ANXIETY: THE CURE
I’m a church girl, meaning for 99% of my life I have been in church every Sunday (even on some weekdays). It wasn’t until this past Sunday that I heard the cure for anxiety.
Now, I’ve been reading my word for YEARS. Last year’s shut down brought on by the pandemic really gave me time to dive in and find my passion for it. To this day, each time I read it on my own accord, I come across something that helps me in my day to day life. Have you ever experienced that? I was in church on Sunday and my cousin brought the scripture after worship. I read it all the time. He read Philippians 4:6-7, and it says
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I’ve been telling this story all week. if you’ve heard it already, this is the more detailed version so read it all!
He starts by giving us this analogy, and that’s kind of his thing. He breaks it down so beautifully. “You know how your grandma has this dish that no one can truly imitate because she can’t give you an exact recipe? You ask her, ‘Grandma what’d you put in this?’ and she tells you, ‘Baby I don’t know just taste it!” He motions with his finger like he just dipped it in something and tastes it. “She can’t tell you what she put in it because she just adds ingredients as she goes and gauges how much more she should add by just tasting it.” I’m following at this point. He says, “Well this right here is the recipe for curing anxiety.”
Step 1: Prayer
When we pray we’re typically expressing ourselves, engaging in communication with who we worship. In my case, I worship God, so that’s who I’m speaking to through Jesus Christ. I tell Him my frustrations, what I’m grateful for, ask for forgiveness. Whatever I want, need or feel I open my mouth and talk to Him about it. He already knows, but prayer let’s Him know the love is real.
Step 2: Supplication
If you look it up, you might see that supplication is similar to prayer, but it’s a different kind. Supplication is pleading, formally expressing emotion on a deep, serious level. To me, it means asking God again. It was divine timing that we read this scripture. Recently, I came across this post (I still cannot remember where I saw it) that said, “Ask God again.” In the back of my mind, I’m thinking about two very specific things I am currently asking God for. I know they are good things and they will be a blessing I know only came from God. Anyway, I shook my head and thought, “God already heard me so I won’t bother Him again about it.” Let’s be clear, God never gets tired of hearing from you. That was my heart working against me, emotion making me feel like God gets irritated in the same way humans do. Not so. If there is something you need or want from God, this is your sign, Ask Him again.
Step 3: Give thanks
Thank God in advance for being a man of His word. He does not lie so He does not have to repent for not making good on promises. His word is written in stone. God Himself will not undo it. Period pooh.
I felt so good after that Sunday, and it has carried me through this entire week. I know this is something I will never forget. Anxiety does not always show up in the form of panic attacks, but it can appear as worry, doubt that God won’t deliver, fear that He won’t deliver in time. If God is nothing else He is perfect and ALWAYS on time. Keep in mind that He is all powerful, all knowing, and existing in all places at once. You are never alone, and The Holy Spirit is always around for comfort. Jesus said so.
I hope this encouraged you. If it gave you the boost it gave me, comment your thoughts below.
