Anxiety has become an epidemic in our world today. According to psychologist Robert Leahy, the average high school student has the same measure of anxiety as a 1950s psychiatric patient. A lot of it can be blamed on our environment. Many things about the way people live have changed a lot in the last 200 years. However, even though this has helped us immensely as a society, it has also hurt us.
Having access to all the worlds woes on the news can make you a riddled mess. Access to medical information on search engines can turn you into a hypochondriac. Competing for a promotion at work can make you, as they say, a dull boy. There are plenty of things real and imagined that you can worry about. It doesn't take much effort at all.
Scripture tells us to not worry, to not lean on our own understanding, and to cast our cares on Jesus. This isn't easy to do on our own. For a lot of people anxiety can go far beyond the jitters over a pop quiz. It can feel at times as if the fires and horrors of hell descend upon you. You feel as if you're dangling on the edge of death itself.
Worry no matter how how big or small must be taken seriously as spiritual warfare. God gives us plenty of good and true promises to cling to and trust in. And we can rely on His promises because He is the Truth. Below are some promises one can apply to their own life to combat anxiety.
”In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?“
Psalms 56:11 NKJV
”Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.“
Psalms 56:3 NKJV
”Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.“
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
”Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”“
Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV
”Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.“
Proverbs 3:5-8 NKJV
God is more than willing to let you lean on Him for all of your cares. So long as you trust and obey Him, He will provide you with His peace that surpasses all understanding. This world will never be without fuel for worry but you can decide if you want to light the match.