Defeat Anxiety

“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.

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 4:6-8

There are a lot of triggers for anxiety and many reasons why people struggle with it frequently. God instructed us to not be anxious about anything (v.6). He believes in your ability to overcome anxiety with His help, but God needs you to also believe! To overcome anxiety, you first have to believe that you can be free from it and that you’re not forever sentenced to a life of anxiety. You have to overcome the thinking that this is just the way you are and that this will always be your reality.

We’re told to come to God in every situation by prayer and petition (v.4). This dependence on God by trusting in Him and relying on His Church to come around you is a major step toward walking in freedom from the anxiousness that can arrest your peace. Fighting a battle like anxiety by yourself is signing up for failure. Bring it before God, transparently allow others to help, and don’t try to defeat anxiety alone.

If you’re struggling with being anxious, your mind is likely focused on the triggers of that anxiety or related fears. As long as your mind is set on all the bad things that bother you and that could go wrong, it will be hard to find peace! It’s important that you come to God with thanksgiving (v.4) as it trains your mind to focus on His goodness and the wonderful things He has done.

When you begin to remember who God is and the good things He has done, it’s hard to simultaneously dwell on all the triggers of your anxiety. Thanksgiving adjusts the posture of your heart and can build your faith as you reflect on the power of God to act in goodness as He has done before.

Finally, we’re instructed to bring our requests to God (v.4), trusting He is able to help us with our need. It’s difficult to ask for help if you don’t know where the problem originated. If all you can discern is general anxiety, then begin asking for help at that starting point, but don't stop searching. You may need to seek council and other believers with discernment, but digging down to the root issues under your anxiety can help you bring a more specific request before God!

These answers will also provide clarity of next steps.

Sometimes a root issue is visible with a little digging around and at other times it may require surgical exploration of past wounds, failures, or family history. With the assistance of others, reliance on God in dependent prayer, and developing a thankful mind you can defeat anxiety!

Believe that you can defeat anxiety with God's help because He believes in you!

Right on?

Read/listen to Philippians chapters 3-4 and Colossians chapter 1

Prayer focus: talk to God about anything in your life or past that triggers anxiety and both surrender it to Him while also asking for His wisdom to defeat the anxiety

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