Finally...

As we finish our series on freeing ourselves from the prison of worry and anxiety, we see this word: “finally”. 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. -Philippians 4:8

We’ve humbled ourselves and admitted where the struggle is real with worry and anxiety. We’ve taken the things that keep us up at night and cast those into the hands of Jesus. We are striving desperately to leave them with God and trust that He can handle the situations better than we can. We’ve made our “already” list and are doing our best to focus on the things God has provided rather than the things we are waiting on. Now what?

Finally…we must think about what we think about. In his book Anxious for Nothing, Max Lucado shares that we must be the air traffic controller of our mental airport. We occupy the control tower and can direct the mental traffic of our world. Thoughts circle above, coming and going, We choose which planes land. How do we make sure the right planes land? We must think about what we think about. 

Think about what you think about:

1. Acknowledge negative thinking

Psalm 139: 23-24 declares, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” Ask God to help you identify the ways you are thinking negatively or in a critical spirit. God can speak through others, too.  Ask those closest to you to help you identify the ways you think negativity. They would be more than glad to help out!

2. Identify positive things

Make a list of the encouraging and affirming things. Ask others to help you with that list as well.

3. Think on the positive

If you can worry you can meditate! Worry is thinking on something over and over and over. The problem is, you’re thinking on the wrong thing. Find the encouraging thing and think on it over and over and over.

4. Express verbal appreciation for the positive

Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” Speak life into your worry and anxiety.

Finally, think about what you think about. And, “practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9).

Ryan Smallwood