Anxiety is the result of a lack of faith in Jesus and his Father. Anxiety is trusting in myself instead of trusting in God. Anxiety is mentally playing out all the possible wrongs no matter how improbable. Anxiety is a matter of the mind more than reality (Psalm 139:23). A sure result of fear caused by faithless thoughts is “an anxious heart weighs a person down.” “What does a person get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? All their days their work is pain and grief; even at night, the mind does not rest. This is meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 2:22-23)
All around me every day I encounter and walk by people with anxious hearts. The Lord instructs me, “a kind word cheers up.” However, what can I do when my heart is filled with anxiety? Paul instructs from the view of cell bars to those who were being persecuted, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)
As strange as it sounds this I have found true. Singing a hymn and a song to the Lord with all sincerity of praise and worship cheers the heart. Praying Biblical verses with believing lips and heart cheers me up. Instead of focusing my thoughts on selfish what-ifs and might-be, I focus my hands and feet on someone else who truly needs the Lord does fill my heart with hope and gladness. Sometimes actions are the kind word that cheers up the anxious people I pass by every day.
