Blog by Karen Lusher, friend, CSA-XPMEDIA.COM
As I’ve been interceding for one so precious to me suffering greatly with anxiety and depression that just won’t seem to let up even with medication, the Lord highlighted this familiar passage to me with new revelation that I’d like to share. What He highlighted I’ll put in bold print, and what He impressed on me, I’ll put in italics. Hopefully this will be a blessing for those struggling with similar issues.
Many of you love this passage: 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 Rejoice in the Lord always. (Lord, You want this to be my lifestyle….you said it twice!) I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. (This is the important precedent for His next point…..He Is Near!!!! ) Do not be anxious about ANYTHING, but in EVERYTHING, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD.
(I saw a picture of lots of little clouds around this dear one’s head each with a legitimate “anything” inside of it that would make any woman anxious. Then I saw a big red heart shape symbolizing the heart of God. I saw her taking every “Anything” one at a time, grabbing it, taking it captive, but most importantly, giving God her petition about each one as she thanked Him for taking it from her and releasing it into His heart labeled “Everything.” Thanksgiving, petitioning, and thrusting were all connected in one prophetic action of faith! I saw that this was the essence of spiritual warfare as we read about in II Corinthians 10:4,5. This tells us what to DO with those things we take captive; it’s an action I love of THRUSTING that “ANYTHING” into God’s EVERYTHING heart to deal with, which is exactly what He has promised us He would do!!! To me this prophetic action she could actually do was very significant, because there were so many “anythings” that she didn’t know what to do with. How could she possibly keep so many captive? But there is more….something even more wonderful than this!!)
And the PEACE OF GOD WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING, (This peace that He gives us when we give Him all of our ”anythings” lifts us up over these worries. It doesn’t make sense, for we don’t see in the natural that anything has changed…) (that peace… will GUARD your HEART (even though it’s been broken and has been so troubled, it’s guardednow by the peace of God. It’s guarded; God’s peace guards your precious heart! All of its ”anythings’ were thrust into His ” everythings,” and it’s now guarded against future attacks, for this thanksgiving, petitioning/thrusting of our “anythings” becomes a lifestyle!) and (it also guards) your Mind in Christ Jesus. (Your troubled mind full of worry and concerns is now guarded by God’s peace for we are in Christ Jesus, and He gives us His very mind. There need be no more worry about our thoughts. Our mind is guarded by God’s peace which takes us to verses 8 and 9. Our thoughts are focused now on thinking about whatever is lovely, pure, excellent, admirable, and praiseworthy ….peaceful thoughts….and all anxiety goes.
This dear one could see the picture of this and proceeded to take her many concerns to the Lord, one by one. It is something she is practicing day by day and even though she’s still struggling, I see her growing in this and I’m seeing some new hope. She likes the thought she can DO something with her “anythings..” and intercede for them all in one action. It takes away her sense of powerlessness and gives her a greater sense of accomplishment. My prayer is that I am able to help this dear one make this “thanksgiving/petitioning/thrusting prophetic act” of each “anything” that haunts her a habit and becomes a permanent part of her new lifestyle so that she never struggles with this again. It’s God’s preventive medicine as well. God wants to give her heart and mind peace, and in these verses He teaches us how to get there. Blessings to all who suffer and struggle with depression and anxiety. May the Lord give us all revelation of these things so we can walk them out.