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In Matthew 6:34 (NASB), Jesus said,
“Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Jesus didn’t promise us a trouble free life. He told us to expect troubles, but in these troubles, we can have peace from the Lord, because he watches over us and is with us in them.
He doesn’t leave us to handle them by ourselves. He gives us everything we need to walk through daily life, no matter how many obstacles are in the path.
Speculation
Looking more closely at Matthew 6:34, we can see that much of our anxiety can be rooted in worrying about tomorrow, rather than focusing on dealing with what is right in front of us. You don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Anxiety rooted in the fear of the unknown, worry about what tomorrow may bring, or about what might happen next is speculation.
This is what the Bible says about speculation.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
2 Corinthians 10:3-7 NASB
To destroy speculations and take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ means to put your trust in the Lord and not focus on or trust in things of the world.
God protects us and provides for us from his divine position where he can provide for all of our needs. He knows the end from the beginning and directs things to work for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Trust in God’s Divine Nature
This is how we overcome worry related anxiety; we focus on the divine nature of God and place our complete trust in him for our daily provisions for health, safety, and well-being, despite living in a fallen world full of threats from every side.
In 2 Samuel chapter 22, David described the Lord as his rock, fortress, deliverer, shield, horn of salvation, stronghold, and refuge who saved him from violence.
Our God is all of these things, but we must accept him and his attributes into our lives for them to be of any good to us. I recommend looking up 2 Samuel 22 and writing out the verses that speak to you, then memorizing them. These are good verses to replace thoughts of fear and anxiety during difficult times.
Earlier in Matthew chapter 6, Jesus talks about how God takes care of the sparrow, the flowers, and the fields, which have no ability to care for themselves, but we struggle to believe that he will care for us. We are much more important to God than sparrows, flowers, and fields. We are so precious to him that he gave his life for us.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:6-7 NASB
When you start to feel anxious, recognize that you are worrying about something that has not happened. Pray and give it over to the Lord. This is how we cast our cares upon him, by praying to give him our cares and ask for wisdom.
When anxious thoughts, worrying about tomorrow, come into your mind, refocus your attention on an attribute of God that you can rely on, or a scripture that addresses the thought.
Worry doesn’t fix anything
Not only does worry fail to fix anything, it makes matters worse, because you are miserable while waiting for the thing you fear to happen. I have noticed in my life more often than not, the things I was worry about never happen. When it did happen, I could have better spent my time praying and seeking wisdom on how to handle that event and trust in God for his power and wisdom to move in my life.
Being miserable waiting for something bad to happen that never does occur is a waste of good energy and happiness. Instead, pray and ask the Lord for help, then focus on uplifting and helpful things such as his divine power and love for you.
The Lord is your provider
Look to God to provide for all of your needs. Rest in his care for you. Trust him.
I can’t even begin to list all of the ways that the Lord has provided for me and my family.
We have been through some trying times, but God always provided.
An example is clothing for my children. I have had people show up at my door with bags of clothing, in excellent condition, without me asking or even telling anyone of my need. This has happened more than once. There are many other examples of how I waited on the Lord for his provision and he came through in amazing ways for food, clothing, transportation, and other needs.
I have also gone without things that I thought were needs, but the Lord used those times to help me rely on him more fully and to grow in my walk with him. God wants his children to trust in him and rely on him.
And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 NASB
This is an easy verse to memorize and will help you in many situations. It is amazing how the Lord comes through in times of trouble. One minute things can look very bleak, but the next minute something wonderful can happen like a knock on the door and someone with a bag of excellent clothes.
Always be on the lookout for the blessing that God has for you and you will see many blessings come your way.
Thankfulness
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. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.
Philippians 4:6-9 NASB
Go to God with your needs and give thanks for what you already have. Look for things to be thankful for and thank God throughout the day as you see them.
Sometimes I thank God for hot water, oatmeal, and other seemingly mundane things. I know that not everyone has these things. It is a blessing to turn on the tap and get hot water or to open the cupboard and find a bag of oatmeal and other good things to eat. I thank God for anything that I am experiencing that is good. This has made a big difference in how I view things and how I respond emotionally to my environment and the events that take place in my life.
Sometimes things can get very hard, but thank God that he is with you to carry you through the hard times. Thank him for his generous gift of salvation and his great love for you. Dwell on the riches of his grace and mercy. Think about how vast and incomprehensible he is.
When you are thinking about these things, you aren’t filled with worry, because there is no room for worry in a mind that is filled with thankfulness and blessings.
The Lord has provided a way for us to overcome worry and the anxiety. Once you make a choice to seek the Lord in this and follow his directions, it may take time to break old habits, but don’t give up. Bring yourself back each time you stray from God’s narrow path and soon you will see breakthroughs in this area.
Extinguishing the Spirit of Fear
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