Our Problem with Rejoicing
Anxiety

Scripture Reading: Psalm 37:1-7

Key Verse: Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Yes, we have a problem. It is called “anxiety.” It has several “cousins:” stress, discouragement, fear, disappointments. These “evil relatives” all gang up on us to keep us from rejoicing in the Lord always! The evil one lurks around the corner, hoping to rob us of our joy! He does not want us happy in our walk with God. Happy Christ followers are strong and confident and are tremendous witnesses to a lost world! The devil doesn’t want any of this to exist because it defeats his cause and goal to destroy God’s kingdom.

Webster defines “anxiety” with words like: troubled, uneasy, and concerned. Why would a child of God have troubled, uneasy thoughts? Why would concern consume us? Is the Bible true? Is God faithful as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:13? Will God limit temptations to what we can handle? If so, why be uneasy? Is it true that God’s grace will be sufficient for us, no matter what we face, as the Bible teaches in 2 Corinthians 12:9? Do you believe God is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to His power in us? Can you trust, with the Apostle Paul, that God works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose (Philippians 2:13)? And can you believe that Paul was right, we can do all things through Him who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13)? Finally, will God truly meet all your needs according to His glorious riches, as the Bible says in Philippians 4:19? Christ follower, be done with anxiety. There is no need!

Father, forgive me when I fail to live out my trust in you! I know you are good to your word and I have no worries. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.