Anxiety

by Arthur W. Pink

"In nothing be anxious." (Phil. 4:6, R.V.)

WORRYING is as definitely forbidden as theft. This needs to be carefully pondered and definitely
realized by us, so that we do not excuse it as an innocent "infirmity." The more we are convicted of the
sinfulness of anxiety, the sooner are we likely to perceive that it is most dishonoring to God, and "strive
against" it. (Heb. 12:4) But how are we to "strive against" it? First, by begging the Holy Spirit to grant us a
deeper conviction of its enormity. Second, by making it a subject of special and earnest prayer, that we may
be delivered from this evil. Third, by watching its beginning, and as soon as we are conscious of harassment
of mind, as soon as we detect the unbelieving thought, lift up our heart to God and ask Him for deliverance
from it. The best antidote for anxiety is frequent meditation upon Gods goodness, power and sufficiency.
When the saint can confidently realize "The Lord is My Shepherd," he must draw the conclusion, "I shall not
want!" Immediately following our exhortation is, "but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God." Nothing is too big and nothing is too little to
spread before and cast upon the Lord. The "with thanksgiving" is most important, yet it is the point at which
we most fail. It means that before we receive Gods answer, we thank Him for the same: it is the confidence
of the child expecting his Father to be gracious. --A. W. Pink

"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought (anxious concern) for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye
shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than
raiment?" "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added
unto you." (Matt. 6:25,33)