FEAR AND ANXIETY

Fear & Anxiety 

1. *Fear is a Hindrance*

Fear and anxiety are themes we find quite common in the Bible. I suppose this might be because our human nature is often prone to both when things are uncertain and our view is not in the right place. Unless trained otherwise, our default can often be to fear or be anxious. 

All of our sins are rooted in fear. For example, a fear of not being good enough can manifest in the need for recognition, thus igniting pride and advancement in our heart. Or the fear of not being accepted can create a desire to please people. Whatever your struggle, there is a connection to a deep seeded fear. And with that fear, with that struggle, is an obstacle in your life. 

Fear is a hindrance to the enjoyment of life. When you allow fear and anxiety to take shape in your life, you’re allowing something to hinder the fullness in your life. It paralyzes you, immobilizes you, causes you to question moving forward. 

If you’re living in fear and anxiety today, or might be prone to go there, fully submerge yourself into this plan and into the scripture explored. Prepare yourself to face your past and the fears you pushed back into the corners of your soul so that you can be an overcomer by the power of Christ! You don’t have to live there, nor is it what God has for you, so commit to a new way of life today. 

We’re going to explore how fear and anxiety can hold you back and keep you from experiencing all God has for you, as well as what the Bible says in overcoming it. Today, take stock of the fears in your life and how they connect to the struggles you face, and let’s do this! 

So, why should you care? Because God cares. And because people matter. But so do you and it’s the heart of this article to give you tools that will encourage you to pour into others when you feel empty. Over these seven days, we’ll explore the struggles of giving when you’re tapped out, some practical advice in pouring out, and a promise from God to those who do.

2 Timothy 1:7Amplified Bible (AMP)

7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].

2. *A Distorted Perspective*

Not only is fear a hindrance in your life, but it also places a filter of distorted perspective over your mind. Fear and anxiety produce worry, a false sense of security, and a desire for the things in this world. 

Remember that out of fear you develop a desire for something that is unable to fulfill you? The need for recognition, to please people, for financial stability, the dependence on another--these things become something you crave, perhaps feel you need. In that place, your perspective becomes distorted. Your number one isn’t God, but instead something empty in this world. 

I hope you stopped to take stock of the fears driving your life and the struggles they produce. Now, look at how those fears and struggles affect your view on life. Do they get in the way of what’s best and most healthy for you? 

Mark mentions that worry, false security, and a desire for the things of this world will choke out the word and leave your life unfruitful. Is that the kind of life you want to live? Probably not.

Mark 4:19Amplified Bible (AMP)

19 but the worries and cares of the world [the distractions of this age with its worldly pleasures], and the deceitfulness [and the false security or glamour] of wealth [or fame], and the passionate desires for all the other things creep in and choke out the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

3. *A Proper Perspective* 

Matthew 6:33 is one of two of my favorite verses in the Bible! It makes a mission in life so clear. 

Put God first and everything that you worry about and fear will take care of itself. 

Jesus is illustrating that humans worry about so many fears in our life; worry that is an overflow from our fears. And he shares that if God will take care of the birds and the vegetation, how much more will He attend to your needs? 

I get it--worry comes easy and is hard to fight. But worry can cause so much harm to how God wants to use you. It’s seeps into your relationships, job, and finances, just to name a few. And when it gets in there, distrust and lack of faith takes root. 

Instead of having the distorted perspective, have a proper one! The proper direction for your eyes isn’t on the things of this world and your worries, but on God. When that perspective begins to get distorted, recite this verse and fix your eyes on Jesus. That might mean putting on some worship music, or hitting the ground in prayer, or stepping back from a situation. 

If you can get your eyes on God and focus on Him, all those other elements will fall into place. You cast your care to God and God will take care of everything else. 

Matthew 6:33Amplified Bible (AMP)

33 But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

4. *God Will Sustain*

Have you ever wondered how you were going to get through a season or situation? Especially when fear and anxiety began to set in and play all sorts of mind games. Me too. In fact, if I’m completely transparent with you, I’ve been know to catastrophize. Which means I’ve had a tendency of believing the worst may happen in a particularly hard situation. 

Maybe you can relate? Whether or not you do we all struggle at times, or have struggled with, the distorted perspective we talked about on day 2. 

Isaiah 41:10 speaks to this place of fear. When you might feel fear or be dismayed, remind yourself of what God speaks in this verse--He will strengthen you, help you, and uphold you. The God who controls all things will be there to protect and aid you in your fear. 

In Psalm 55:22, you are encouraged to cast your burden on Him. You’re encouraged to do this because He can handle it; God can handle anything you give Him. Your worries, fear, shame, doubt--none of it’s too much for Him to bear. 

Furthermore, when you do cast it all on Him, He will sustain you. This means in your fear and anxiety, God wants you to know that you can lean on Him. That He will take care of you in the darkest of seasons. 

Will you let Him sustain you? Or will you carry it all alone?

Psalm 55:22Amplified Bible (AMP)

22 

Cast your burden on the Lord [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you;

He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail).

5. *Fear God*

One way to overcome fear and anxiety is to place a healthy fear in the proper place. So far we’ve looked at having a proper perspective, a reminder that God will sustain you, and the cure for anxiety. Today, we look at having a fear of God. 

Just so you know, there is no one like God. In fact, there is no one that even comes close! How can you look at your situation--your fear--and size it up against our almighty God? You can’t. Take that concern and look at it in contrast to His mightiness; you’ll probably start to get a better perspective. 

Having a healthy fear of God--taking into account His mightiness, strength, and ability to overcome anything--is a good thing. It’s not labeling Him unjust or angry and therefore to be feared; it’s about taking into account His character, realizing there is no one else like Him, and that He can overcome what you fear. 

When fear begins to creep up, remind yourself of who God really is and what He is capable of. That should help place your fear in the proper place. I 

For who in the heavens can be compared to the Lord?

Who among the divine beings is like the Lord,

Psalm 89:6-7Amplified Bible (AMP)

6.For who in the heavens can be compared to the Lord?

Who among the divine beings is like the Lord,

7.A God greatly feared and reverently worshiped in the council of the holy [angelic] ones,

And awesome above all those who are around Him?

6. *The Cure to Anxiety*

We’re all looking for a cure to our ailment, are we not. Looking for that “thing” that will bring instant relief to our anxiety or get us out of the season. Cures are hard to come by but we do find one for anxiety in Luke 12. 

In this passage, Jesus is sharing with his disciples on the topic of anxiety. He references the birds and the grass--God takes care of them. And if God takes care of them, how much more will He take care of you! 

Worry and anxiety don’t add any value and only rob today of it’s value. In fact, Jesus says he knows what you need. God knows you need that job, or reconciliation after that fight, or finances for that bill. Yes, indeed pray for what you need but don’t let the worry of what might happen drive you to a place of distraction. 

Instead, fix your eyes on the Father and He will take care of all of these things. 

So, what’s the cure? 

1. Remember that God already has your needs in mind. (v. 30) 

2. Set your focus on Him. (v. 31) 

3. Store up your treasures in Heaven. (v. 33) 

At the core of this cure is keeping Christ at the center! 

Luke 12:22-34Amplified Bible (AMP)

22 Jesus said to His disciples, “For this reason I tell you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; or about your body, as to what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the crop]; they have no storehouse or barn, and yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by worrying can add one hour to his life’s span? 26 So if you are not even able to do a very little thing [such as that], why are you worried about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies and wildflowers, how they grow [in the open field]. They neither labor nor spin [wool to make clothing]; yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like one of these. 28 But if this is how God clothes the grass which is in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You of little faith! 29 So as for you, do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink; nor have an anxious and unsettled mind. 30 For all the [pagan] nations of the world greedily seek these things; and your [heavenly] Father [already] knows that you need them. 31 But [strive for and actively] seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 Do not be afraid and anxious, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

33 “Sell your possessions (show compassion) and give [donations] to the poor. Provide money belts for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing and inexhaustible treasure in the heavens, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

7. *Prayer & Thanksgiving*

Prayer and thanksgiving are always a good remedy! In Philippians, we are called not to be anxious but to access God with our requests through prayer and thanksgiving. 

If you’re feeling any amount of anxiety, train yourself to turn to praise. Praise begins to shift your perspective and set your heart on a healthy place. How can fear and anxiety thrive in an environment of praise? It can’t! 

As I said initially, fear is a hindrance to the enjoyment of life and I hope that through this article you’ve been able to see how that might happen. It’s hard to fight a natural tendency but if you want to throw off the shackles of fear and anxiety, then fight that tendency with what you have learned in this reading plan. 

Take the distorted perspective fear thrives in and set your eyes on Jesus--the right perspective. Remember that God will sustain you in your difficult season or situation; size up your concern next to the mightiness of our God and see how it shutters in the shadow of His power. Then follow the cure outlined in Luke 12 and turn to praise and thanksgiving. 

You can be set free from fear and anxiety, and now that you have the knowledge and tools to overcome, go to the throne and lean into the Father today. He’s with you in this battle! 

Philippians 4:6-7Amplified Bible (AMP)

6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.