Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser
The insidious grip of worry, a constant companion to many in our fast-paced world, often feels inescapable. It whispers doubts, amplifies fears, and steals the joy from our present moments. Yet, the biblical directive found in Philippians 4:6-7 offers a powerful counter-narrative. It’s not a suggestion, but a command, a call to actively dismantle the structures of anxiety within our lives. This isn’t a denial of life’s inevitable challenges, but a radical shift in our response to them.
God never intended for you to live in fear. You can choose to reject worry and embrace peace. Through prayer, thanksgiving, and trust in God’s Word, you can rise above anxiety and live with unshakable faith. This article delves into the practical application of these principles, showing how we can silence the relentless chatter of fear and cultivate a life where worry no longer holds dominion. Be blessed as you read!
The Bible says ‘be anxious for nothing.’ That means don’t worry about anything. Don’t accept worry in your life. Reject worry in your life. 6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
There’s assurance of supernatural peace. Cast your worries onto the Lord and experience supernatural peace. You should take your worries seriously and say, “I will not tolerate worry in my life. I will trust the Lord and let it go.” God has given you free will and sovereignty over your thoughts, so the Lord will not force you to change what you think.
It’s ultimately your choice what you focus on, so let me share this thought: If you have a problem, the Lord does not share that problem with you. Conversely, if the Lord does not have your problem, then it is yours to deal with. “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:5-7).
He’s not into care sharing. He’s not going to take half of the care, and you take the remaining half. It’s either you cast the whole of your care or none of your care. If you’re currently worrying, remember that the Lord isn’t holding onto your problem; he can’t do anything with it because He’s given you authority on earth and He’s not going to violate your free will. So, what do you need to do? You need to forcefully cast your worries onto the Lord and leave them there. The devil will likely try to remind you of your worries. If he does, you should tell him that if he wants to discuss that problem, he needs to talk to God, because God is the one who has taken it away from you. The last time the devil was in the throne room, things didn’t go well for him, and he’s not eager to return. He will be quick to flee from you. Just remind the devil that you don’t own that problem anymore – it’s now God’s to handle.
" Worry stems from fear, so cast your cares on the Lord to create space to hear from the Holy Spirit regarding your situation. "
Fear involves torment, and that’s the opposite of faith. Worry stems from fear, and fear always leads to torment, as stated in 1 John 4:18. “There’s no fear in love but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment, but he who fears has not been made perfect in the love of God”. When you are focusing on your problem, you’re not focusing on God’s love for you. You can’t focus on God’s love for you and focus on your problem at the same time, because focusing on God’s love will cast out fear. “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things”? (Romans 8:32).
Worry stems from fear, so when you cast your cares and experience supernatural peace, you create space to hear from the Holy Spirit regarding your situation. There are certain actions you may need to take to address your problem. It’s not like you just cast it over on God and he takes care of everything. Often, when you are experiencing fear and worry, it can be difficult to hear the guidance you need. In those moments, you may not be open to receiving Divine wisdom or allowing God to lead you. However, once you shift into a state of faith or peace, that’s when the Holy Spirit can show you how to address your problems.
Perhaps you are concerned about your current situation. If you cast your worries onto the Lord, you may find clarity in His guidance. I recall a time when the Lord instructed me to leave my job and dedicate more time to the ministry He had given me. When I informed my family that I had submitted my resignation, they weren’t particularly enthusiastic about my decision to pursue full-time ministry. Around the same time, I realised that I had lost about $10,000 due to a failed business venture. I began to worry about my financial situation and even questioned whether I had truly heard the Lord correctly. It felt like a mistake, and I started to believe that it was not the right time to leave my job.
I was really worried about my situation and made the decision to reduce my giving to ensure I could take care of myself. I thought about cutting back on the resources that the ministry sends overseas, including gospel materials, but I realised that wasn’t the right choice. One day, I felt the Lord speak to me: “I can’t provide for you if you’re worried. Cast your cares onto me. You need to give in order to receive in multiples” (see Luke 6:38). So, I decided not to cut back on my giving. Instead, I committed to increasing it and to casting all my burdens on Him. As I did this, I experienced a supernatural peace. Not only that, but my finances took a different turn; God blessed me with an extraordinary increase. He met all my needs every single time.
I want to assure you that when you cast your worries upon the Lord, you open yourself to His true wisdom and direction. Take your concerns to the Lord in prayer, and a supernatural peace will come over you. You will feel this peace because you entrusted your worries to Him. We need to transform our problems into prayers and bring them to the Lord.
