Find Freedom from Anxiety – Part 2

Five steps to freedom from anxiety are found in Philippians:

1. Acknowledge the anxiety

The first step is acknowledging we have it. God does, not to condemn, but because he understands and wants to help. Anxiety can be debilitating. Acknowledge if you are struggling, but don’t judge yourself as this creates more distress. If it weren’t an everyday issue, it wouldn’t be in the Bible. If God can acknowledge it, we can too.

2. Acknowledge God is near, even when anxious

Philippians begins talking about anxiety with: ‘The Lord is near.’ Our anxieties do not push God away and cause him to hang out with people with more faith. In Matthew, Jesus said he will be with us always. His friends got anxious. In John, Jesus told them he would not be around much longer but, ‘Let not your heart be troubled.’ If you are anxious, pray: ‘God, thank you that you’re near.’ He is present through the Holy Spirit.

3. Invite God into the situation

Philippians says, ‘in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.’ God wants us to involve him. We think: ‘God wouldn’t care about that.’ He thinks: ‘You can pray about that because I do care!’ He tells us to cast all our anxieties on him because he cares for us. 

4. Catch your thoughts and challenge them with truth 

Anxious thoughts generally are not true. ‘You can’t do this.’ ‘This will end bad.’ ‘Nobody likes you.’ Learn to catch and challenge those thoughts with truth. Jesus tells us to abide in his word and we will know the truth. Bank tellers can tell a fake note in a bundle. By studying Bible truth, you can catch toxic thoughts and reject them. Instead, think true, noble, right and pure thoughts. Thank God and experience peace.

5. Practice simple things you know to do

Anxiety can interfere with our daily functioning. The simplest way to break fear paralysis is doing something. Jesus said, ‘Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me – put it into practice.’ Managing physical symptoms may be as simple as exercising or relaxing, making that call, starting that project or going to that social occasion. Reading the Bible daily, attending church and renewing our brain to think God’s way are life giving. Anxiety takes a step back and you take another step into freedom.

Summing up, Jesus says we will have trouble and peace at the same time. God doesn’t always fix it all immediately. My anxieties and troubles might not disappear straight away, but he does give me peace – and that causes me to take heart!