Overcoming Anxiety ... And Then Some

Overcoming Anxiety ... And Then Some

Overcoming anxiety, fear, worry....they all pretty much fall in the same category. How do you know if you're feeling anxiety? What is it exactly? Here's what Webster says:

1 a : painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind usually over an impending or anticipated ill b : fearful concern or interest c : a cause of anxiety

2 : an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physiological signs (as sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it.

Wow, does that describe ongoing situations in your life or what? It sure does in mine.

Even though you have a spirit, a body, and a soul (your mind, will, and emotions), the part that struggles with these kinds of issues is always the soul. As long as you have the capacity to think and reason, it seems that worry and overcoming anxiety come along with it.

It all starts from the soul's desire to control everything. You reason...you think...you dwell, and then you become anxious because you can't control the future. Even the best laid plans come complete with all sorts of unforeseen things that cause commotion and havoc. So doesn't that justify being anxious and afraid?

So.....I'm Different?

Yup, you sure are. Because you're a Christian, you have access to some great stuff. Overcoming anxiety doesn't have to be a struggle you take on by yourself. God didn't create us to be anxious and afraid. In fact, the Bible says the exact opposite. Here is some wonderful scripture that sums it all up. Jesus was preaching and had just given the apostles the Lord's prayer. Isn't it amazing how He included this topic as a part of that particular episode?

Matthew 25-31: Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater (in quality) than food, and the body (far above and more excellent) than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they?
And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure (cubit) to his stature or to the span of his life?
And why should you be anxious about clothes? Consider the lilies of the field and learn thoroughly how they grow; they neither toil nor spin.
Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his magnificence (excellence, dignity, and grace) was not arrayed like one of these.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will He not much more surely clothe you, O you of little faith?

Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear?

(Amplified Bible translation.)

Can I Actually Get Past This?

Well.....so the Lord says don't be anxious. You read the words and you REALLY want them to be real for you....are there really people out there overcoming anxiety and fear?

The bible never said you won't have emotions. It never said you won't feel anxious or afraid. But it does say you don't have to ride on the train of emotions. Here are some things you can do to help you in overcoming anxiety:

Know that whenever you start to feel anxious or afraid, it's NOT God. Have you ever noticed that when you start to feel this negative stuff, it feels like someone sitting on your shoulder whispering every bad thing that could happen in your ear? I can guarantee it isn't God. The good news is that when you trust God, He gives you peace. And that's all you need.

Fill yourself up with God's Word. When you know where you stand as a believer, you have an entire arsenal of spiritual weapons to use when anxiety and fear show up. Memorize scriptures that combat these negative emotions.

Say scripture out loud. There is tremendous power in your words. The Bible says you have the power to choose life or death simply by the words that come out of your mouth.

After you turn the situation over to God, go out and be a blessing to someone else. This is one of the most powerful things you can do while you're overcoming anxiety, mostly because you stop hearing all the negative stuff in your ear, AND you're focusing on doing something positive so God can work in your situation.

There is help available if you know where to look. Sometimes knowing what causes you all that anxiety and stress can really help you move past it. Here's a FREE test that can help you figure out what to do next. I took it and it was real, accurate, and not touchy-feely.