Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure. There are times when we have to find a way to the feet of our Father and just lay there. One such time is when we have an anxious Mind and depression begins to set in. It’s important to quickly recognize when we are spiraling down a dark hole. It’s also important to recognize it for what it is.
Anxiety is an insidious emotion that can quickly rob us of reason and drag us into a state of nervous anticipating. This is when we must go to our Father in prayer. Psalm 61:2 When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I. This Psalm is attributed to King David, a man who faced many moments when he had reason to have an anxious Mind.
In Psalm 43 we read, Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
We go to our God and as He had directed, we cast our cares on Him, because His yoke is easy and His burden is light. (Matt. 11:28)
Our Father knows that we cannot bear some burdens alone. When we bring the cares that overwhelm us to Him, He will bring consolation to our soul. The soul is the seat of this turmoil of emotions and the longer that we wait to bring these emotions under the control of Holy Spirit, the more their effects fester and permeate our Mind . Do not let despair take root in your soul before seeking His help.
Pray
Prayer allows us to come to our Father, confess to Him the anxiety and find peace. Through prayer we can hand over the problems, the worries, the situations and the concerns to someone who is better able to handle it and He doesn’t Mind doing it. In fact, He invites us to do so.
At times we may not know where to begin in prayer. Words fail us. Read the Psalms as your prayer to Him or simply ask Holy Spirit to calm your anxious Mind and sit in his presence in quietness. He hears your every thought.
For the anxious thoughts that may try to resurface, we speak the Word. The bible says, “Take every thought captive and bring it to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). It is we who must be vigilant against these lies that do not align with the truth of God. “Thy word is truth . .” John 17:17 reminds us.
Anything that is in misalignment is a lie from the Father of Lies. We must be vigilant in reining in any wayward thoughts. The Mind is a battlefield and we must be equipped for the war that is taking place there. So, we put on the Helmet of Salvation, that is , the knowledge of who we are in Christ Jesus.
Know Your Identity in Christ
Who are we? We are His children (John 1:12 -13 (NIV)
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
He loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3)
The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
There is none that can pluck us out of His hand (John 10:28)
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
You Are Greatly Loved by Your Father
He loves us so much that he endured the worse that sinful man could do to him, all for your sake (Heb. 12:2)
“looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”
He never leaves us nor forsake us.
Deuteronomy 31:8: “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”.
Every place that you put your foot, or what ever may come against you, you are protected. The Lord is your Shepherd . .
Psalm 23:1–64 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Be confident in Your Identity
You are His prized possession, (James 1:18 NLT.)
He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
The apple of His eye – Psalm 17:8:
“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings”.
He will contend with those who contend with you (Isaiah 49:25):
“For thus says the Lord: “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken, and the prey of the tyrant be rescued, for I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children”) because the battle is not yours, it is the Lord’s (2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV) “Do not be afraid or discouraged… For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
The measure of God’s love and favour is measureless.
Start documenting or highlighting how the Lord feels about you in your Bible. It is part of your weaponry in the day of battle.
It’s important that we are convinced of the truth of what He says. “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (Numbers 23:19).
Satan does not want us to know these things. He would rather that we think they are just useless words; ancient promises that does not apply to us. Try saying them out loud when the darkness threatens. God has every thing under control, in spite of what we see. We will take our anxious Mind and bathe it in his peace.
And what if the situation persists? We wait.
We hold our position and trust that He is at work and in his time, He’ll bring us out. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint”
While we wait, we pray for grace (God’s divine power within us) to be patient.
Meditate on the Word of God
We also continue to replenish our supply of “bullets” for the enemy. We continue to read the word, committing to memory whatever Holy Spirit brings to our attention. It may be a word; or maybe a thought. It could be a verse of scripture which we commit to memory, and ponder in our hearts.
Sometimes we may need to remind God of this word. At other times it’s a weapon against the deceiver. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ( Col. 3:16).
Find your quiet place and allow Holy Spirit to minister to your soul. We must cultivate an intimate relationship with Holy Spirit. Too many Christians do not know him, so they miss out on the power that He brings.
We deepen our relationship with Him as we would in any love relationship – invite Him in, talk to Him and He will, before long, begin to communicate with you. Consult with Him. There is a reason Jesus said, I will send you another comforter (John 14:16).
He is Comforter, Teacher, Revealer, and so much more. He desires to be a close and intimate friend, but if you ignore His presence – He’ll remain silent.
Seek out Godly Friends and Fellow Believers
A good friend can be closer that even a brother. A Godly friend who knows how to pray, how to encourage and who has a relationship with the Lord can be a blessing during times of anxiety or distress.
We were never intended to face our journey alone. From the beginning God said, it is not good for man (or woman) to be alone. ( Gen. 2:18). Having a good friend who walks along side us is a precious gift.
Remember. . .
Anxiety often seeps into our lives and reek havoc when we are magnifying a problem or situation that confronts us. We quickly forget who we are and whose we are, and Satan is only too happy to add fuel to that fire. We must be quick to realize what is happening and get the “fire extinguisher”.
Consider the following the next time you feel your foot slipping and the descent is beginning:
- Write out scriptures that offer encouragement on cards and put them on the walls around your home. Every time you pass one, read it out loud.
- Distressing thoughts will come. When they do, reject them. Say out loud, I take every thought captive and bring it to the obedience of Christ.(2 Cor. 10: 5). Then say one of the scriptures to counter your thoughts. For example, The Lord has not given me a spirit of fear . . . (2 Tim 1:7)
- Spend time talking with the Lord throughout the day. Remind Him of His promises e.g. My God shall supply all my needs (Phil 4:19).
Commit to stand on those promises.
A Prayer for Peace and Calm when we experience an anxious Mind
Dear Heavenly Father,
I come before You with a heart that is weighed down by anxiety and worry. The noise of the world, the uncertainties of life, and the weight of my thoughts seem overwhelming, but I know that You are the God who calms the storm and brings peace to troubled hearts.
Lord, Your Word tells me that You give peace that surpasses all understanding, and I ask for that peace to fill my heart right now. Help me to release my fears, my worries, and the endless thoughts that keep me up at night. I choose to trust in Your promises that You will never leave me nor forsake me, and that You are always with me, even in my moments of anxiety.
When I feel overwhelmed, remind me to cast my cares upon You, knowing that You care for me. Teach me to fix my Mind on what is pure, lovely, and true, and to dwell on Your faithfulness and goodness. Calm my anxious heart, and help me to rest in Your presence.
Lord, I ask that You replace my anxiety with Your peace, my fears with Your hope, and my restlessness with Your comfort. Fill me with the assurance that You are in control, and that I do not have to face anything alone. Thank You for being my refuge and strength in times of trouble.
In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen.