I changed My Mind about Worry and Anxiety
Worry, Anxiety, and Fear are so prevalent in today’s world. It causes sickness for many people and it now seems ‘normal’ to be on medication to ease it. However, scripture commands that none of the three should be part of who we are. God has created us to live in peace. He does not want us to live in fear. Here are definitions for the three:
Fear – Negative emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat
Anxiety – A feeling of uneasiness or nervousness about something with an uncertain outcome
Worry – Dwelling mentally on difficulty or trouble
All three of these go hand in hand. When we let these feelings into our lives, we are missing the peace and joy that can come from God.
So, How do we overcome these? Jimmy Evans had three suggestions from a recentย sermon
1. Consider them as agents of the Enemy to destroy your life and rob your joy.
Here comes the enemy again. The same dang one that made me upset last week! He attempts to rob us from seeing God’s truth. This causes us to lose our focus and peace and puts up a barrier for worship. Because of that we are filled with worry, anxiety, and fear and we lose sight of our relationship with God. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7
2. Turn every anxious and worrisome thought into a prayerย
Scripture commands us to ask God, through prayer and petition, with a thankful heart. When we seek God, He removes all anxiety and grants us peace. He does not give us or put us in any situation too difficult. 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. Philippians 4:6โ7
3. By faith, believe and confess that God is in control and He will always care for you.ย
God desires for us to seek Him so He can bless us. When we take each day on it’s own, we show Him that our full trust is in Him. When we forget to focus on Him, we miss all the joys He wants to bless us with. So do not worry, saying, โWhat shall we eat?โ or โWhat shall we drink?โ or โWhat shall we wear?โ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:31โ34
This world says that worry, anxiety, and fear are normal. Thankfully, Jesus has overcome the world. Join me in seeking Him and being overwhelmed with a peace that surpasses all understanding!
Kailey Birkeland
Posted at 03:09h, 23 JuneSOOO good!!!! I was just talking about this with my sis the other day. The Lord has definitely paid the price for our fear, anxiety, and worry. He has OVERCOME!!!! I love that you shared this.
Jimmy Evans has spoken at our marriage conference the past two years. I really like hearing him speak on marriage, I guess I should go listen to his other sermons ๐
Amy
Posted at 03:16h, 23 JuneThanks for posting these important reminders. There are sure a lot of these emotions involved in infertility. I love reflecting on Phillipians 4:6-7. I need to remember to bring the small and the big worries to Him everytime.
Aspgriswold
Posted at 14:06h, 23 JuneThese are some great reminders of how to deal with these feelings. Thanks for posting!!
Jessah @ Dreaming of Dimples
Posted at 14:17h, 23 JuneYou have great perspective! Love reading your posts.
JoJo
Posted at 10:57h, 24 JuneThank you for these reminders we all need to be reminded sometimes. ๐
Erin
Posted at 19:30h, 24 JunePreach on sister! Speak Truth and Life. Love it!
Laura
Posted at 19:39h, 24 JuneThis is such a great and helpful post! It’s so easy to let anxiety take over our lives, especially while TTC. But you’re right, it’s so important to channel those thoughts in a positive direction, rather than a negative one! ๐
Suzanne
Posted at 02:18h, 25 JuneIt seems every time I’m having a down moment you have a new blog post that reminds me to just breathe, thank god for what I DO have, and hope and pray that he has a plan for me that is going bring the joy of a child to my life. Thank you…for always having so many positive words to share.
bmeleski2
Posted at 16:27h, 25 JuneThank you for this post although I wish I would have seen this one on Sunday. Sunday the enemy really got a hold of me :(. So I really needed to read this today and remember how amazing our GOD is even when the enemy gets a hold of us and try’s to bring us down.
Em
Posted at 02:01h, 26 JuneI love #2. What a simple but powerful idea. Very doable.
Unceasing, Uninterrupted Valkyrie
Posted at 08:05h, 26 JuneOH I had to learn this the hard way when going through my divorce