How To Be Free From Anxiety

Set Your Mind on the Spirit and Be Free From Anxiety

Receiving and Giving Away Heaven’s Reality

Anxiety can begin to govern our thoughts when our attention is fixed on circumstances rather than on God. Romans 8 and Philippians 4 show us how to set our minds on the Spirit, receive God’s life and peace, and give the reality of his presence to others.

How to Set Your Mind on the Spirit

Later today, I read a few chapters from Romans. I especially felt the first few verses of Romans 8 building me up and strengthening me.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

Romans 8:1-7 (NIV)

The Mind Governed by the Spirit Is Life and Peace

Notice that it says the mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. If I set my mind on the Spirit, I should have life and peace. I want to receive God’s life and peace so that I can give it to others.

Free From Anxiety by Walking in the Spirit

Apply Philippians 4 When Anxiety Fills Your Thoughts

Later today, I started thinking about this passage in Philippians 4. Can you see the connection between Philippians 4 and Romans 8? When we are anxious, we have our minds governed by the flesh, which is death. God’s peace is fully available to us, because Jesus died to remove anything that would come between us and the Father.

We have full access to the Father, full access to heaven. We must approach the Father and set our minds on heavenly things. This is being governed by the Spirit and setting our minds on the Spirit, rather than allowing the flesh to govern us by letting anxiety fill our thoughts. Of course, there are different aspects of setting our minds on the Spirit rather than the flesh. Walking in God’s peace is one aspect.

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 every situation, 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 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.

Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV)

Notice what Philippians say. Do these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Memorizing these verses in Philippians is a great idea. We should always be asking ourselves: “Am I putting Paul’s instructions in Philippians into practice? Is my mind set on the Spirit right now?”

Look at God Instead of the Situation

I like to define faith as “Seeing God and being more impressed with him than with anything else.” If you believe, nothing will be impossible for you. If you see God because your mind is set on the Spirit and you are rejoicing in the Lord, you will receive God’s peace, which passes all understanding. And it is with God’s peace that we exercise dominion in life.

Minister to Others From God’s Peace

Do you want to grow in your capacity to give people what’s in heaven? When you’re ministering to somebody with cancer or some awful condition, is your mind set on the flesh or on the Spirit? Are you worried about what might happen as you pray, or are you looking at God? Is the peace of God guarding your heart and mind? Are you anxious?

If so, it can hinder your ability to give that which is in God’s presence to the person in front of you. Do what Paul says to do in Philippians. Set your mind on the Spirit.

Recognize and Overcome Anxiety Triggers

Most of us have situations that are like “anxiety triggers” for us. Being anxious about a situation hinders us from releasing the Holy Spirit and God’s goodness into that situation. As you recognize those situations, apply Paul’s instructions in Philippians 4. God wants you to be free from anxiety in your heart so you can minister to others in similar situations.

Learning to Refuse Anxiety After Praying for Healing

Yesterday I prayed for a woman in need of healing over a Facebook call. She didn’t feel any immediate difference. What the Bible tells us to do is to stand firm, and having done everything, to stand.

I’ve prayed for others who have been healed over the phone or on Facebook, and for others who didn’t feel anything immediately but were pain-free by the end of the day. Yet I found myself worrying about her yesterday. I saw that I needed to apply Paul’s instructions to rejoice, pray with thanksgiving, set my mind on heavenly things, and refuse anxiety.

Growing in a Life Governed by God’s Peace

I’m growing in walking in God’s peace, and as I do, I’m growing in my capacity to release God’s goodness and power into situations around me. I’m growing in learning to walk continually in the Spirit.

God has already done so much in me! The Holy Spirit is working in me to bring me to the place where I won’t have any more “anxiety triggers,” but his peace will reign in every nook and cranny of my mind and soul.

By the way, Mike was talking about speaking in tongues right before he discussed releasing God’s presence. Speaking in tongues is a great way to choose to focus on what the Holy Spirit is doing and to focus on heaven. Even though many of my readers already know all about speaking in tongues, we need to be encouraged to do it all the more. That’s what I’ll write about next week.

Setting your mind on the Spirit is not merely a way to feel less anxious. It enables you to receive God’s life and peace and give what is in his presence to the people and situations around you. As you rejoice, pray with thanksgiving, and focus on God, you can continue growing in a life governed by the Spirit rather than by anxiety.

God, thank you that your perfect peace, which passes understanding, is always available to us. Help us to set our minds on the Spirit so that our minds are governed by your peace. Thank you that you’re with us, for us, and that you’re always working for our good.

Amen.