What to Do When You Feel AnxiousShembull

WTACH YOUR THOUGHTS

One of the most important things to realize if you feel anxious is that it’s coming from your thoughts – what you’re thinking about. And in today’s world, it’s easy to think anxious thoughts! But you can take control, and choose to think on godly things instead of worldly things. 

Second Corinthians 10:5 gives us some instruction how to do that: casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. In other words, stop thinking anxious thoughts, and any thoughts that are contrary (or opposite) to the Word of God and His promises to you. Take those anxious thoughts captive.

The Good News translation says it this way: We pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ. Notice it says we do that! No one can control your own thoughts but you. 

Now, if you’re like me, you might have tried unsuccessfully to stop thinking anxious thoughts. You can’t do it just by saying, “I’m not going to think on that, I’m not going to think on that.” It doesn’t work, right? No – you’re going to have to replace those anxious thoughts with some other kind of thoughts.  

Thankfully, you can do that! The Bible tells you how. Colossians 3 says, Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth (vv. 2,3). In other words, set your mind on God, not on troubles, worries or what the devil is doing. Focus your thoughts on Him and what He has promised you in His Word. Make Him bigger in your mind than the problems. 

Romans 8:6 says, The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Your mind (your thoughts) can go to either to death or life, anxiety or peace. How do you get a mind governed by the Spirit? John 6:63 says that God’s words are spirit and life. The Word is how you displace thoughts of anxiety and fear.