Someone who says to you, “You have nothing to fear but fear itself!” has never lived your life. A difficult and sometimes crippling life. A life that is frustrating to your family and friends that see it as illogical, absurd, puzzlingly, and miserable. That life will never reach its full potential, because you have allowed your life to be ruled by obsessive anxiety. You are constantly worried about the “what ifs” and worst-case scenarios, which can be paralyzing. These fears will sap your emotional energy, drain your physical health, and interfere with your spiritual relationship with God. I personally do not understand the great debate if Anxiety is a physical or a spiritual problem, because it is both. There are those with real mental health concerns: Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Certain Phobias, Social Anxiety Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTDS), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). These people need and should seek medical and take their medication. But, there are also those who suffer with some real spiritual concerns: 1. A profound dependence on upon human knowledge, experience, and abilities. 2. Guilt-ridden thoughts from secret sins. 3. Unconfessed sins. 4. No forgiveness for those that have wronged you. All of these will cause you to constantly worrying, which takes a heavy toll upon your social, physical, and spiritual life. These fears will manifest themselves by: keeping you up at night, over or under eating, stressing, and little things easily upsetting you. You and those around become a nervous wreck. People with anxiety issues cannot comprehend how much stress and pain they bring into the life of those they love, because many do not comprehend that they have anxiety issues. They are convinced that everyone else does not worry enough, that if they were more aware they could see the problem or the danger. Fear is a natural and beneficial emotion when used to solve problems, but when you becomes trapped in your fears those worries doom you to a self-destructive life.
The Signs You Need Help with Fear:
Persistent thoughts that you will never solve things
You believe that words have life in them, so are you constantly concerned you may speak misfortune upon yourself
Constantly concerned you may have forgotten something
Regularly second guessing if your actions during an event were responsible enough
Continuously uneasy weather you offended someone
You are frequently nervous, tensed, and on edge
Your fear interrupts, changes, or hinders you in relationships, work, or school
You frequently worry that something bad will happen if things are not done your way (the safe way)
Your reservations cause you to avoid everyday people, situations, or activities (something bad can happen)
You regularly say, “Just because nothing happen this time does not mean that it will not.”
You have an uncomfortable terror that others will discover your secret sin
You have continual thoughts that make it difficult for you to sleep at night
You have the relentless panic that you have lost control of situations, family, friends, or your life.
You constantly second guess what others meant when they said…
You never confident that people like you
Your every ach or pain is a concern, you just know that it is some illness that will kill you
You become angry when others do not take your fears seriously
You know others are against you and are talking behind your back
You frequently feel others are upset with you
You feel vulnerable
You dread and avoid going out
You know better than to trust anyone
How to Overcome Your Fear:
Remember there can be more than one way to do things
Have a plan and goals for your life
Never allow things make you lose focus of your plan or goals
Take some beneficial risks
Enjoy your success learn from your mistakes
Relaxing is a part of life, use it (walking, gardening, hobbies etc.)
Live life, try new things
Seek and stay close with friends
Maintain good sleeping habits
Have an exercise program
Do not isolate yourself from others
Do not try to escape with drugs or alcohol
Have realistic, sensible rules for your life
Avoid negative thoughts about people or situations until they have earned such thoughts
Say three positive things before you say a negative
Avoid negative people and spend your time with positive people
Learn to say- “I do not care, it is not that important.”
Allow stress to challenge you to do better, to be better.
Learn to live a balanced life.
Remember to do the simple things in life, it is the simple things that keeps us focused.
Taking the Fear out of Making Choices
Do not spend too much time on one issue. If it is confusing or time consuming, move on and return to it later.
Do carefully gather all the information possible before making a decision.
Do not leave other things undone just to make one decision.
Do one by one eliminate choices you know are flawed.
Do accept the fact that sometime an educated guess is the only choice. Sometimes there is no good answer.
Do not modify your ethics or morals to ease your stress. They are actually great tools to keep you focused.
Do not worry if you are not 100% confident in your decision, people seldom are.
Do not panic if it seems others have already decided, you stay focused on what is best not what is fast.
What the Bible Says about Anxiety:
Fear not for the LORD is with you. Isiah 41:10 - “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
We overcome fear with prayer and praise. Philippians 4:6 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Fear does not come from God, but power, love, and strength of mind does. 2 Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Romans 8:14 -“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
Do not dwell so much on tomorrow that you are no good use for today. Matthew 6:34 - Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Throw all your concerns upon God, let them be His concerns now. 1 Peter 5:7 - Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
There is nothing you can do about so many things in this life. Matthew 6:27 - Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
Our one true source of help is the LORD. Psalm 121:1-2 - I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.”
God has a plan to help us not hurt us. Jeremiah 29:11 - “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.