#MeditationMonday – Out of the abundance of a man’s heart, his mouth speaks.

“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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” 

— Philippians 4:6-8 (NKJV)

 I’ve been watching this series – Suits – and one of the main characters, Harvey Specter has been having “Panic/Anxiety Attacks” since his secretary Donna left him to work for another person. You see, Harvey is a top class lawyer, “A Classic Man” who has links all over New York, he’s never lost a case and he essentially has his whole life figured out, but he never anticipated that Donna, who has worked for him for 12 years would one day leave! He’s grown fond of her and he’s quite attached to her, he couldn’t do anything without her. It irritated me at first that he was being so weak and refusing to accept what had happened to him but I soon realised that had I been the one in Harvey’s shoes, I would probably be reacting the same way or much worse. 

As human beings we tend to have this burning desire to be in control all the time, in control of others, of our own lives, our future, our plans, what and where we go each day. We make plans all the time and get anxious when things start to veer off the set plan or fail to happen in the way we want them to. Many ladies are anxious about when they will be married – their “biological clock” is ticking; Men on the other hand are anxious about their jobs and careers; there’s money to be made else nobody (especially females) will take them seriously.

The truth is, in life we never stop being anxious.

When we deal with one anxiety, life hands us another. The lady who was anxious to be married becomes anxious for childbirth, and so the cycle continues. The problem lies in how we channel our anxiety, shall we let our anxiety lead us away from God and into sin or shall we brave our anxieties and face them head on while hoping for the best?

Philippians 4:6 tells us to be anxious for nothing, instead when things cause us to panic, let’s take it to God and make our requests in prayer and supplication so that we may receive His peace. Never underestimate the power of prayer, there is nothing too small to talk to God about, He hears every request and supplication. Prayer is an important tool for attacking our anxieties! Whatever is causing you to lack peace, take it to the Lord in prayer. The peace of God is able to cure whatever anxiety may come your way. We must guard our hearts with this peace, so when bearers of bad news come our way we won’t be easily downcast.

While meditating on these verses today, I urge you to attack your anxieties by thinking only on things which are: true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, of good virtue and praiseworthy – by meditating only on these things, you’ll flush out the negative in you! By doing this, we can all create room for God to deposit His peace in our lives – there is nothing like the peace of the Lord which surpasseth all understanding. When you experience this peace, you’ll truly be amazed at how calm you will be in the midst of any storm.

Prayer: I rebuke every spirit of worry and anxiety in my life. Lord, grant me the grace to think on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, praiseworthy and of good report. As I meditate on these things, Abba please deposit your peace in my heart today that I may be free of my anxieties and remain focused on your kingdom, in Jesus name. (Amen)

Grace & Peace!