Do you get so worked up over your daily problems? Does it become impossible to hear from God? In John 16:33, Jesus said we would face “tribulations” (hardships, adversity). He didn’t say we might-He said we would. It also states in Psalm 46:1 that “God is our refuge (shelter, sanctuary) and our strength, a very present help in trouble”(NKJV). Isaiah 41:10 declares God’s promise to be with His people in times of fear to offer strength and support. Romans 8:31 says that “if God is for us, who can be against us” (NKJV). These are just a few examples. But there are so many more throughout the Bible that let us know we are not alone in our struggles. Worry and anxiety are crippling states of the mind. If they run wild in our thoughts, they will eat away at our joy and peace. They will harm our health and the feeling of God’s presence in our lives. Those negative feelings are, actually, an assault on the character of God. This is because, at their core, these feelings suggest that God will not help us. We believe that He won’t bring us through our struggles. That He won’t be there for us. It’s impossible to bask in the glory of the presence of God and worry at the same time. We are forced to look at everything that is wrong when we’re anxious. The following are biblical principles that will help you overcome the fear and anxiety that plague your being.
Find Joy in the Lord
First of all, when we approach worry and stress with declarations of God’s love, we can counteract the negative connotations. His goodness and faithfulness help us do this. Purposefully trusting that God will take care of the circumstances that produced the anxiety is beneficial. Psalm 23:4 tells us that God is with us even in dark times. Isaiah 41:10 reassures us not to fear or dismay because God is with us and will give us strength. Another important concept is to attend to the business that God puts if front of us each day. This means being conscious of the fact that God is committedly involved in our lives. Lives that are to be dedicated to God’s purposes. And it is important that we integrate every part of our lives with the will of God. The work to advance His kingdom must be diligently done. Together with that is blessing others through the responsibilities and possibilities He provides. You will find it incredibly rewarding. We must also notice when God is trying to get our attention, especially in the middle of distractions. Doing this gives us a newly obtained peace of mind. When we find joy and tranquility in God, we can steer clear of the negative effects of worry. Finding joy in the Lord means putting Christ at the center of our thoughts and actions. Have you ever volunteered your time at a Salvation Army or a soup kitchen? What have you done to help the needy? Do you remember the gladness and cheerfulness with witch you served or felt afterwards?
Prayer
Second, bring all your cares to God. The Bible tells us to take everything to God in prayer, especially worries and anxiety. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication (humble prayer), with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God…” (Philippians 4:6)(NKJV). Prayer lets us surrender our troubles to God. It proves that we believe God has it handled and has an awesome plan for our lives. Prayer lets us communicate our worries to God. We acknowledge that He hears us and cares about the things that concern us. I read a book some time ago called The Practice of the Presence of God. It was a collection of letters and conversations between Brother Lawrence, a Carmalite friar, and the author. Brother Lawrence’s goal was to be in constant contact with God. That’s when I finally got it! My prayers didn’t have to be these eloquent, well-rehearsed oracles. God is the best friend I have-so why not talk to Him that way. I tell God the stupidest, most mundane things and He loves it. He just wants me to be in His presence, to spend time with Him. Even if it’s just to talk to Him about the struggle to get my hair cut short or not. He eagerly listens to whatever I have to say, though I will never tell Him something He doesn’t already know.
Bible Reading
Third is to find inspiration from the Bible. Reading and pondering on God’s Word will give you strength, understanding, and optimism in times of despair. We need to concentrate on God’s faithfulness and promises. Scripture is full of verses about or showing God’s unwavering faithfulness and promises. These words mean as much today as they did 2000 plus years ago when they were written. The Bible is God’s love letter to us. There are verses that will inspire and verses that can ease fear and doubt. For example, Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (NKJV). A shepherd protects their herd and would lay down his life for them. Christ, the Good Shepherd, laid his life down for his sheep (us). “I shall not want” means we will not lack anything that we need. I’m not saying you will have everything you want in life, but you will have what you need. Do you spend the time you need to in the Word or is it lacking? It’s not too late to just pick up the book. He would be happy with you spending an hour on one verse if you got something out of it. Anything to draw you closer to Him.
Worship and Gratitude
Fourth, is to worship God and show Him gratitude. We need to take part in any form of worship. This involves singing, listening to Christian music, or sitting quietly. It helps to think on God’s goodness. All of them can cheer you up and chase away fear and sadness by changing your point of view. Fostering gratitude is another way to shift your perspective. Deliberately concentrating on the blessings in your life through prayer, meditation or journaling can encourage appreciation for God. Everyone should be capable of thinking of at least two or three things they are grateful for. The Bible talks extensively about gratitude and thankfulness. They are significant in a Christian’s life. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (NKJV). It was suggested by one of my doctors that I start a gratitude journal. At the beginning of my journal page, I write down five or so things I’m grateful for. Essentially, blessings from God. I do this whenever I write in it. You could even go so far as to do a whole gratitude journal. Write down things you are grateful for and journal about those things and why you feel you are so blessed. This would go a long way to changing your mood and outlook on life. It’s never to late to start a gratitude journal. You are blessed…remember that.
Community
The fifth thing that can help combat worry and anxiety is community. We need to be connected to other believers. They give us encouragement and help fight loneliness and isolation. Being isolated can easily lead to anxiety and a whole host of other negative emotions. A church family or small group can offer prayer support and boost our moral during times of struggle. Many churches offer small groups, Bible studies, counseling services and other resources specifically created for the stresses of anxiety. They provide a safe space to share experiences. We can hear from others about what has helped them cope with the negative emotions they were feeling. When we are with others who feel or have felt anxiety, we realize we are not alone. We are not alone in how we feel. It’s not wrong to feel fear and anxiety but you can develop strategies to cope with them. These groups are founded on Christ so we will get biblical, faith-based advice. Throughout the Bible it talks about fellowship among believers. Galatians 6:2 speaks to fellowship saying “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ”(NKJV). In Matthew 18:20, Jesus says “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them”(NKJV). I go to a very large church so the groups aid in meeting people. They help me deal with things I go through. I have also made intimate connections that have led to great friendships.
Trust and Surrender
Finally, we need to trust and surrender to Him. This means letting go of the need to control all things. We need to realize we can only control our actions. Everything else we need to entrust to God. It’s about learning to count on His wisdom and guidance. Our God is perfect and He hold everything in His hands. Once you grasp the concept that God is in control; worry and anxiety will diminish. Remember, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God…”(Romans 8:28)(NKJV). Also keep James 1:17 in your heart. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of light, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning”(NKJV). The Serenity Prayer definitely comes to mind. It is all about control. “God, grant me the serenity (calmness, tranquility) to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can (our actions) and the wisdom to know the difference.”(https://proactive12steps.com/serenity-prayer/) That pretty much sums it up. I will be the first to admit I have control issues. And to top it all off, I’m a fixer to boot. I wrestle with letting God be God. I act like He needs my help running everything around me. When I have issues, I pray about them. But then, I go ahead and do things that may or may not change my circumstances. I don’t give God time to act in my life. But in all actuality, my life has never been my own. Not since Christ died on the cross, paid for my sins and bought my life with his blood.
We can find joy in the Lord with declarations of His goodness. This helps us counteract the negative emotions we are feeling. By bringing everything to God in prayer, we keep an open line of communication. This communication helps us realize that God has a good plan for our lives. Drawing strength and wisdom from the Bible will help us focus on God’s faithfulness and His unbroken promises. Developing a habit of worship and gratitude will lift our spirits and shift our perspective from anxious to thankful. Connecting with a community of believers will combat the loneliness and isolation that leads to anxiety. By including these practices into our daily lives, we can nourish a powerful, more secure relationship with God. This connection will lead to comfort, peace and hope in the face of anxiety.
