Anxiety and the Biblically Minded Family

Anxiety seems like a Christian buzz word these days. “Oh, I can’t. I have anxiety.” or “My anxiety is too bad, so I just can’t today.” or “I could never do that. Anxiety.” Anxiety has become a trophy in our culture. When did our Christian culture begin to accept this? When did we turn from an unwavering trust in Almighty God like Daniel in the lions’ den or Jim Elliot in the jungle of Ecuador to a wimpy faith that has no foundation? Our God hasn’t changed… so why have we? We will never be the kind of Christians that we are called to be when we believe the enemy’s lies that paralyze us. Anxiety and the Biblically Minded Family should be two nouns that don’t go together.

If you are being controlled by your fear instead of living in the confidence of the one true God, consider these three things:

1. Anxiety or worry is misplaced trust.

Worry is a misplaced trust — a trust in myself and my abilities. I am a finite person with limited resources and abilities. We shouldn’t glory or have confidence in ourselves, but that is a human tendency. God’s Word tell us that Paul gloried in his weakness. When I am weak, then am I strong. I will glory in the cross and God Himself. The Biblically Minded Family must not have a crippling anxiety. They must renew their minds and trust in the Almighty God who has control over everything in all of creation.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

2. “Do not let your heart be troubled.” John 14:1

This is an admonition to us, and we have a choice to accept, believe, and obey. That is a conscious decision every day and in every situation that I will not let my heart dwell on the things that are going to have me worried. I am going to choose to trust in the One who has control over the situations and is with me in every circumstance. I can trust in Him because He is reliable and has never failed me. His character doesn’t allow Him to ever fail.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

3. Cast all your cares upon Him because He cares for you.

When we have a burden, give that to Jesus. We are not meant to carry that on our own because we are not strong enough to lift them. But God is. When we give Him our worries, He replaces it with His peace which passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). This is how a person with cancer or one who is going into surgery can have peace. They have given that burden to God. They have put their lives in His capable hands, knowing that our lives are not really our own to begin with. We aren’t the ones who have control. This frees us up to trust in our Creator to care for us in the way He wants with a tenderness and grace that only provides.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (I Peter 5:7)

What do I do when I get a scary diagnosis or lose my job or something else happens? How should the Biblically Minded Family respond to anxiety in life?

1. Make a decision that you will not fear, but you will trust in God.

After a good cry, take that burden and give it to God. Choose in that moment that you will believe in God and His unfailing promises in your life. Take Him at His Word. Trust His promises like they are the Truth that they are. And then live in the joy and peace which comes when you surrender your will to His and trust that He has you just where He wants you. Ask God for His Peace and for the Holy Spirit to comfort you in ways that only He can.

2. Get out in Creation.

Seeing the handiwork of our Creator God truly puts life into perspective. Fresh air and warm sun brighten our mood and get those good endorphins energized. The movement of a good walk or hike immediately boosts your mood and perspective.

See some research here to learn more about how mental health is affected by being out in nature.

3. Tell yourself the Truth that you find in Scripture.

Replace the negative talk with the positive talk you hear in Scripture. Make cards that have Bible verses of comfort and of the character of God. Read them over and over again. Memorize them. Let these be the soundtrack that you continually tell yourself. When anxiety dares to creep in, crush it with the truth that you know about God and His Word. Satan will not be able to have a foothold in your life if you continue to dwell on God and His Word instead of yourself. Use these tips to help you memorize more Scripture.

TRY THESE VERSES:

Deuteronomy 3:16 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 121:7-8 “The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

Psalm 139:7-10 “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Matthew 28:20 “And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.“

John 14:16-18 “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

3. Meet with a wise friend for prayer.

Don’t suffer alone in your thoughts. Ask a friend for help. That may be a parent, coworker, friend, or someone from your congregation. Let them know your struggle and ask them for prayer and encouragement. We were never meant to do life alone. As Christians we were meant to be in community so we can bear each other’s burdens and shoulder some of the weight of needs.

4. Count your blessings.

When we feel ourselves beginning to become anxious, counting our blessings refocuses us on the goodness of God. We remind ourselves of how faithful He has been in the past and will be in the future. A friend of mine has kept a Blessings Journal for that reason. She lists blessings in her life — from people, experiences, possessions, kindness that she has witnessed, verses, and much more. How can we feel anxious or concerned when we are looking for blessings all around us? This hymn says it well:

Count Your Blessings (a hymn of the faith)

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. [Refrain]

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. [Refrain]

So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end. [Refrain]

5. Worship the Lord with gladness.

Praise and worship music that focuses on God can be a game-changer in your life. Hearing over and over again about who God is and what He has done, lifts our mood, encourages our hearts, and turns our minds back on God. Create a special playlist that you love — one that lifts your spirit up — and you will feel the difference that it makes in your life. Music can be very powerful!

Final thoughts on Anxiety and the Biblically Minded Family

While we know of people who have been diagnosed with depression and need to have medical intervention, that isn’t the norm. Not everyone who is dealing with anxiety needs to have medicine, but everyone does need to be renewed by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. I have some friends who have said that their anxiety is crippling, but when I have pressed them about their time in prayer or the Bible, they have admitted to not spending much time doing either.

Biblically Minded Families, let’s rise up and tap into the power of the Holy Spirit. Fill our mind with the Word of God to see how our anxieties are replaced with the peace of Christ which will rule in our hearts and minds.

How have you dealt with anxiety as a Biblically Minded Family? What verses have helped you to put your trust in God instead of dwelling on your circumstances? Share with us in the comments below.