Don’t be anxious about ANYTHING!

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Phil. 4:6 NIV)

This is rather long this time, but because so many people (including myself) have been affected by anxiety attacks, and because the Bible offers a solution to it, even commanding that we “don’t be anxious about anything”, I’m writing about it.

Anxiety disorders are rampant in North America

According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, approximately 30 percent of the adult population in North America have an anxiety disorder. It’s also become a massive business industry. More than $42 billion a year is spent by those seeking help for anxiety disorders, almost one third of the $148 billion total mental health bill for the U.S. More than $22.84 billion of those costs are associated with the repeated use of healthcare services, as those with anxiety disorders seek relief.

Anxiety defined

Anxiety is an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physical signs (such as tension, sweating, and increased pulse rate), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), defines panic attacks as: A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause.

Anxiety or panic attacks:

According to its basic definition an anxiety or panic attack is an overwhelming fear that affects you mentally, emotionally and irrationally. It is out of control fear. It’s like fear on steroids! Panic becomes a disorder when panic attacks are frequent and interfere with a normal lifestyle — The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), defines panic attacks as: A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause.[1]

My story

I can clearly remember my very first anxiety attack. I was ten-years-old and my twelve-year-old brother and I we’re home alone. We were living with our step father who was away at work. My brother had hot-wired daddy’s pickup and was about to drive it out onto the busy main road. I was afraid that he’d get killed and begged him not to go. But, he pushed me aside and did it anyway. At that moment I became overwhelmed with anxiety. I couldn’t breath and soon collapsed onto the ground. The neighbors found me there and called daddy at work who came home and took me to the hospital. After that, I had frequent panic attacks that came without warning. Over the next three years I was in an out of hospitals as doctors treated me all kinds of ways. Nothing worked. I was never told I could control or stop these attacks.

An unexpected discovery

When I turned 13, I moved to Alaska to live with my mother. I wasn’t there very long until an anxiety attack came on suddenly. My mother didn’t know anything about them and had never seen me have one. She said, “What’s happening to you?” And I replied, “I’m having an attack!” And she stuck her finger in my face and said, “Stop that this instant! You hear me! You aren’t having any of that here! So, Knock it off this instant!” I remember being startled by what she said and I stopped having the attack. This was the first time I ever stopped having an attack! It was a revelation — I could control them! Later on, after I had received Christ, I found a lot of Scriptures about controlling fear. In fact, the Bible says 365 times, not to fear, one for each day of the year!

Understand that fear is NOT from God

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Tim. 1:7 NLT)

Exercise self control which is given to you by the Holy Spirit

“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” (Prov. 25:28 NlT)

”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Gal. 5:22-23)

Do not let your heart be troubled or fearful

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:27)

Cast your anxiety on God (let Him handle it)

“…casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

Do not be anxious for God will strengthen you

“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.'” (Isa. 41:10)

God will deliver you from all your fears

“I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)

Therefore…

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.” (Col. 3:15)

“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.” (Psalm 56:3)

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus…” (Phil 4:7 NASB)