“DEALING WITH ANXIETY”
Today’s Lesson
How often do you hear people say they suffer from anxiety? Very frequently right? Possibly everyday? Maybe majority of the people you know? Quite disturbing right? Well, what exactly is anxiety and how does anxiety affects our lives? Is anxiety life threatening or its just a phase a person goes through here and there? Is anxiety brought on by events or is it genetically a part of a person’s day-to-day? How about Christ, does anxiety affects a person’s life with him? Did Christ experience anxiety?Are there Biblical tools available to combat anxiety?
We will discuss what anxiety is
We will discuss anxiety using the scripture passage given
We will discuss how anxiety affects our lives
We will discuss how to apply the scriptures to our lives when dealing with anxiety
We will discuss how to live a healthy life while dealing with anxiety
Scripture – Philippians 4:6-9
6. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things arenoble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
LET’S DISCUSS
How can you apply this lesson to your life?
Anxiety
How many times do you hear people throw the word anxiety around? How about you, what gives you anxiety? Finances, family or children, employment, relationship, being in an unknown place or let’s sum it into one word and just say, life? Everyday life brings stressors from the moment a person wakes up in the morning to face the world. Checking emails, texts, receiving calls, watching the news, driving to work or school, being at work or school, dealing with an overbearing boss, struggling to complete an assignment on time, going home to dysfunctional household or even a lonely one. Bottomline, life can bring on stressors which brings on anxiety as a result.
There was a time where I experienced these exact feelings. I was worried, confused and felt completely unsafe about my present and my tomorrow. I had insufficient income and worked by projects. Truth is, I wanted more for myself but no matter how hard I tried, it almost felt like the entire world was against me and I became isolated and withdrawn. The moment I began reading the scriptures, I began to understood my own anxieties by recognize there is hope. In order to do so there are two things we must recognize; what anxiety is and how anxiety play a role in our lives.
Anxiety is defined as apprehensive uneasiness or nervousness usually over an impending or anticipated ill; a state of being anxious. Another definition is, mentally distressing concern or interest. Anxiety presents doubt, fear or uneasiness.
Three years ago during the pandemic, the Spirit of God revealed to me that anxiety is rooted in control. When someone experiences anxiety, the circumstances that brought it on causes them to experience fear, doubt and uneasiness which is rooted in lack of control. The opposite of fear is faith. When a person has faith, there is no room for fear, doubt or uneasiness as there is security. Life bring on anxiety due to its unpredictability. Think about it, who gets up everyday feeling secure their day will go great, their finances are increasing, they have absolutely no worries and their future is complete? Probably few people.
What you are experiencing is understandable and many of us have moments where anxiety wins but God knew this would happen, which is why He encourages us in the scriptures how to face anxiety when it shows up. This should let us know that anxiety showing up is expected to happen but anxiety should never have power over our lives. Let’s look at what the Bible says about facing anxiety.
In Chapter 6, Paul warns us not to be anxious for nothing – meaning do not allow anxiety to play a role in our lives. Paul encourages us to pray about everything and thank God in the process as we are petitioning Him (God) for what we are in need of. Let’s discuss further. Prayer is our greatest weapon. Paul encourages us to pray about EVERYTHING and thank God as if He has already taken care of our need. When you pray about something you should believe God has already taken care of your need, and in doing so the peace of God will take precedence in place of the worry. In verse 7, it says the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding? Yes, indeed this scripture is telling us God is in control. We may not understand our current situation or why we are even there but God does, put your trust in Him. The peace of God will sustain you and keep you from falling, worrying, stressing yourself out and falling into depression. If you are facing difficulty in life worships God and His peace will sustain you in spite of the current circumstance. Paul encourages us in verse 8, to focus on the good things, things that are worth our time, things that are worth celebrating and being joyful about, things that brings peace to our lives. In short, things that are of God. Paul is not saying ignore the bad things, he is saying focus on the good things and give God praise for them. Paul encourages the Philippians by saying follow the things that he does and the peace of God will be with them.
Anxiety is a joy stealer, it rattles people by stealing their joy and peace. The Bible encourages us to take our anxieties to God in prayer, thank Him in the process – whatever that process sounds like for you. God will in turn replace those feelings with peace by bringing you into the safety of a Christlike mindset – into the safety of Christ. This takes having faith in God and giving Him control and access to your life, trusting in His will for you as you navigate your day to day activities.
God loves you. He knows what you are facing or going through and He has given you the power to overcome life’s obstacles as He sees you through till the very end.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: God replaces anxiety by giving us His peace. What has God done for you that is worth giving Him thanks for?
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Edification comes from reading the Bible. We will discuss passages from the Bible on a consistent basis to bring understanding of the Word, which is necessary for life application and personal growth. [Ref – 2 Timothy 2:15].