Christians and Anxiety

When we start to look at our problems and circumstances, and begin to project future events; we are on dangerous ground. The anxious person has little peace, and without peace there is turmoil and confusion. Even Christians can experience anxiety, but it is usually a result of taking our focus off of Jesus and onto the external things going around us.

The underlying cause of anxiety is the belief that danger is lurking.

These dangers have to do with the concern that we are not able to control our circumstances, and we are vulnerable to less than desirable outcomes.

There are many things around us that can cause great apprehension and fear. What should a Christian do when they experience anxiety? Is medication the answer? There is nothing wrong with seeking an evaluation from a doctor, but what if there is more to treating anxiety than medication. Consider for a moment, that there is a spiritual realm of darkness that works against you. Christians can experience a spirit of anxiety.  

Steps to Overcoming Anxiety:

1.      Meditate and read scriptures that apply to anxiety. Speak the Word of God over your circumstances.

A man cannot discover anything about his future.

(Ecclesiastes 7:14)

Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.

(1 Peter 5:7)

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.

(Psalm 55:22)

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

(Matthew 6:34)

Do not fret-it leads only to evil.

(Psalm 37:8)

So do not worry, saying "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly father knows that you need them.

(Matthew 6:31)

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 4:6-7)

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

(Proverbs 29:25)

2.      Pray and ask the Lord to uncover the “roots” of your anxiety. Expose the lies of the enemy to the truth of God’s Word.

3.      Exercise regularly. This helps to alleviate and manage anxiety. Talk to God as you exercise.

4.      Take a warm bath; warm water relaxes muscles. Listen to relaxing music, light scented candles, and drop some lavender oil in the bath.

5.      Journal. Write down your thoughts, feelings, and worries, and then surrender them to God.

6.      Focus on one day at a time. Don’t get ahead of yourself and project future outcomes.

7.      Be careful of what you’re watching, listening to and reading for entertainment.

And remember God can break every chain! There is power in the name of Jesus. Ask Him.

Be Still Before The Lord

Trials, heartaches and debilitating circumstances may be weighing you down. Perhaps you have endured more than you think you can handle. You may be voicing to God that you are at your limit. You may be wondering if others go through such distress and trauma. You may have even thought you have done something wrong to bring on such calamity in your life. If you have ever read the book of Job in the Bible you feel like you can understand his situation because you feel like Job. You feel like there is little or no direction for your life. You are just filled with heartache and grief. You have begun to wonder what the purpose is for so much pain and turmoil. Your grief runs deep and your trials seem endless. You are desperate for peace and rest. Your zest for life has fizzled out and you drag through the days.

Consider and reflect on this scripture: The thief comes only to steal, and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. John 10:10, NIV.

What do you need to take back that the enemy has stolen from you, destroyed or killed? Has the enemy stolen your peace and joy? Destroyed your family? Or killed your passion? Are you living the abundant life that Christ came to give you? If not, maybe it is time to reclaim your life.

If you are at a place where you just cannot make sense of anything anymore; be still. Be still and listen and wait for God to show you and led you up out of the pit of despair. Being still means not trying to figure out everything or analyzing your problems. Being still means resting in God. To rest means to seize from work. You may be at “work” trying to solve your problems and trying to understand what went wrong and how to make things better. Rest your weary soul and mind. Take shelter upon the Most High God and seize (refrain) from trying to figure out outcomes and your life. Let go and let God. Embrace His comfort as you wait upon His deliverance.

Rest knowing that God will fulfill all His promises and will work all things out for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28). And if you’re feeling like Job, remember that God blessed Job’s later life more than his earlier life (Job 42:12-15). 

Peace in the Storm

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3

We cannot avoid strife in this world, but with God we can know perfect peace, even in turmoil. Keeping your thoughts and trust in God will keep you in peace. We can easily lose our peace, when we look at the surrounding circumstances in our lives and in the world.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds trough Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

God’s peace is different than the world’s peace. True peace is not found in positive thinking, the absence of conflict and strife, but it comes from knowing that God is in control. Let God’s peace guard your heart against anxiety and pressures of this world.

“Peace I leave you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

Unlike the world’s peace, which is usually defined by the absence of conflict, this peace is confident assurance in any circumstance. With Christ’s peace, we can have no need to fear the present or the future. If you are feeling full of stress, anxiety or worry, allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with Christ’s peace. Christ can give you a peace in the midst of the storm. Fear, uncertainty, doubt, worry and numerous other forces are at war with us, they can cause us to feel anxious. The peace of God can overpower all of these forces, and offer us comfort in the place of conflict and stress. Jesus says He will give us that peace if we are willing to accept it from Him.

Peace from God comes from time spent with God, listening and obeying to His voice over the voices of the enemy, and asking God to give you peace in the midst of conflict, turmoil, and chaos.