Anxious about NOTHING? Day 2

I am an anxious person.  It just happens to be that way.  I work at keeping it to a minimum.  Exercise and eating well definitely help.  Breathwork helps.  Medication helps.  And prayer helps more than I realize.  

I’ve spend time studying the scriptures and there are many passages which really cause me pause.  There are some perplexing.  There are some convicting.  There are some comforting and full of love.  And there are some which I cannot believe are in there.  This is one of those (From Philippians):

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Why is this particular one cause me so much trouble?  Because it says to worry about nothing.  In my mind, I can only think…NOTHING?  I worry about everything.  What in the world?  

I appreciate the message of it.  I would love to live it out.  And please don’t tell me it’s because I don’t pray enough or trust enough or believe enough.  So what is the key?  I will share my insight:  

The issue with taking one verse is we don’t always consider the whole context.  This is a warning I often give.  And this particular text needs more.  And for me, it is found in the 4 words right before this verse.  And these 4 words clarify it all for me… The Lord is near.

That’s right – the key for being anxious about nothing is the fact that the Lord is near.  He is with us.  We are not alone.  We do not face the challenges alone.  We do not hurt alone or fear alone or deal with difficulty alone.  We do not live this life alone – even when we feel so very alone.  The Lord is near.  

Will I still be anxious? – Guaranteed.  But I am not anxious alone either.  I don’t have to worry simply because the Lord is near.  But if I do worry, he’s still near.  And he still loves me.  And he is with you too.  And yes, he loves you too!  

So just remember – the Lord is near.  May you feel his presence even stronger than before – beginning today.  Blessings my friends!