Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand. – Isaiah 41:10 NLT
As a pastor, I counsel a lot of people who suffer from anxiety at different levels. Anxiety occurs when we face an uncertain situation and choose to rely on our own strength rather than God’s strength. Anxiety often dominates our lives when our view of our circumstances becomes larger than our view of God.
The root cause of worry is not a lack of concern, but rather a lack of reliance on faith. It’s really an opportunity to lean into the Gospel of God’s love and grace.
In walking through anxiety with others (and plenty of fears of my own), I’ve learned a few ways to lessen the worry. Here are five steps you can take toward breaking free from the debilitating effects of anxiety:
1. Read and reflect on God’s Word daily. It’s important to replace the lies in our heads (where anxiety breeds) with the truth of God’s Word. When we believe that God’s eternal, unconditional love never changes, we are better able to trust Him, even when we experience intense anxiety.
2. Recognize the root cause of your anxiety. We need to learn to differentiate how we feel from what we know to be true. Normally, anxiety is a symptom of a larger problem. Dig deep and figure out the underlying issue that’s causing you to be anxious.
3. See yourself through God’s eyes. Many times, our anxiety is wrapped up in our self-esteem. When we begin to see ourselves the way God sees us, we’re more confident, which can counter the effects of worry. Remember: You are chosen (John 15:16). You are designed for good works (Ephesians 2:10). You are a victor, not a victim (Romans 8:37).
4. Cast your cares on God in prayer. Every day will bring new opportunities to cast your cares upon Him. Resist the temptation to let your heart and mind be overwhelmed with worry and anxiety. One of the best ways to do this is by replacing worry and anxiety with prayer and thanksgiving. Daily time spent with God provides strength and peace.
5. Rest in God’s promises. Here are a few:
- He supplies all your needs (Philippians 4:19).
- His grace is all you need (2 Corinthians 12:9).
- God is rich in mercy and loves you (Ephesians 2:4).
- God will strengthen and help you (Isaiah 41:10).
Dig Deeper:
- What’s causing the most anxiety in your life right now?
- How can you use the principles above to help you find God’s peace?
