Overcoming Anxiety
Anxiety is something so many of us face, and we need to tackle it head-on. Let’s begin by asking a question: What makes you most anxious?
The list of potential worries is endless, and it’s only grown over the last few years. Studies show anxiety has been on the rise:
Anxiety impacts people from all walks of life. It doesn’t discriminate, and it doesn’t mean you’re less of a Christian. Whether or not you struggle with it personally, it’s important to have grace for those who do, because it could be your spouse, your coworker, or even your kids.
What God Says About Anxiety.
The Bible gives us tools to confront anxiety. Let’s look at Philippians 4:4-7:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.”
Paul was writing to a church dealing with persecution and fear. His teaching shows us that overcoming anxiety isn’t a one-time event—it’s a process. He calls us to renew our minds by focusing on God’s truth rather than fear. This renewal creates new thought patterns that break the cycle of anxiety.
Think about a locomotive train and the tracks it runs on. Your thoughts are like the train tracks, and your life is the locomotive. No matter how powerful the locomotive, the train only goes where the tracks lead. If you’ve been laying down tracks of fear and negativity with the thoughts you think and words you say, then your train—your life— can only head toward anxiety. To change the destination, you need to lay down new tracks of faith, hope, and truth.
David echoes this in Psalm 42:5:
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”
Here'e the things, by choosing to focus on God’s promises, David lifted his soul out of despair and in doing changed the direction in which he was heading.
4 Practical Steps to Overcoming Anxiety
Remember that Anxiety is Not Your Destiny
Anxiety is a chapter, not your whole story. Psalm 23:4 reminds us, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” God’s presence ensures we’re never alone.
Don’t Let Anxiety Become Your Identity
Avoid internalizing anxiety as a label. You are not your struggle. 2 Timothy 1:7 declares, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Use Worship as Your Weapon
Philippians 4:4 calls us to rejoice always. Worship shifts our focus from the size of our problems to the greatness of our God. When we worship, we allow faith to take control over fear. Psalms 34:1-4 shows David’s process of seeking God through worship, resulting in deliverance from fear.
Choose Joy
We must decide to let joy take control of our emotions. Joy isn’t about ignoring problems; it’s about focusing on the good things God has done and trusting Him for what’s ahead. This shift in perspective changes us from the inside out.
A Final Thought.
One night during a thunderstorm, my daughter ran to my bed, scared and crying. I held her in my arms, and though the storm outside didn’t stop, her fear subsided. She found peace in my presence. This is what God does for us. Worship and faith brings us into His presence, where we find the comfort and strength to face our fears.
Psalm 16:11 says, “In Your presence is fullness of joy.” Let’s choose to step into God’s presence today, releasing anxiety and embracing His peace.
God invites us to choose joy—to focus on His goodness, promises, and love. Your circumstances may not change immediately, but you will. And as you change, you’ll find freedom from anxiety and the strength to face whatever lies ahead.
The list of potential worries is endless, and it’s only grown over the last few years. Studies show anxiety has been on the rise:
- 1 in 6 Americans are on anti-depression or anti-anxiety medications.
- 1 in 5 Americans struggle with anxiety disorders.
Anxiety impacts people from all walks of life. It doesn’t discriminate, and it doesn’t mean you’re less of a Christian. Whether or not you struggle with it personally, it’s important to have grace for those who do, because it could be your spouse, your coworker, or even your kids.
What God Says About Anxiety.
The Bible gives us tools to confront anxiety. Let’s look at Philippians 4:4-7:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.”
Paul was writing to a church dealing with persecution and fear. His teaching shows us that overcoming anxiety isn’t a one-time event—it’s a process. He calls us to renew our minds by focusing on God’s truth rather than fear. This renewal creates new thought patterns that break the cycle of anxiety.
Think about a locomotive train and the tracks it runs on. Your thoughts are like the train tracks, and your life is the locomotive. No matter how powerful the locomotive, the train only goes where the tracks lead. If you’ve been laying down tracks of fear and negativity with the thoughts you think and words you say, then your train—your life— can only head toward anxiety. To change the destination, you need to lay down new tracks of faith, hope, and truth.
David echoes this in Psalm 42:5:
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”
Here'e the things, by choosing to focus on God’s promises, David lifted his soul out of despair and in doing changed the direction in which he was heading.
4 Practical Steps to Overcoming Anxiety
Remember that Anxiety is Not Your Destiny
Anxiety is a chapter, not your whole story. Psalm 23:4 reminds us, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” God’s presence ensures we’re never alone.
Don’t Let Anxiety Become Your Identity
Avoid internalizing anxiety as a label. You are not your struggle. 2 Timothy 1:7 declares, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Use Worship as Your Weapon
Philippians 4:4 calls us to rejoice always. Worship shifts our focus from the size of our problems to the greatness of our God. When we worship, we allow faith to take control over fear. Psalms 34:1-4 shows David’s process of seeking God through worship, resulting in deliverance from fear.
Choose Joy
We must decide to let joy take control of our emotions. Joy isn’t about ignoring problems; it’s about focusing on the good things God has done and trusting Him for what’s ahead. This shift in perspective changes us from the inside out.
A Final Thought.
One night during a thunderstorm, my daughter ran to my bed, scared and crying. I held her in my arms, and though the storm outside didn’t stop, her fear subsided. She found peace in my presence. This is what God does for us. Worship and faith brings us into His presence, where we find the comfort and strength to face our fears.
Psalm 16:11 says, “In Your presence is fullness of joy.” Let’s choose to step into God’s presence today, releasing anxiety and embracing His peace.
God invites us to choose joy—to focus on His goodness, promises, and love. Your circumstances may not change immediately, but you will. And as you change, you’ll find freedom from anxiety and the strength to face whatever lies ahead.
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