn’t the boat in the water that is the problem, it is when the water gets in the boat that problems arise.
The Scripture clearly challenges us to examine the things we are thinking about and to eliminate things that don’t pass the test. 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 4:8 ESV – emphasis added) These eight tests of my thought life meant that I needed to get off social media, turn off the news, get off podcasts and prophecy sites, and instead intentionally and regularly abide in Christ and in His Word (see John 15:4-5 and John 8:31-32). As I have, I’ve noticed an undeniable work of God in my life.
Today, I want to consider this question: What should a born-again believer do when they fill things like anxiety, fear, discouragement, or depression? Recently I taught a lesson on Numbers 13 and the twelve spies Moses sent out to scout out the Promised Land. After the Hebrew people witnessed the power, protection, provision, and presence of God in some of the most supernatural ways ever witnessed, they stood on the edge of stepping into the land God had promised to Abraham and his descendants for centuries.
If you are familiar with the historical account, you know how it ends. Ten of the 12 spies returned with a fear filled report that eventually infected, demoralized, and led the entire nation to doubt God’s promise and faithfulness. Side note, this same pattern sadly reoccurs in the minds and hearts of God’s people today. I call it spiritual amnesia and it seems to impact the elect across all generations. We forget! I think one Biblical remedy to the anxiety and fears we face are these two things: Remember God’s promises and His faithfulness.
In a recent devotion, I reminded you of the acronym for FEAR: False Events Appearing Real. If you missed that article, be sure to check it out. If the people of Israel had stopped and remembered God’s promises and His faithfulness, they would have never wondered in the wilderness for 40 years. An entire generation of people failed to step into God’s promises because they forgot that He always keeps His promises and they failed to remember He is always faithful.
Today I want to challenge you to examine your life and to consider the things that fill you with fear or anxiety. Once you’ve had time to contemplate, I hope you’ll do two things. First, look to the Scripture and pray for wisdom from God (see James 1:5) for Biblical promises that deal specifically with the things you are struggling with. Second, make a list of all the times God has been faithful in your life up to this point. Remember all the times God showed up, provided for and met your needs, and did what only He can do. He has never failed to keep His promises before and He has always met your needs in Christ, so why would He fail now?
As we close out this devotion, I pray that the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (see Philippians 4:4-7). Believe that God truly cares for you, come to Him in humility and faith, and cast every anxiety on His capable, faithful shoulders and trust Him to give you the peace your soul longs for.
