Theme: ANXIETY
Text: “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” – Philippians 4:6 Revised Standard Version.
Comment: In the text under reference, Apostle Paul placed the spotlight on things that will help us to properly handle anxiety and worries. It is fitting that St. Paul begins this exhortation with a word about anxiety. Webster defines anxiety as “a state of being uneasy, apprehensive, or worried about what may happen; misgiving”.
Nevertheless, people worry about what they have and what they don’t have, where they are and where they would like to be, what they have done and what they wish they had not done. Anxiety over such issues can cause people to do many negative things. It causes some people to seek escape from reality through alcohol, drugs, and, in some cases, suicide. Anxiety causes other people to look for ways to manipulate their circumstances in an effort to bring about some measure of relief. Anxiety leads some people to complain, criticize, find faults, and point fingers. .” The Scriptures enjoin worshippers of God not to be “afraid of sudden fear, … For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken”. (Proverbs 3:25, 26) Prayer is a solemn request or petition we make to God. It is a great defence against anxiety and worry. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.” – Isaiah 26:3, 4.