Anxiety and It's Antidote

"Be anxious for nothing" Philippians 4:6

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 God’s goodness, power (sovereignty), 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 God’s answer, we thank Him for the same: it is the confidence of the child expecting his Father to be gracious.

"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." (Matthew 6:25,33)

~ Arthur Pink, "Anxiety"

Repeatedly throughout the Bible's longest chapter, Psalm 119, the writer, while acknowledging sorrow, affliction, and persecution, always fixes his eyes on the Word. Always.

Psa 119:23  Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. 
Psa 119:24  Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors. 

Psa 119:50  This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. 
Psa 119:51  The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law. 
Psa 119:52  When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O LORD. 


Psa 119:59  When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; 

Psa 119:67  Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. 

Psa 119:69  The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; 
Psa 119:70  their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law. 

Psa 119:71  It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. 

Psa 119:86  All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me! 

Psa 119:87  They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. 

Psa 119:92  If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 

Psa 119:93  I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life. 

Psa 119:94  I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts. 

Psa 119:95  The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies.