escaping the anxiety trap

Philippians 4:6-8 says...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.  Finally, brothers, 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.  And then verse 19 of chapter 4 says...And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Anxiety has been a trap in my life.  It only takes a small bit of bait for me to be drawn into it.  Once I'm in, I get stuck there and overwhelming anxiety creeps in to every part of my life.  It's a horrible place to be trapped!  But, praise be to God, He made a way out!  The escape route is found in Philippians 4, which has become one of my favorite passages.  I was reading these verses this morning and I realized that they contain a list of things for me to do and they tell me how God will respond.  Go back and read those verses again and then go on to the list.

My choices about anxiety are...
1.  Do not be anxious.  Straightforward and seemingly simple.  I am learning to recognize the bait in the trap for what it is and not fall for it.  Avoiding the trap is the best way to stay out of it!
2.  Pray and give my needs to God.  Nothing is too small or too big to give to Him.  I am a problem solver and I am in the habit of trying to figure things out.  That leads me straight into the trap of anxiety.  I am learning to give everything to God immediately no matter the size of the problem so He can show me how to handle it.
3.  Be grateful.  There is always something for which to be thankful.  Thinking about gratitude takes me to my next choice.
4.  Think about what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.  The longer my brain dwells on an issue, the bigger the problem, or hurt, or frustration.  My thoughts take the bait and hold on tight to anxiety.  It is no mistake that the Bible also tells us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.  I can work myself into a frenzy just by allowing my thoughts to run wild.  

God's response to my good choices...
1.  He gives me peace that I cannot comprehend.  There is no substitute for the peace of God, and there is no other way to receive it but by faith and grace.  
2.  He gives what I need to meet my needs.  He is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent.  He knows far better than I do what is best for me.  He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and He can give infinitely.  He is my Heavenly Father and He wants to take care of my needs even more than my earthly father does.  He is a good, good Father!  

I have good choices to make at any point in the process.  When I see the bait or if I'm stuck in the trap, I can start at #1 do not be anxious.  Move on to #2 pray and give my needs to God.  #3 Be grateful!  And #4 think on the things of God.  The anxiety trap cannot hold me if I do things God's way!