03/16/2022
****new blog*****Five Bible Passages to Deal with Anxiety
(And a Bonus Passage to Grow On)
Ancient Passages of Wisdom – Ever Present Help in Times of Trouble
Are you, like me, sometimes waking up in the early hours plagued by anxious thoughts, recurring dreams about the "What Ifs" of life?
Worried about issues from the past, current events, or things yet to come? We have been told that it is not right to worry, to be anxious. Worry can cause all kinds of related medical complications in that mind-body-spirit connection. We are told not to be fearful.
Late-night worries which bring us up from slumber to wakefulness can bring us down. Our U.S. Constitution tells us we have the right to the “pursuit” of happiness. It doesn’t guarantee we will be happy. It is good to hear the importance of “Don’t worry.”
But the problem is the everyday battle for the mind.
Our frantic, sometimes panicked requirements to do seemingly 10 tasks at once, thinking the days are too short and the to-do list is just toooooooo long.
“Help me God, get through this day!”
Why is it, when we worry about being worried, this seems to make the problem of worry worse? (Yes, this is one of the ironies of life. And by the way, “irony” is not the opposite of “wrinkly.”) Worry seems to build on itself, like a small rock that trickles down a mountain and eventually creates an avalanche.
Or it may feel like we are going through our day like we are swimming through the water while on dry land, pushing back against the doubts, the fears, the insecurities, and yes…the worries.
The Bible gives us many great passages to help meditate on and combat the problem of worry. God wants to give us good gifts through God’s word.
The Bible has 66 books of God-inspired wisdom, guidance, and exhortation to help us lead Godly, Holy-Spirit-filled lives when we turn our lives over and ask Jesus Christ to fill that God-shaped hole inside of us.
We zero in from 66 Bible books to start with five scripture references that can help us deal with those anxious thoughts, those fears, those worries:
Dealing with Anxiety:
I can’t count the number of times over the years I have been awakened in the wee hours of ‘O-Dark-Sixty’ by that insidious enemy “Worry.”
Fretting about my tomorrow.
Or looking back to yesterday, feeling like I left some tasks unfinished.
An overactive brain makes me deal with a mental maelstrom of regrets.
Misery, heartbreak, and despair.
Sleep shattered by worries of possible consequences.
Here is a response to that late night/early morning worry.
Find the truth in the consequences of prayer.
I find relief in these passages which help me get back to sleep:
Number 1: Philippians 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
While you fall back to sleep, speak out the passage, like a prayer. That prayer maybe like this:
God, help me not to be anxious about ANYTHING!
Help me to be thankful, to turn these anxious thoughts over to you in prayer. Help me make this plea to you, so you will know my request. God is telling me, “Don’t be anxious. Pray instead!”
The Apostle Paul tells us not to worry or be anxious about anything. God wants to hear our troubles, catch our complaints, heal our hurts. Ease our worries. Paul goes on to tell us the result of turning our worry to worship:
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7.)
Ask God to bring us peace from our worry.
Number 2: Casting All Our Cares.
Here is a second verse to meditate on.
In 1 Peter 5:7 we are told: “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” Not just a little…not just some…cast all your anxiety on Him!
Consider the word picture of this verse: We are told to take off the burden of worry and hand it off to our Savior. It may feel like taking off a heavy full-length winter coat that has the lining soaked with sweat. Feel the weight of this coat bearing you down. Every single coat pocket bulging with packages labeled “Worry,” “Fear,” “Anxiety,” “Despair.” What a relief to cast off that coat of worry and hand it over to Jesus.
These burdens are no longer yours or mine to bear.
(This reminds me of the facetious definition of co-dependence. A co-dependent person is someone who, when driving over a cliff in their own personal Cadillac sees someone else’s life flash in front of their eyes.)
Number 3: God Values:
Matthew 6:25 says: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not your life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”
Jesus goes on to describe how the birds are fed by our Heavenly Father, and how the flowers of the field are arrayed. How much of more value are we than birds and flowers to God? In the center of this passage, a question is asked: “And which of you, by being anxious, can add a single hour to his span of life?” (So true. How does worry contribute to life quality? It certainly doesn’t add to our life quantity.)
Number 4: Finding a Clear Path – Making Your Path Straight.
Ever been hiking and had your compass take you on a wrong trail, only to find yourself stuck in the pucker brush, blackberry vines snagging your clothes? Or Google maps one tick-off bearing, takes you down a potholed dirt road on the other side of King County when you should have been on the west side of I-405, just south of the junction of State Route 522? (Hey folks, is this subliminal advertising for those finding it hard to make it to Cedar Park Counseling Center, or what?)
This next passage helps us look up for Godly understanding. When I trust in myself, I inevitably fail. When I get wrapped up in the worries and cares of life, I can get so entangled, I can’t move. Kind of like getting wrapped up in the bedsheets so I can’t get out of bed.
Here then is ancient proverbial wisdom for present-day us:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6.)
Here is the 5th passage for good measure:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)
Don’t believe the lie - that there is nothing in this life for me now.
Believe the truth: Tomorrow is still ahead of you, and God has plans for you…if you will let Him. Trust in God. God will see you through.
(Okay, so I said there were going to be about five passages to consider. But this sixth and last passage is very real in how it also addresses worry, anxiety, and fear.)
Fear not for I am with you
Isaiah 41:10: So, do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Hear it again: "Fear not, for I am with you." God's promise is to be with us. God promises to abide with us.
Find rest in God's promises. They are true. They are real. And an ever-present help in times of trouble.
--
Gary Bright
MA Counseling, MDiv, LMHCA (Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate)
