Over twenty years ago these thoughts were given to me by Claudia Rowe, a Young life leader, and they have been very helpful to me over the years. They come from the following passages:

Philippians 4:4-10 RVS “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.  Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.”

Philippians 4:4-10 J.B. Phillips Translation “Delight yourselves in the Lord, yes, find your joy in him at all times. Have a reputation for gentleness, and never forget the nearness of your Lord. Don’t worry over anything whatsoever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God, which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus. Here is a last piece of advice. If you believe in goodness and if you value the approval of God, fix your minds on whatever is true and honorable and just and pure and lovely and praiseworthy. Model your conduct on what you heave learned from me, on what I have told you and shown you, and you will find that the God of peace will be with you.”

We are told to give our requests and anxieties to the Lord, with prayer and supplication and with thanksgiving. And then the promise that the Peace of God will keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

See the picture of our heart and mind emptied of our anxieties. Then in verse 8-10 we are told what to fill that void with. If we leave it empty it is too easy for the anxious thoughts to return. We are to think about all that is true, and just and pure and lovely. When the anxious thoughts start to return quickly think of what is “true” in that situation. There is always a true fact to state that is positive and will give us something to think about in that situation.

I always think of the lady who always had something positive to say about everyone. Someone said to her, “I think you could find something positive to say about the devil”. She thought a minute and then said, “Well, he is persistent”.

So with us we can usually think of some true positive thing to think about in any anxious situation. When we do this God will put a “guard” around our hearts and minds to help the thoughts and anxieties from returning. But we must do our part.