The question isn't whether we will experience anxiety. We will all have to deal with anxious feelings at some point. The question is how will we deal with anxiety when we experience it?
We feel the judgment as Christians (don’t we?) when we experience anxiety—because we feel like we are always supposed to have perfect faith. Yet even our Lord experienced anxiety to the point of sweating drops of blood, but our Savior did not remain in that state. He prayed, "And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground" (Luke 22:44, ESV).
The question isn't whether we will experience anxiety. We will all have to deal with anxious feelings at some point. The question is how will we deal with anxiety when we experience it?
Jesus combatted anxiety with prayer—and so can we.
The Bible is not silent about anxiety. It is replete with prayers spoken by those afflicted with anxiety. And it holds answers for us when we don't feel that we can overcome the temptation to be anxious.
God was a refuge for David when He was hiding out in caves. God was the preeminent hope for Jeremiah in seemingly hopeless circumstances that left anxiety in Israel's wake. And Jesus is our peace when we live in a troubled world.
Peace is not found in a perfect life. It is found in our perfect Savior amid our imperfect life. And it is accessed through prayer and God's word.
God longs to bring peace to our anxious hearts by transforming the thoughts that weigh us down. Circumstances may remain, but how we perceive our circumstances can change as we encounter God through prayer and His Word.
When we feel like we cannot choose to be free of anxiety, we need to speak truth to that lie. God's Word unlocks our fearful, anxious hearts and speaks peace to our souls—peace that surpasses all understanding. The Holy Spirit bears the fruit of peace in our lives even when our lives are filled with turmoil.
When you feel stuck in anxiety, choose these seven principles, speak these Scriptures, and pray these prayers to free you from anxiety's grip:
1. Choose Joy
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice" (Philippians 4:4, ESV).
Oh God, help me to choose joy in You even when my circumstances scream fear and sadness. Help me to find my joy in You above all else. I rejoice in You, Lord, and in Your promises. I lay my fear and sadness over failed expectations down at Your feet and pick up Your joy, instead. The joy of the Lord is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Help me to count it all joy when I face trials, knowing that You will use them all to make me more like You (James 1:2).
2. Choose Contentment
“Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:5, NASB).
Lord, help me to be patient in tribulation and to endure suffering well for Your glory. May I be content with my circumstances, knowing full well that You see me, and that You are sovereign over all. When anxiety tries to pull me under, help me to overcome and realize that I do not have to ride the rollercoaster of anxiety. Help me to choose to accept my lot and cling to You in the midst.
3. Choose Gratitude
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6, ESV).
Oh God, I give thanks to You in every situation. Thank You for being with me in all things. Thank You that You are good and that You will use even this present circumstance for my good and Your glory (Romans 8:28). Help me to pray about my situation rather than worry about it. Help me to be thankful even when it feels like there is nothing to be thankful for.
4. Choose Honesty
"We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead" (2 Corinthians 1:8-11, NLT).
Oh Lord, I admit that this stress feels like more than I can bear. I will not hide my anxious feelings from You. I confess them to You and ask You to help me rely on Your goodness and nothing else. I don’t like what I am going through, oh, God, and it feels impossible. But You raise the dead, oh God—nothing is too difficult for You. I trust You with my life. You can heal me and give me grace greater than my pain.
5. Choose Trust
"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" (Isaiah 26:3, NLT).
Lord, help me trust in You when it feels like things are completely out of control. Help me fix my eyes on You, not on the waves that surround me. You are Almighty God, omnipotent, omniscient, completely trustworthy! I trust in Your perfect Word. I trust in Your character. I trust in Your promises, and I trust You, Lord. You are enough for whatever I go through.
6. Choose Peace
"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all" (2 Thessalonians 3:16, ESV).
Lord, I lay down my expectations for this life at Your feet. You are my peace, not perfect circumstances. Lord, help me to let go of anxiety and to hold fast to You. You are with me. I am not alone. You have overcome the world and can help me to overcome anxiety, too.
7. Choose God's Thoughts over Yours
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7, ESV).
Lord, help me to align my thoughts with Yours. Your thoughts are higher than mine (Isaiah 55:8-9). Protect my mind and heart, Lord. Help me to choose faith over feelings and please set my mind free of anxious thoughts. Oh God, You can calm the storms in my life. You can give me peace at all times. I let go of needing to know why storms are allowed into my life. I let go of needing to have things my way. I let go and let You have all my life, Lord. Your will be done in the dark places where I cannot see. I lay down anxiety and pick up Your perspective and perfect peace.
In Christ, we can overcome the control of anxiety. Whether our mindset of anxiety arises from situations, social environments, traumatic events, or a disorder, there is hope. When anxiety comes knocking on the door of our hearts, we can speak to our fearful hearts that anxiety does not rule us anymore. Christ's peace does. We have a solution to the multitude of anxieties that can plague us. We get to choose the peace of Christ to rule our hearts over anxiety.
“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful” (Colossians 3:15, NET).
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