Anxiety

Anxiety is a human condition--the worry and fear and sometimes the resultant self-pity have been experienced by everyone. It is the absence of peace. Paul states that anxiety is the enemy of contentment, and contentment is necessary to gaining "access" to Christ's strength and our subsequent confidence in His promise to provide our every need.
How does Paul say we should deal with our anxiety? The beginning defense is a heart of gratitude--not for the situation that brings on the anxiety--but for the relationship we have with Christ--the one who encourages us to be of "good cheer" because He has overcome the world, and because we can do so as well through faith. That relationship can never be severed. He loves us even in our anxiety. So, rejoice, Paul says. The next instruction is to focus on the needs of those around us--to get actively involved in helping others. That focus takes our thoughts off ourselves and redirects them--centers them on others. Their needs become more important than our own. Finally, He says that we need to be communicating with God by praying to Him about our struggles--honestly. Peter uses the words "cast your care on Him because He cares for you." These steps--praise, compassion for others, and prayer--as simple and yet as difficult as they are--always result in one sensing the peace of God. And that peace is beyond human comprehension. The situation that is the source of my anxiety and fear may not have changed at all, but the sense of His presence overcomes those struggles. And it is an everyday struggle--a learned attitude. It is our nature to focus on ourselves--natural. God's peace is a supernatural gift that He promises to those who take their eyes off themselves and rejoice in Him, show compassion to others, and give their anxieties to the One who cares for them--anxiety and all.