Anxiety and you.

"Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]".
Philippians 4:6‭-‬7 AMP

   The Scripture passage above is one out of the many that God used to encouraged us not to be anxious. But most of the time we are caught up in it.

Anxiety is unsettled, unstable state of mind that comes with complexes of problems. It is that feeling of unrest and uneasiness. Yes some things that naturally provoke anxiety happens to us, but we shouldn't permit it.

Here are few reasons you get anxious and how to what to do instead 

1. Uncertainty/fear of the unknown; Things are going really smooth for you. Everything is rosy. Lines are falling in proper places for you and you're literally on top of your game. But at the back of your mind, you're thinking.... "Will this last long?" All the 'what if' questions keep popping into your thoughts. You can't even enjoy your successes as you should because you're thinking they won't last! Sis/Bro! Enjoy what God has blessed you with at the moment. Be occupied with the joy of the moment.

"Also, every man to whom God has given riches"Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]". and possessions, He has also given the power and ability to enjoy them and to receive [this as] his [allotted] portion and to rejoice in his labor--this is the gift of God [to him]. For he will not often consider the [troubled] days of his life, because God keeps him occupied and focused on the joy of his heart [and the tranquility of God indwells him]"
ECC.5:19‭-‬20 AMP

On the other hand, if things are not going the way we want it. It's almost fine but not that fine. Our response naturally is worry, anxiety and all of it's complexities.  You really want things to be better, but it won't happen by worrying and panicking (matt. 6:27).

It's not easy not to worry at some point, but you need to snap out of it before anxiety brings the whole party into your space. Imagine partying with unrest, fear, sleeplessness, lack of concentration, unproductiveness, mental and physical illnesses. I bet you don't want to entertain such party.

Not even a glimpse of the next minutes can be caught by being anxious, but we have the All- knowing God.  He is not ignorant about everything that happens, is happening, will happen to us at every point, time and place. He wants rest and peace of mind for us. He wants us to focus and live life one day at a time.

2. Mismanaged priorities; When you can't place your priorities right, you really start laying so much emphasis on things and persons that don't matter in your life. "Will they like me", "what would they say about my pictures ". Oh my voice", I don't think I'm good enough for him/her" what are they saying about me". What does it matter anyway?  Giving precious attention (that would have being used towards better things) to wrong impression and persons will actually bring you into anxiety, depression which in the long run might lead to suicide (Many cases of suicide have being traced down to anxiety caused depression). It is important for you to know that people's opinions doesn't matter. Where and what they think you be should not carry enough weight to pull you down. What really matters is God's promises for you, your own path(profession,ministry and so on),the right people He has placed in your life (these ones won't talk you down. They will always support you), and focusing on how to get better.
If you set your priorities right, you will celebrate more successes and have less reasons to be anxious.

3. Unrighteousness; This is one reason I believe so many people are anxious and restless these days. Your ways are not right with God and man, so your conscience is really dealing with you. You keep having flashbacks of those evil act you engaged in in the past and it's like someone or God is coming at that moment to make you pay dearly for it. That's not a feature of a righteous and peaceful soul.
When you live a righteous and transparent life, you won't be afraid that someone or God will descend on you for evil doings. "The wicked flee when no one pursues them, But the righteous are as bold as a lion" Proverbs 28:1 AMP.

As long as everything is right between you and God, and you and people around you, you would be at peace.
I need to point out that you can't continue to live an unpleasant life and expect pleasantries of any form in return. Those unpleasantness will come back to hunt you. And you won't be ready, trust me! It doesn't add up to pray anxiety/panic away when your lifestyle is creating it. A life that emits sin, displeasure, chaos and confusion cannot have peace of mind. Therefore, you must turn away from everything that displeases God and He will give you peace!

"I will hear and do [with expectant hope] what God the Lord will say, For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones-- But let them not turn again to folly"
Psalm 85:8

4. Your imaginations and thoughts; The mind is like a power house where all you say and do emits from. What you discuss with yourself inside of you is what shows on the outside. Your mind can either be a battleground or playground. You make your mind a battle ground by worrying about things you can't proffer the least solutions to, the result would manifest in the form of fear, confusion, bad health, passivity and lowliness and so on. This is like adding salt to injury. (You had a problem, you resort to anxiety and worry....then the ugly party came to join in). On the other hand, making your mind a playground, filled with beautiful, bright and colorful thoughts of God's promises and goodness to you, you will always be peaceful and at your best.  That's a colorful and fun filled party.
Please next time you have a cause to worry, instead of a battleground, just make your mind a beautiful playground . If you feel the battleground scenario is creeping in, gracefully recapture the playground.... Amen!

5. Faith it:  Hoping against hope like Abraham did, seeing beyond your present situation and peacefully trusting God.

 "Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality--faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]" Hebrews 11:1 AMP

It is really crucial that you leave everything at God's feet and relax, if you want to live a panic/anxiety free life (even if your natural response should be anxiety). If it was fruitful to panic, God wouldn't have asked us not to. It is unfruitful.....and He saved us that stress of being busy in unfruitfulfulness by granting us peace that surpasses all understanding "Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]".

God is really working out His plans for you. You shouldn't be ungrateful by being anxious and worrying as if He is doing nothing. If He has brought you this far (your 'anxietic worry' added nothing this far), He will take you further than you could ever imagine. It's not easy not to be anxious, but it doesn't get better by being anxious too. Indulge yourself in creating a peaceful, beautiful and happy mindset to everything that would make you feel otherwise by totally trusting God. 

So, faith it till you make it ( I won't ask you to fake anything please ). If you fake it, you're shooting up your anxiety level, the fear of people getting to know about your fake life will create constant anxiousness. Plus how to keep up the fake life will shoot it up further. And deep down you are not even happy, because it's all fake. And remember, God blesses where/what we are, and not where/what we pretend to be!

    Whatever it looks and feels like, however it appear now, I want you to know that God has good plans for you in every areas and phases of your life, and you are not permitted to be anxious. Pray and have faith in God for the best. 

I know I'm late but.... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! . Have a wonderful 2018. And remember 'be anxious for nothing', stay happy and peaceful always✌✌.