OVERTHINKING AND/OR ANXIETY

 

OVERTHINKING &/OR ANXIETY

Life in general can sometimes be overwhelming with many twists and turns, big dreams, high expectations, and grievous disappointments. These make us anxious, especially when our plans and expectations are not aligned with the path, we consider to be the right way. To crown it all, we become ANXIOUS. Anxiety and anxiousness plague us all in different ways. In Philippians 4:6-7, the bible tells us to 'Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.'

Now, let us dig into the meaning of Anxiousness – it is someone greatly troubled by uncertainties. It can also mean uneasiness, troubled in mind, causing anxiety.

Anxiety is derived from the Latin word angere or anguere, meaning to choke, squeeze, or torment. Now we can see what anxiety gets us to look and feel. We self-choke, trouble our minds, and torment ourselves. Before writing this piece, I have always been well-anchored in this scripture because I tasted it some twenty years ago, during a transaction with my wife, Sophia. I was working on something that seemed impossible. We were choked, greatly troubled, and had no clue as to what to do, then Philippians 4:6-7 triggered my spirit and got us to close the transaction that nearly got us into the vortex of anxiety.

A couple of weeks ago, I found myself caught in a vortex, spiralling rapidly and feeling overwhelmed. There was no help from any direction—east, west, north, or south—and I felt completely lost. The easiest option seemed to be sharing my struggles with my wife, hoping that would help ease the burden. Instead, I kept reminding myself to rely once again on my anchor scripture after twenty years. Things were truly difficult; outwardly, I appeared fine, but inside, I was tormented. Yet, paradoxically, I still felt a sense of peace in my spirit, trusting that God would see me through.

In the end, God came through at the very last moment, breaking every rule and protocol, and moving people who normally wouldn’t intervene to help on my behalf.

It's not easy to avoid overthinking when reality hits hard. In Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV), the word "be" precedes "anxious." Generally, "be" is used to define a subject's role, identity, or condition. Biblically, however, "be" carries a sense of divine authority, creation, and transformation. For example, Genesis 1:3 says, "Let there be light," expressing active and absolute divine authority. In Joshua 1:9, we read, "Be strong and courageous." Here, "be" inspires transformation in character and thinking, sparking a spiritual awakening.

This brings us back to our anchor verse, Philippians 4:6-7, which teaches that overcoming anxiety starts with “being”—embracing your role, identity, condition, spiritual authority, and character. Without establishing this foundation, you risk becoming overwhelmed and letting overthinking and anxiety consume your attention, distracting you from focusing on God. In challenging situations, the key to avoiding overthinking is first to become grounded in your transformed character or state; only then can you truly see results by keeping your focus solely on God.

Jeremiah portrays the attitude of a man who trusts in God during invasion as untroubled (non-anxious) by such events (17:8, paraphrasing Ps 1), for he draws nourishment and strength from divine resources. You can only experience this untroubled or non-anxious state when you are saved by the blood of Jesus, thus SALVATION. You need not be tormented by internal anxiety even when you are going through it because you will surely endure the opposition with God giving you that protective nature of the shield of salvation in Psalm 18:35, helmet of salvation in Isaiah 59:17; Eph 6:17, and the garment of salvation in Is 61:10.

Salvation goes beyond triumphing in difficult circumstances; it also represents your safety and security, enabling you to live a life free from fear of dangers, challenges, conflicts, betrayal, and overwhelming situations.

DO NOT BE ANXIOUS... DO NOT OVERTHINK!!!