THE NOTHING AND EVERYTHING PRINCIPLE

PRE-NOTE: This was posted as a note on FACEBOOK... but this is a revised version...so if you read it on FACEBOOK...you may find some extra goodies in this version.

Hello anxious and non-anxious friends. How's your anxiety level...currently?

ANXIETY...is defined as a state of being uneasy, apprehensive, or worried about what MAY HAPPEN...concern about a POSSIBLE FUTURE EVENT.

Do your find your mind wandering to what MIGHT HAPPEN...or the POSSIBILITY of THE FUTURE? One definition of anxiety is being pulled in 20 different directions...and not being able to focus on ONE THING. Another definition is being fearful about something that you can't do anything about anyway. Whatever your definition...being anxious is NOT a God thing. We are called to CAST OUR ANXIETY ON HIM...BECAUSE HE CARES FOR YOU.
(I Peter 5:7)

Enter...THE NOTHING AND EVERYTHING PRINCIPLE...aka...THE ANXIETY BUSTERS (who ya gonna call?) This principle is found in Philippians chapter 4 verses...6-9. The key that makes this principle work is found in verse 5...THE LORD IS NEAR. If HE IS NEAR...what do you have to be ANXIOUS ABOUT.. especially if you are WALKING BY FAITH...and not by SIGHT (things revealed to the senses: Hebrews 11:1, II Corinthians 5:7 The Amplified Bible)

PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7

1. Be anxious: This means DON'T BE anxious. It is a choice. DON'T BE uneasy, apprehensive, worried about what MAY HAPPEN. Don't project your fears on FUTURE EVENTS.

2. For nothing: No thang...zilch...nada...nuttin' honey.

3. BUT: The link between the nothings and what comes next.

4. In everything: That covers all the stuff in the nothing column

NOTE: At this point...take a piece of paper and divided it down the middle. At the top on one side put NOTHING...and on the other side put EVERYTHING. Write down everything that you are ANXIOUS about under the NOTHING COLUMN. Then draw an arrow from the NOTHING COLUMN...to the EVERYTHING COLUMN..because they are exactly the same things.

5. By Prayer: This is communication with God. It is not a monologue...BUT...a two way conversation as you speak to God...and He speaks back through His written Word...and His Holy Spirit (Big S)...into your human spirit (little s). Oh yes...he may use other means of speech and communication...including brothers and sisters in the Lord and/or whatever He decides to use. It is up to us to LISTEN UP.

6. And Supplication: This is a specific, humble, petition of what you need. he will supply your NEEDS (not your greed's) according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus...and there AIN'T no shortage in glory in Christ Jesus.

7. With Thanksgiving: This is where your FAITH is applied to #'s 1-6...aka where the rubber meets the road. You THANK HIM...BEFORE anything ...of the nothings...and the everythings...ever change. You begin to attach faith to your confident expectations (aka hopes)...and WALK BY FAITH...and not what is revealed to your senses. This includes...what MAY HAPPEN...or the FUTURE EVENTS.

8. Let/Allow your requests be MADE KNOWN to God: He knows already what you need...but places the choice in your hands...to WORRY or TRUST HIM. To worry or not to worry...that is the question. The answer: NOT!! As you allow your requests to be released to Him...you give Him permission (as if He needed it...but He chooses to let us limit Him)...to in your life. One thing that pleases God is FAITH (Hebrews 11:6) You must come to Him with your requests...and believe that He is...and that He is a REWARDER of those who diligently seek Him and not those who just passively inquire of Him.

CAUSE AND EFFECT OF DOING #1-8

And the PEACE OF GOD...which surpasses all comprehension...shall GUARD your hearts and your minds in CHRIST JESUS: The areas of attack is the (a) heart (b) the mind. Peace is the guard. The attack is still swirling aroundyou...BUT...you are at REST/WHOLE. The peace you can comprehend is the ABSENCE OF CONFLICT...God wants you to GO BEYOND YOUR COMPREHENSION. (and reel in your worried imaginations).

NOTE: Unrestrained minds (what you think)...produces unrestrained words (what you speak) ...resulting in unrestrained thoughts (what you think).

KEY TO A PROPER MINDSET

Romans 5: 5-8 speaks of TWO MINDSETS...(a) one on the FLESH (B) one on the SPIRIT (Big S). The cause and effect of the mind set is (a) flesh/death (b) Spirit/life and peace.. Isaiah 26:3 speaks of a PERFECT PEACE...but it does not come unless you STAY/SET your MIND on Him.

Philippians 4:8 shows where our MINDS SHOULD BE DWELLING. Note: Where you mind is dwelling...will be telling...on YOUR LIPS and YOUR ACTIONS. This is also known as THE WHATEVER PRINCIPLE (again your choice). WHATEVER IS:

a. True
b. Honorable
c. Right
d. Pure
e. Lovely
f. Of Good Report...versus bad report. (Whose report are ya gonna believe...we will believe the REPORT OF THE LORD)
g. Any Excellence
h. Anything worthy of praise.

LET/ALLOW YOUR MINDS TO DWELL ON THESE THINGS!!!!

WHAT NEXT?

In Philippians 4:9...find somebody that is walking in these things...and then...WHAT YOU:

a. Have learned
b. Have received
c. Have heard
d. Have seen
e. PRACTICE THESE THINGS!!!

Well...there ya go...THE NOTHING AND EVERYTHING PRINCIPLE FOR ANXIETY BUSTING.

Love and Non-Anxious Kisses
Rodney "Walkin' By Faith...and NOT Things Revealed To The Senses" Boyd