Waiting for the Other Boot to Drop... Part 3b: Victory Over Fear & Anxiety

Do you feel this way?

You've experienced or witnessed major fall-out, loss, damage, repercussions, or trauma from someone's drug or alcohol use. Not just once, but it's happened time and time again. What's to keep it from happening again? You're living on guard, waiting for it to happen again.

I told our biblical counselor that I wanted a guarantee that my spouse would not use drugs or alcohol again. He was very candid and said that there was no guarantee that my husband wouldn't abuse substances again. There were things that he could guarantee if I was willing to hear and learn what the bible has to say.

For example:

See Part 1: Where can I place my hope and trust if I can't guarantee that my spouse will not use again?

See Part 2: Where can I place my safety and security if I can't rely on my spouse to remain drug and alcohol free?

See Part 3a and 3b: How can I learn to live without being overcome by fear and anxiety of the unknown?

See Part 4: How can I stop waiting for the other boot to drop?

We can learn to live without being overcome by fear and anxiety by focusing our minds on Christ. Rejoicing in God anchors our hearts in truth - but Scripture doesn't stop there. Once our hope is rightly placed, God shows us how to live that hope out in real relationships, real conflict, and real anxiety. In this post, we'll walk through Philippians 4:4-7 and see what it means to live with gentleness, release worry, and experience the supernatural peace of God that guards our hearts and minds - even when life is tumultuous.

Rejoice in the Lord always, Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 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.

Paul gives practical instruction for daily life:

Let your gentleness be known to all men.

Gentleness means mildness, moderation, and patience - especially in conflict. 1 Timothy 3:3 differentiates gentleness from how not to respond and how not to relate with others: not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, not quarrelsome, and not covetous. 1 Peter 2:18 gives the opposite character of one who is gentle as one who is harsh. Gentleness becomes a powerful witness, especially when circumstances tempt us toward fear and control.

Paul gives the reason for this gentle posture:

The Lord is at hand.

The Lord, who is supreme in authority, is always present, and His return is near (Revelation 1:3; 22:10). This world is not our eternal home. We are in this world for a temporary time to be a witness for Jesus Christ so that others may come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. The best witness is with a demeanor of gentleness in the midst of conflict.

Then comes the command that strikes at the heart of anxiety:

Be anxious for nothing.

This doesn't mean life won't bring uncertainty or pain. It means our trust is no longer rooted in earthly outcomes i.e. my spouse will never use drugs or alcohol again. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:19-21 not to store up treasures on earth, because where our treasure is, our heart will be also.

God is our provider, our refuge, our safety.

So what do we do instead of worrying?

But in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Everything means all things. Prayer becomes the exchange - our fears for His peace. Supplication is honestly bringing our needs before God while aligning our will with His. Thanksgiving keeps our hearts grounded in worship rather than chaos.

And this command is followed by a promise:

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Peace comes from God because God is peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. This peace surpasses human understanding and stands guard over our thoughts, desires, and emotions - even in turmoil.

Isaiah 26:3 declares,

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

Victory over fear and anxiety comes through relationship - keeping our minds fixed on God and trusting Him fully. This peace is not manufactured; it is supernatural. And it is available to us through faith in Jesus Christ.