Anxiety is a thief. If you let it, it will steal your peace, your confidence, and your joy. And I think it's safe to say we're all living in a world of anxiety, worry, and stress right now.

In Philippians 4, the apostle Paul wrote, "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" (vv. 6-7).

If you can truly embrace these verses, I believe they'll revolutionize your approach to this—and every—season of life. Let's look at a fourfold approach to understanding and overcoming anxiety.

First, the problem: anxiety. The Greek word for anxiety, merimnaó, literally means to tear or divide the mind. It's an apt description, isn't it? On one hand, given the current state of things in our world, especially among unbelievers, I understand why panic has become so widespread. If you don't live with an anchor of faith, you'll be adrift in a sea of anxiety and isolation. But things are different for the child of God.

The prescription: "Be anxious for nothing." That might seem absolutely unrealistic to you right now. But it's a commandment, and Jesus said the same thing, didn't He? "Do not worry about your life.... Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:25-26). Worrying is not only unhealthy; it's also unbecoming to a child of God. It's as if you're saying, "God, I don't trust You or Your promises."

The prayer: "But in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." The cure for worry is to redirect your energy by replacing your anxiety with prayer. Notice the different kinds of prayer Paul mentioned: The first is simply prayer, often translated as worship or devotion. Whenever you're tempted to worry this coming week, try worshiping instead? Worship and worry cannot coexist. Then there's supplication—an emotional, heartfelt crying out; thanking God for what He has done and what He has promised to do. Finally, the command to simply "let your requests be made known to God."

The promise: "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." The peace of God transcends human understanding (see Isaiah 26:3). It's a tranquil confidence everything will be okay because God is the Master of the universe. This peace will guard your heart and mind like a sentry guarding a gate, keeping certain thoughts from entering.

Notice the process: We enter this passage in Philippians in anxiety, but we exit in peace. Between the two—is prayer.

So cast your cares on the One who cares for you (see 1 Peter 5:7), the One who perhaps right now is tapping you on the heart, saying, "I want you to resign from trying to control everything and worrying about everything. I'm your Father, and I'm going to take care of you."

Redirect your energy by replacing your anxiety with prayer, supplication, thanksgiving, and the clear expression of your requests. When you do, you'll experience the inexplicable peace that will guard your mind and your heart through Jesus.