This content may contain affiliate links. All quoted scripture in the New International Version.
Here are 8 things to remember when anxiety hits:
1) You only have to do today
Often, when we are anxious, it’s either about some future thing we’re dreading or a past event we can’t change. But God doesn’t want us living in tomorrow or yesterday – He wants us living in today.
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34
As tornados spin and fires burn; while our family members spiral in addictions, God promises He will not let us drown in our troubles.
“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 41:10
No where in the Bible does God tell us to go it alone. He gave us His spirit, our family and friends, our church fellowships, as well as health care and medicine. We have both supernatural help in His word and power and earthly sources of help available.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
As the Bible explains, fear brings torment, described as “extreme pain or anguish of body or mind” by Merriam-Webster’s definition. Human tendency is to attempt to alleviate pain if it occurs. However, abusing drugs and alcohol or turning to dopamine-inducing behaviours like gambling and porn is causing millions of people worldwide additional harm.
“’I have the right to do anything’, you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but not everything is constructive.” 1 Corinthians 10:23
Contact with nature is associated with positive benefits including more happiness, a better sense of well-being and lower mental distress, according to a report by the American Psychological Association.
“Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” Psalm 96:12
If you want to cut off the negative thought train in its tracks, find a good scripture to meditate on.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
There is almost nothing good reported in the news and social media can exacerbate anxiety. A better option could be to shut the screens off and turn the tunes up. Studies show music can elevate mood and reduce anxiety and depression. Maybe even better, we can pick up our Bible and read some verses aloud, forcing our minds off the dark thoughts and onto the light of Jesus Christ.
“ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
Whatever trouble is pushing its way through the door, it’s only temporary. Our Lord and Savior is about to return – guaranteed. Those of us who are Chosen will then enter a blissful eternity with the King of Kings, leaving all earthly miseries permanently behind.
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Quoted scriptures are from the New International Version translation.
Here are 7 times God told His people “do not be afraid” in scripture:
1. Genesis 15:1
Abram was concerned that though his estate was large, he had no heir. A servant in his house would end up inheriting everything, to Abram’s great dismay. God then speaks to Abram in a vision.
“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”
God lays out the famous promise that Abram would have an heir of his own flesh, and that his offspring would one day be as innumerable as the stars in the sky.
Addressed to the Israelites in exile, God speaks through the prophet Isaiah, reminding His people that He is in control and His powerful arms are wrapped around them.
“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.”
3. Joshua 1:9
About to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land, Joshua is full of fear. God reassures him of His continual presence.
“Have not I 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.”
Jesus is preparing the disciples to send them out into the world to spread the gospel. He warns them that persecution will come. But Jesus says people should not fear each other – they should fear God in reverence of His eternal power.
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
5. John 14:27
While the peace and security the world offers comes from money and status, which can be wiped away in a day, our Lord offers us his own supernational peace that no type of earthly destruction can erase.
“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.”
Moses had become old and learned from God that he would not cross over to the Promised Land with the Israelites. They would have to trust that God, along with their new leader Joshua, would be there to protect them as they headed into a land full of enemies.
“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.”
7. Isaiah 43:1
In another message of comfort from God to the Israelites, the Lord emphasizes that He has chosen them, made them His personal possession, and subjects of His divine protection.
“But now this is what the Lord says – he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
Daughter of God – it’s not true. Whatever is in your head right now – that niggling worry that you can’t shake, that thought that’s making you feel anxious, anything that is making you afraid – it’s a lie. There may be a fragment of reality mixed in, but you are not seeing the full truth of the matter if you are full of fear. Remember that Satan is a strategist. He knows your triggers. Is it worries about money? Your health? Is it fear of rejection or disappointing people? If the devil is on the attack, he will strike at the things that he knows are most likely to topple you – sometimes all in the same day! Keep in mind, Satan would like you to believe he is like God, but he is not. The devil is a finite being with limited resources who has already been defeated at the cross.
Here’s the truth – you are loved and protected by our infinite God who is already working on your problem – your moment of weakness, that devastating oversight or error, that loss – to turn it around for your benefit.
As the Apostle Paul wrote: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Another of Satan’s favourite ploys is isolation. Ever notice how he will work endlessly to obliterate a woman’s support system, keep her from her church, destroy her relationships and make her feel alone? He is a weak enemy but he is cunning. He has learned through the ages that humans need other humans to connect to in order to feel safe. His constant work is to destroy all human love through betrayals, abuse, addiction and all forms of strife. But there is one human connection Satan can never destroy and that is the one with our saviour Jesus who isn’t going anywhere. In fact He has gone ahead of you, is beside you and inside you right now.
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
Jesus did not want us to ever feel alone, promising the Holy Spirit will be ever-present with us as a source of comfort and someone to back us up.
“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.” (John 14:16-17)
God has not left us defenseless. In fact, He entrusted us with the most powerful tool in the universe – His word. The apostle Paul instructs us to “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” This unseen armour is available always when an attack is launched in our minds, the battleground where our fears are generated. We cannot stop the enemy from attacking, but we can control our response.
In Hebrews 4:12 Paul writes: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Our chief weapon of warfare isn’t a physical creation of a mere man – it is a supernatural weapon of God’s power and strength (2 Corinthians 10:4). We are not expected to use our own mortal strength to fight for ourselves. We are given the power of Christ and the the truth of His word to slice off the lies creating the fear in our lives, leading us into victory.
