180 Degrees: Don’t Worry About Anything

“Fear will find you.”

Math Joke: Why was six afraid of seven? Because seven eight nine.

Worry and fear are more prevalent now than they have ever been. We have access to more. We know more. We see more. Our minds intake at a far greater pace than ever before.

I’ve personally dealt with worrisome and anxious thoughts. They’re not good. First, they make it hard to focus on anything else. Second, they draw our focus away from God. Worry, anxiety, and fear have been part of human nature since the beginning. What did Adam and Eve do immediately after they sinned? They hid in fear.

It’s tempting to think we can never overcome these thought patterns. But look at the Bible. Look at Gideon, look at David, look at Peter, and you’ll see that fear can be beaten. Gideon was hiding in a well when an angel found him, David fought and killed Goliath as a teenager, and Peter dared to walk on water.

Human nature believes we cannot overcome our worrisome world, but it’s time we shift our mindset…

180 Degrees

While reading C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity last week, a quote attributed to Samuel Johnson stuck out. He says, “People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed.”

Today I’m taking that message to heart. Rather than instructing others on how Jesus helps overcome fear, let me remind you of His promises. The heart of Jesus’ message can be found in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. I know there are many other passages I could use, but I don’t think referencing all 365 verses containing the phrase “Fear Not” is a productive way to communicate my point.

Instead, I’ll use four verses from Philippians.

Philippians 4:6

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.

Worry causes us to lose focus on what’s actually important. Rather than focusing on what needs to get done, my mind would rather worry about what will happen if it doesn’t get done. Major waste of time.

By shifting my mindset 180º, I can instead turn my worries into prayer. “Oh no, what if I don’t finish my school work?” becomes “God, please help me finish my school work.” I’ve also learned the importance of thanking God for what He has already done. “Thank You for helping me through school every day this month.”

Let’s try rephrasing the “What-ifs” to the “What-is”. God is with us, God is caring, God is for us, and God is love. God is not “if” anything.

Philippians 4:7

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Did you catch the promise? As I memorized this passage for a Bible challenge at youth, this verse caught my eye. God’s peace is at our fingertips. You don’t have to barter or pay for it, but you must pray for it. Then you will experience God’s peace and protection.

I’ve heard people say, “I was so worried or scared or anxious that I didn’t think to pray.” The same thoughts have crossed my mind, and they are utter garbage. If we don’t turn to God first, the devil will only perpetuate our anxieties.

If we don’t turn to God when we are in need, we’re turning from Him. This is not the False Dichotomy Fallacy, this is the truth. To reference Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:30 (NKJV), “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.” Take your pick.

Philippians 4:8

 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 

Anxious and fearful thoughts arise when we fix our minds on the wrong things. If I dwell on what might happen, or if I fixate on what I cannot control, these thoughts pop up.

This verse also applies to our thoughts and words, whether at school, with friends or family, or by ourselves. We are to fix our thoughts on topics that glorify God. Sadly, today’s culture has ignored this. Today’s version of “funny” or “cool” goes in direct opposition to this verse.

When we fix our thoughts on edifying topics, we bring glory to God and keep our minds from worrying.

Philippians 4:9

Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me [Paul] – everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Again we see a “then”. To unlock the promise behind it, we must put into practice what Paul said. We must take our worries and fears to God, pray with Him, and trust His plan. Otherwise, we’re trusting ourselves more than Him. When we turn to God, He gives us peace.

Notice Paul doesn’t say, “God’s peace will be with you.” He deliberately says, “The God of peace will be with you.” There is a difference.

Here are four steps towards triumphing over fear, compiled in an easy-to-remember acronym.

Live by Faith.

Scripture tells us that we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). We see a tiny piece of what’s happening in the world, while God sees the entire picture. When worrisome thoughts pop up, remind yourself that God is in control.

Expel fear.

Scripture also says perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). When you’re afraid, surrender those fears to God. Ask Him for strength, and thank Him that He will replace your fears with something much better.

Take Action.

You can’t read the Bible and ignore its instructions (James 1:22). The Bible tells us how to fight worry and anxiety, and we do so by turning to God and asking Him for peace and courage. Not by worrying more.

Remember God’s provision.

When I’m worried, I remind myself that God works everything for the ultimate good, every single time (Romans 8:28). When I fear I won’t get something done, I’m reminded that I always have. When I’m worried or afraid, I remind myself that God has always helped me. God is there for you, 24/7/365 + Leap Day.

God is bigger than our fears. To quote VeggieTales, “God is bigger than the boogieman.” Our fears do not define us. There’s no such thing as a “fearful” Christian because the only one we should fear is God Himself. And no, I’m not saying we should be afraid of God. Worry and righteous fear are very different. We should fear the awesome power that God wields. The power to transform lives, families, cities, and nations. Will you submit your fears to that power, and accept His peace?

I’ll finish with a quote by former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who led his country through some of the most frightening years in world history during the Great Depression and Second World War. This is what he had to say about worry and fear…

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.”