"Bid my anxious fears subside!"

Fear, not the 'you scared me half to death' kind of fear, but the gnawing anxiety that drives sleep away and creates a dread of tomorrow is something most of us experience. Sometimes anxiety is focused around a specific issue: something such as getting on an airplane or having a medical procedure done. A worse form of anxiety is a general fear of life, about things that we cannot control like aging, the economy, or environmental issues. The worst anxiety is that which is not connected, at least in any discernable way, to specific situations, and thus is much more resistant to relief. That kind of anxiety drives people to despair, into depression, and frequently is a cause of self-destructive behaviors- overeating, alcohol abuse, sexual promiscuity among them.

Defeating anxiety includes becoming whole spiritually!
What can we do to chase away the terror?

First, accept your status as God's child. We are not orphans, scrabbling to deal with life, defensive and alone. The Bible says, "you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God’s very own children, adopted into his family—calling him “Father, dear Father.” (Romans 8:15, NLT) When we turn to Christ, in faith, and receive His gift of gracious love and forgiveness, God adopts us as His sons and daughters. Because of Jesus, we are loved. That truth is so healing, the Enemy of God and good does everything he is able to do to keep us from believing and receiving it. He attempts to keep us focused on our failures, hearing only the voices of our critics, seeing only the sorry and sad side of life. That is why when anxiety creeps up on us, we need to turn to the Word and to worship, praising God for His love. And, we need to personalize that love! "God loves me!" When we accept that, John tells us that "perfect love drives out fear!"

Second, talk about your anxiety with your Father. Fear grows in the dark! When we hide our dread and attempt to be big and brave, the ache of terror takes hold deep inside of us. So the wisdom of the Word is "Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns." (Philippians 4:6, The Message) When your anxious, tell the Lord about it. Find a Believer and let her pray with and for you. Make sure you connect with a person of authentic faith, not somebody whose experience of God is full of platitudes! We need brothers and sisters in the faith who know how to weep with us, and then having met us at the point of our need, can lift us up with sincere prayer into the Throne Room of God. This is one of the reasons that no Christian should attempt to live the Christian life alone. We need to provide cover for one another.

Third, evaluate the situation in ultimate terms. By that, I mean, take your fear and ask - What is the worst that could happen? What are my resources to deal with this? The Psalmist asks, "in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Psalm 56:11, NIV) Again, this can be a solo exercise, but it is much more effective when there is a trusted friend who will listen, encourage, and keep your perspective on life in balance.

Fourth - do what's right! Pain, especially the emotional kind, makes us desperate for relief, doesn't it? If we feel trapped, we are more likely to try extreme measures to escape. When anxiety comes and threatens to move in and stay, we are tempted by things that offer us a quick release. Tragically, usually what gives short-term relief, produces long-term destruction. And so, we must tell ourselves to do the right thing- often, just because it is the right thing to do! Once again, the value of counselors and friends comes into play. When we share our temptations, they become less attractive. When we tell someone that we want to spend too much, quit our job, or have an affair - the very telling can help us to see the folly of the proposed 'solution' to our problem. Remember, you and I are not the victims of our temptations. As Believers, we are privileged to grab onto God's promise that He 'will never leave us nor forsake us.' And, He has promised to make a way for us to stand up in times of temptation. So, do what's right!

Are you anxious today? Don't let fear swallow you and destroy this day.
Take the offense and engage that anxiety with the steps outlined above. Pray for and accept the confidence of faith in God and live in it.
_______________________

Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty,
Hold me with Thy pow'rful hand.
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more;
Feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
Be Thou still my strength and shield;
Be Thou still my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Bear me thro' the swelling current,
Land me safe on Canaan's side.
Songs and praises, songs and praises,
I will ever give to Thee;
I will ever give to Thee.

Williams, William / Fosdick, Harry E. / Hughes, John / William, Peter
© Public Domain