Fight back against Anxiety & Depression

When you think about anxiety, what comes to mind?

We are looking at Proverbs 12:25 which tells us “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.”

*Meaning*
anxiety
The feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome

The aimlessness of worrying

Anxiety is the opposite of peace, as when you are anxious you are unsettled and at war with yourself. In most of those moments where you are unsettled, you tend to be double-minded and stressed about what decision to make or what may happen.

Have you ever stopped and thought to yourself; why am I anxious?

Why are you at war with yourself with things you can’t change?

Let’s face it head-on, most of the time we are anxious because of the elements of a situation that is out of our control. So we default to our secular programming and worry about it.

Worrying and anxiety are pointless exercises, once you start to dissect them. What changes when you worry? Do you get a better outcome? Do success and breakthroughs come knocking at your door handing you the prize, dream or goal? My indelible answer is never.

So there is an element in your life that you must wait for the outcome, a breakthrough from God or a response to a question that is out of your hands. What’s your default? My anxiety is overthinking! Anxiety is a seed of fear that grows in the soil of your mind, fertilised by doubt. When you are not sure of your foundation, it grows.

Fear + Overthinking = Anxiety

Thinking is good, but overthinking is dangerous. I must admit there are moments where ‘thinking more’ is practical and progressive to a project. An analysis is a great way to exercise wisdom and dig into the deeper workings of your issue and challenges. However there is a moment when you arrive at the conclusion, and it is out of your hands. This is where we start to overthink and sink into anxiety, our overthinking becomes a snare to our minds when it churns out doubt and fear.

Our Lord Jesus challenged the human mind that is susceptible to anxiety about the mundane and simple things in our life. Luke 12:28-29 ESV “But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.”

This is beautiful as it shows God’s love towards us as he cares and provides for us. Why worry when you don’t control any of these outcomes?

Jesus is showing the absurdity and frivolity of worrying; do not worry, change the disposition of your mind to a new habit by God’s word. To live worry-free as a child of God who knows all your cares are in His hands.

So are you ready to fight back?

You need to hear good words as Proverbs 12:25 says and there is nothing I recommend more than the wonderful word of God. In an age where people spew out secular jibberish and finite wisdom, you can never be sure if this will be the antidote to the mind and soul issue. But my friend; be sure that the word of God is all you need to battle anxiety on each and every attack.

I could not possibly end this without sharing the great and wonderful scripture that is on my bedroom wall when I wake up and swing out of my bed.

Philippians 4:6-7 ESV Do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.

Simple steps to battle anxiety, you must apply this to all levels of anxiety; small or large, important or mundane. They all get the scriptural smackdown.

Train your mind to recognise ALL anxious attacks. When you recognise the attack, pray earnestly and humbly asking God for a breakthrough (be specific to the issue). Be thankful to God now for future answered prayers, because you know He cares for you.

You won’t at times understand how the peace in your soul is active and helping you, but know that it is the peace of Jesus guarding your heart and mind. That’s a promise for God, you can activate it every time you are attacked by anxiety. It is vibrant and effective against future attacks and arrows from Satan.

Repeat and develop the good Godly habit towards a healthy mind in Jesus.