How To Crush Anxiety

Church Family:
Anxiety affects ten out of ten people in the world. Some struggle more than others. Anxiety can be a crushing reality that permeates all of life. From youth to old age, we can live lives that are endlessly anxious and troubled. We all know how persistent worries can consume our thoughts, and those who are highly anxious often exhaust themselves and become their own worst enemies. We can find ourselves worried about most anything. In your anxiety, have you ever slowed down to think about what exactly is this anxiety that drains your day of its hope, joy and, strength?

Anxiety is more than a feeling; it is how you think about and react to the future. It sees a potential threat and worries, “I don’t want this to happen.” This creates a troubled mind filled with uncertainty and hopelessness.

Anxiety begins with the belief that something harmful may occur to you or someone you care about. Then, you want to prevent it but doubt your ability to do so. These thoughts combine to produce anxious feelings rooted in fear and a desire for control. Anxiety focuses your thoughts inward on yourself instead of thoughts on Christ who is working all things for your good.

How do we win the battle against life-consuming anxiety? Scripture commands us not to be anxious, but a command alone doesn’t always quiet our fears. We must look closely at the verses surrounding that command. When Paul says, “Be anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6), he reminds us just before that God is always present: “He is at hand” (Phil 4:5-7; Psalm 139:5-12; Romans 8:38-39). Trusting that God is near crushes anxiety. Our merciful, gracious, and steadfast loving Heavenly Father is with us, working all things for our good and His glory. His promised presence is for us to trust that we truly have no reason to be anxious.

Another command just before Paul's command to us not to be anxious is “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4). God wants us to know that rejoicing crushes anxiety. We are to rejoice because we belong to God’s joyful family. Because God rejoices over us (Zephaniah 3:17), He wants us to rejoice in Him. His joy is a powerful weapon against anxiety. Our rejoicing connects us to God’s joy, which is our strength to combat anxious thoughts (Nehemiah 8:10).

When we believe that God is present and joyful over us, His Spirit drives us to lay our anxieties before Him in prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6). Prayer and gratitude pulls our attention from anxiety and fixes it on God’s loving work in our circumstances which crushes anxiety. Then His peace, which surpasses all understanding, will flood our hearts and minds, bringing rest in the most difficult times.

Jesus invites us: “My peace is unmatched in the universe. Would you like some? I am here with you, and you are a joy to Me, so don’t be anxious. I know what I am doing in your life, and I would love to show you that I am working everything for your good, so come to me and ask how I am making this happen.”

See you Sunday, crushing anxiety: Steve