Healing Damaged Emotions: I. Victory Over Anxiety
I. Victory Over Anxiety
KEY PASSAGE: Philippians 4:4-7 | Support: Matthew 6:25-34 | John 14:1, 27 | Acts 18:9-10
I.1. Emotions greatly influence how we live our lives: They are a gift from God, provided so we can enjoy life and relate to others. How we express them determines whether they are beneficial or detrimental. Either we control them, or they control us. Our emotions are good if they are kept in proportion, but when we allow them to control us, we are more likely to harm others and ourselves. Anxiety is the most prominent emotion that people are experiencing today. It’s important to realize that feeling anxious is not a sin, but the Lord doesn’t want us to live in a continual state of dread because of life’s uncertainties. All people encounter situations that cause them to be nervous; sometimes it’s unavoidable. For example, if you heard that your child had been in a car accident, your heart would immediately be filled with worry. That’s a completely natural feeling. However, it’s important to understand what we should do with anxiety and how long we let it control us.
I.2. What is anxiety? In the New Testament, the word anxiety means “to be distracted or pulled apart.” This is the opposite of peace, which means, “to be bound together.” It can also be defined as “dread, apprehension, and uncertainty” and can be caused by past events, present situations, or future possibilities. Sometimes, anxiety is a fear of not being in control. Situations over which we have no control make us feel vulnerable and cause us to worry.
I.3. What are the sources of anxiety? First of all, we must understand that God is not the creator of anxiety and that worry doesn’t fit our identity as followers of Christ. Instead, He commands us to trust the heavenly Father (Matt. 6:25-26). However, when we worry, it’s important to know there are:
I.3.1. Legitimate causes: Some things are just naturally going to create anxiety. For example, if you didn’t study for an exam, you have good reason to feel nervous.
I.3.2. Inappropriate reasons: At other times, our worries are caused when we feel we might not get what we want. It could be some possession we’ve dreamed of having or a relationship we want to keep, even if we know it’s not right.
I.3.2. Unacknowledged issues: When we don’t deal with the cause of our anxiety, it takes up long-term residence within us, causing all sorts of emotional and physical problems. Some people actually give up and live in misery. Once an issue is settled, they’ll find something else to fear and dread, but this is not the way God wants His children to live.
I.4. Why should we avoid anxiety?
I.4.1. It isn’t scriptural: In a single passage of Scripture, Jesus said, “Do not be anxious” three times (Matthew 6:25-34). He explained that it is unnecessary because the Father will provide what we need. As His children, we can trust that He will do what He’s promised. We simply can’t accept a lifestyle of anxiety when Jesus is our Prince of Peace.
I.4.2. Anxiety has a negative effect on every area of our lives because it: –Divides our minds. Apprehension pulls us in two different directions, making it hard to focus on important matters. – Decreases our productivity. Because we are distracted with worry, we can’t give anything else our best efforts. –Affects our personal relationships with others. It’s hard to keep anxieties to ourselves. When we’re filled with fear, we burden people who are around us. – Leads to unwise decisions. Those who are overly concerned about the future are prone to make hasty decisions to stop feeling uncertain. – Steals our joy and peace. It’s impossible for us to be fretful and peaceful at the same time. – Proves to be a terrible waste of time and energy. Uncertainty, frustration, and worry are exhausting and achieve nothing. Also, they hinder us from accomplishing God’s goals for our lives.
I.5. What is the correct way to deal with anxiety? With so much at stake, it’s foolish to give in to anxiety or seek quick, temporary relief. If you never get to the root of the problem, worries will soon move beyond negative emotions and cause many physical problems. The solution can be found in Philippians 4:4-7. Instead of being anxious, you should:
I.5.1. Bring your worries to God: Whatever is troubling you is a matter for prayer. The first step to freedom from anxiety is openly acknowledging your fears and concerns to the Lord.
I.5.2. Come to the Lord with an attitude of thanksgiving: When you’re apprehensive, you may not feel grateful, but when you think about God’s loving involvement in every aspect
of your life, the reasons why you should always praise Him become clear.
I.5.3 Come with a threefold conviction: Remember three important things: First, the Lord loves you unconditionally and wants the best for you. Second, He has the desire and power to help you. Third, He has promised to relieve you of your worries, so you can expect Him to do just that.
I.5.4 Recognize that anxiety is a faith battle: You must believe that God will replace your anxieties with His unfathomable peace when you bring them to Him. If you surrender your concerns into His hands and trust Him to walk with you through the fears and uncertainties, you can have His amazing peace—even if all hell breaks loose around you.
Conclusion: As great as all these promises are, they will not be yours if you give Christ your worries with one hand and take them back with the other. True freedom is only possible when we finally admit that a burden is too heavy to carry. We must completely surrender our apprehensive thoughts to Him because we’ll never be free as long as we hold onto them and focus on what could happen. Many times, I’ve seen people who have been freed from anxiety. It was like a light had been turned on—their smiles came back, and their attitude completely changed. The bondage that darkened their lives for so long was broken, and they were free to live in the joy and peace of Christ. Remember, no one has to live in anxiety; it’s a choice. Freedom and peace await those who are willing to give their worries to God and leave them in His hands.
Victory Over Fear– Dr. Charles Stanley