Every anxiety verse in the Bible points to the same 2-word solution. Which means praying about your anxiety might be making it worse. Here’s why… Matthew 6, Psalm 94, Philippians 4, 1 Peter 5…
Look at every major passage on anxiety. They all point to the same two-part solution.
Not “try harder to stop worrying.: Something way simpler. Two words: Prayer and thanksgiving.
But not in the way most people think. Philippians 4:6-7 says it plainly: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God.” Prayer alone isn’t the full prescription. It’s prayer & gratitude. Together. Here’s why this works (and it’s not just spiritual): Science has proven that our brain literally cannot be grateful and anxious at the same time. They activate different neural pathways. And so gratitude is anxiety’s off switch.
Prayer shifts your focus from the problem to the Problem-Solver. Gratitude reminds you what God ha already done which strengthen your faith for what He’s about to do.
1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
Notice it says CAST-not carry, not manage, not cope with. You throw it. You release it. You hand over.
And here’s the promise when you combine prayer with thanksgiving: “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:7)
Peace doesn’t come from figuring it out. It comes from giving it over.
So the next time anxiety hits – especially about money, work, or the future:
- Pray it out (get if off your chest and onto His)
- Thank Him for the things He’s already done
Watch what happens to that tight feeling in your chest.
— Bob Lotich seedtime.com