Overcoming Anxiety.

What is anxiety, why you have it, and how to overcome it.

Anxiety is a part of life, and is a normal, emotional response that we experience as a result of stress. Everyone gets anxious sometimes. But some people are anxious all the time. That is one of the defining characteristics of an anxiety disorder.

Panic attacks, constant worry, obsessing compulsively: all of those things are characteristics of an anxiety disorder.

There are several types of anxiety disorders, including general anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and phobias. The Bible teaches us that God is a God of order and peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). It is not in God's original design for people to live with anxiety disorders. But as a result of The Fall in Genesis 3, humanity is under the curse of brokenness. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Anxiety affects approximately 40 million adults in the United States - that's over 18% of the US population. Anxiety also affects over 25% of children between the ages of 13 and 18.

One day, all of creation will be redeemed and restored, and anxiety will cease to exist. Until that day, here are some things to help you understand anxiety, and to help you overcome it.

Anxiety is not a demon.

That may seem like a strange place to start, but it needs to be said. If you're not a Christian, reading that statement may seem ridiculous. But if you are a Christian, chances are, at some point or another, you may have heard a preacher say that anxiety is a demon, or demon possession, or some other form of demonic oppression. Chances are, that preacher doesn't know the Bible very well, and just got that idea from another preacher who doesn't know the Bible very well.

There are many preachers and "Bible Teachers" who just make stuff up. These are usually men and women have no formal biblical training, who often fabricate their doctrines on what they describe as supernatural revelations. Then they go around "casting out the demons of anxiety". That's not how it works.

Stop spiritualizing anxiety.

There are many preachers and "Bible Teachers" who just make stuff up. These are men and women have no formal biblical training, and often fabricate their doctrines on what they describe as supernatural revelations.

What actually causes anxiety?

While we don't have all of the answers, we have some. A number of things are known to cause anxiety, including traumatic experiences, excessive stress, and some underlying health problems. According to the Mayo Clinic, anxiety can even be hereditary. (The preachers I mention above would like to interrupt for a moment to call hereditary anxiety a "generational curse." Smh.)

Another common cause of anxiety is loss: the loss of a job, the loss of a loved one, even the loss of a relationship. And while anxiety is not a "spiritual problem," our spiritual life can be a contributing factor. If your relationship with God is broken, that feeling of loss can be a contributing factor to your anxiety.

The good news? Anxiety is highly treatable.

3 Steps to Overcoming Anxiety

1) Find rest in Jesus.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace. If you are feeling overwhelmed with anxiety, find rest in him. There are several ways you can do this.

1. Talk to Him. Prayer is one of the most effective tools for overcoming your anxiety. Often times, just talking about your problems is stress relieving. You have the opportunity to de-stress with the Prince of Peace. Sometimes we feel the need to formalize our prayers, and structure them in a way we think would be appealing to God. That is not necessary. When Jesus was experience immense anguish and anxiety in the Garden of Gethsemane, he prayed the words "Abba, father". Abba is the Hebrew word for "daddy." Romans 8:15 tell us that we were adopted into the family of God, and have that same right to call God "abba," literally = daddy.

2. Hear from Him. God wants to speak to you. He wants to reassure you. And one of the primary ways he does that is through His Word, the Bible. Scripture is full of God's comforting promises: reminders that He loves you, that you are precious to Him, and that He hold your life in His hands. King David reminds us in Psalm 56 that God watches over us when we toss in bed late at night, unable to sleep. And that He collects all of the tears that we cry. Our God is not disinterested in our lives - he has numbered each and every hair on our heads. He cares deeply for you; trust in Him.

3. Worship Him. When the Spirit of God is present, your fears melt away. One of of the ways this happens is through the power of worship. Scripture refers to worship as "joyful noise." Worship music has the ability calm your nerves, and relieve your anxiety. The lyrics in most worship songs point to Jesus, and bring him praise. Surrounding yourself with praise directed at Jesus connects you to him and restores your job. And music itself is powerful, and has the ability to improve your mood.

2) Honor the Sabbath.

So much of the stress in our lives comes from a lack of rest. Anxiety is sometimes our body's way of telling us to slow down and rest.

Psalm 23 says that "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He MAKES me lie down in green pastures..." He MAKES me rest.

Sheep aren’t the brightest animals, and they often don’t know when to stop moving after they’ve gotten tired. Sheep are known for getting panicked and frightened, so the shepherd will have to MAKE them lie down.

Anxiety is sometimes our body's way of telling us to slow down and rest.

Rest is so important, that God modeled it Himself. When God created the universe, the Bible says that on the 7th day - He rested. Why? God doesn’t get tired, so why rest? He was modeling the importance of rest to your life. Every 7th day - rest.

The Bible is filled with instructions about rest and relaxation. Rest is so important, that God put it in his top 10 commandments. Right up there with don’t commit adultery, don’t lie, don’t murder - God said "take a day of rest."

Does rest mean going to 3 church services on Sunday? Maybe; but probably not. Enjoy time with your family, read a good book, explore the outdoors. Find your "green pastures." take a long vacation. Yes, God's wants you to lay on the beach drinking fruity drinks.

3) Seek wise counsel.

The Book of Proverbs tells us that "in an abundance of counselors there is safety." (Proverbs 11:14). God did not design us to carry our own burdens. Do you remembers when Jesus was forced to carry his cross down the road to Calvary? He was so overwhelmed by the weight and burden of the cross, that he could not longer carry it. A man by the name of Simon lent his shoulder to Jesus and helped him to carry his cross.

Jesus, the Son of God - God in the flesh - needed a friend to help carry his cross.

There is nothing wrong with getting help. Seek the advice of your pastor (unless he's the kind of guy that just labels everything as a demon - in that case find a new church.) Your pastor can pray for you. Often times, anxiety is a sickness - Jesus is famous for healing the sick. God can use the prayer of your pastor to bring you healing.

You can also talk to a counselor. In the community that I come from, talking to a therapist is somewhat taboo. Who cares - get help. For years, I led an organization that provided counseling services to at-risk youth. Every day, I saw youth who struggled with anxiety find freedom.

And finally - consider consulting a doctor. I said what I said. In the community that I come from, even more taboo than seeing a therapist is seeing a doctor for medical advice or possibly a prescription for anti-anxiety medication. Who cares - get help.

You know what is demonic? Discouraging someone from getting help.

Get Inspired.

Anxiety can make you feel broken or incomplete. It is God's design and desire for your life that you would be whole. If you need someone to talk to, or if you want to be prayed for, reach out to us.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Jesus

#anxiety #depression #mentalhealth #spirituality