Another Way — Banishing Anxiety Part 4

Another Way     

Another Way     Banishing Anxiety Part 4

by Lydia Floren

Anxiety is a difficult emotion to understand, much less overcome.  In this blog series, we have identified some great questions we can ask ourselves to help dispel our anxiety:

1. What is the matter?
2. What am I afraid of?
3. How am I reacting? Am I fighting or fleeing?

Today, we are going to look at another option we can choose, in response to anxiety, besides fighting or fleeing.  

Another Way

As believers, when we are faced with anxiety or fear, we have a third, much more powerful choice, that shatters this fear-flight-fight cycle. Instead of fighting or fleeing, we can make the choice to focus, and then to stand.  

Focus on Truth

One of the most effective ways of banishing anxiety is to focus on truth. Filling our minds with truth displaces our fear. Here are some truths I tell myself to remember, when I am feeling anxious:  

Remember: 

• Who you are—God’s precious child, one who He dearly loves and cherishes.
• Who God is—present, intelligent, powerful, wise, communicative, protective.
• What is really going on in the world. We are imperfect people, living in an imperfect world. We are called to help others know God’s love, by loving them in our own unique (and often imperfect) way. 

Stand Firm

In Ephesians 6, after Paul said to put on the full armor of God, he didn’t say, “Ok now go out and kill some people.”  Paul said stand your ground. STAND FIRM.  

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place.” Ephesians 6:13-14

The reason we are able to stand–that we aren’t compelled to fight or to flee–is because God is with us, and within us, keeping us safe.  Nothing and no one can touch or change the identity, value, belonging, calling He has given us.   In Isaiah 41:10, God reminds us:

“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

In other words, 

Hey, don’t be scared. I am right here. Don’t go looking around for a place to hide, or for some means of protecting yourself. You don’t have to fight or run.  Just focus on the truth, and stand firm. I am here with you. I will keep you safe. And, I will give you the strength and confidence you need to weather the storm.

 So, next time you are anxious, ask yourself these questions:

1. What’s the matter?
2. What am I afraid of?
3. How am I reacting?
4. What truth can I stand on?

Instead of fighting or fleeing, remember that there is another, and often better way to respond to anxiety. Focus on the truth, and stand firm. You are safe. You are not alone. And you are not on your own.

 

 

Click below to read other posts in this series:

Part 1: “What’s the Matter?”

Part 2: “What Am I Afraid Of?”

Part 3: “Fight or Flight?”

Part 5: “Putting Things in Perspective”

Part 6: “Anxiety from a Doctor’s Perspective”