“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 4:6-7).

Followers of Jesus Christ are commanded not to be anxious about anything.  Anything!  That includes the Coronavirus, the upcoming election, the social unrest, the financial pressures, and family issues threatening your wellbeing right now.  We are commanded to trust that our Heavenly Father will bring about what is best in the end…and not be anxious.

Admittedly, that’s easier said than done.  If you are a worrier by nature, I’d like to challenge you to do something dramatically different this week.  This challenge is based on the two verses of Scripture that follow the command in Philippians not to be anxious about anything.

Philippians 4:8-9 reads, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” 

Here’s the challenge: During this coming week, read one minute of Scripture for every minute you spend watching television news.  If you spend one hour watching cable news at night, spend one hour with the television off, reading the Bible.  This simple practice will go a long way toward calming your nerves and bringing you a “peace that passes understanding.”

Many of us catch a bad case of hyper-anxiety from watching cable news hours on end.  Its negativity is contagious.  It’s no secret that news commentators increase ratings by fear-mongering.  “Seven died today of the virus.”  They don’t tell you that six were over 90 years old, in Hospice Care dying of cancer, and eager to go home.  Or you hear “COVID is spiking in Florida.  Epidemiologists warn it could happen in Kentucky!”  What can I do about that…except worry!

Last week I watched a TV weatherman who interjected, “Did you know Grass Pollen in Kentucky is at a danger level?”  Then he said, “It’s going to be 91 degrees tomorrow, but the humidity is so high it’s going to feel like 96!  Use caution.”  “The National Hurricane Service predicts 2020 will be the worst year ever for tropical storms.” Oh my!

You ingest enough of that negativity, and you come away anxious, wringing your hands.  Afraid to go out of the house.  Afraid to go to church.  Afraid to hug your grandchildren.  Afraid to shake hands.  Afraid to walk the dog without wearing a facemask and goggles.  Afraid to kiss your mate good night.  Good night!

Let me say upfront, I believe the Coronavirus is real.  It’s dangerous, and it’s contagious.  Although I think it’s been overstated and exploited for political purposes, we are wise and compassionate to take reasonable precautions.  And I admit I am deeply concerned about our country and the potential riots that could further damage our city.  These are troubling times.  However, it is not God’s will for us to be so anxious that we wrap ourselves in bubble-wrap and cower in fear every day.

The Bible says Christ came to “free those who all their lives are held in bondage by their fear of death” (Hebrews 2:15).  Christians are not supposed to be terrified of dying.  Paul said, “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.”  Christians don’t have a death wish, but we do have an exit strategy that helps eliminate fear.

In fact, Christians are not supposed to be anxious about anything because we trust our Heavenly Father to take care of everything.  So, if you’re ground down with anxiety, make a vow that for every minute you spend watching the news, you will spend one minute reading the Scripture because it’s true, noble, right, pure, excellent, and praiseworthy.  The Scripture reprograms your mind.  You’ll discover the truth of Romans 10:17 (KJV): “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”

King David faced all kinds of anxious moments in his life.  As a shepherd boy, he fought off a lion and a bear.  As a teenager, he went toe to toe with a massive giant.  As a young man, he hid in caves from King Saul’s relentless soldiers who were determined to kill him.  As a military General, David marched into combat against ferocious armies.  No wonder many of the Psalms contain encouraging words about overcoming fear.

Below are seven Psalms that I find comforting and reassuring in anxious times.  Maybe it will help you to write these Psalms down and repeat one each day.  Over time, you will have them memorized, and you can say with David, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).

Psalm 23:4 (ESV): “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”

Psalm 27:1: “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” 

Psalm 34:4: “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” 

Psalm 46:1-2: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,….”

Psalm 56:4: “When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid…”

Psalm 112:7-8: They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end, they will look in triumph on their foes.

Psalm 118:6: “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?”

We have a banner that hangs in our family room that reads, “Fear not tomorrow — God is already there.”  Amen!  …and Amen!

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