Overcoming Anxiety with God’s word

I had a family situation last month, and before I could say, Jack Robinson, I was already in anxiety mode. That mode when you are overthinking what will or will not happen and all the what-ifs start attacking you.

As this went on, I remembered a popular saying of one of my acquaintances, which states, “Life has a way of testing the quality of what you have in you.” And at that moment, I knew my quality test time had come. The situation was a perfect way to test the quality of what I had in me, if it was just mere talk of being victorious in Christ or if I knew how to exercise that victory by taking authority over situations around me.

Typical me would have stayed emotional and anxious instead of praying. But in that situation, the Lord helped me not to mop around but to pray and take authority over what had happened. By His grace, I stepped out of anxious thoughts and focused on praying, declaring God’s word, and taking authority over the situation. And in less than three days, a massive change occurred beyond what I thought.

That situation revealed to me the potency of God’s word in any and every situation and the importance of exercising our authority over any and every issue without entering panic mode. So, in this article, we will examine practical ways to overcome anxiety, individuals who experienced anxiety in scriptures, and scriptures to meditate on to get free from anxiety.

Practical Ways to overcome anxiety

Identify your triggers

The first thing is to identify what makes you feel anxious or triggers anxiety in you. I was having a conversation with the Holy Spirit recently, and He asked me to write whatever makes me feel anxious. I did that, and within minutes, God gave me words regarding each of the things I wrote to ease my heart.

So, identify and write down whatever makes you feel anxious and talk to God about them, then watch him ease your heart.

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Take captive of your thoughts to the obedience of Christ

Anxiety starts from the mind and thoughts. So, to overcome anxiety, you need to take note of your thoughts and take them captive to the obedience of Christ.

Think about what you are thinking about, and don’t just let unwholesome and unhealthy thoughts flow in your mind, not to talk of settling there. Pay attention to your thoughts and rebuke every anxious thought with God’s word of peace.

Fill your mind with God’s word for every situation and meditate on it

There is a scripture for every life situation, anxiety inclusive. To overcome anxiety, you need to start reading and meditating on God’s word regarding peace and declaring them over your life.

You must not let God’s word leave your lips, as you make daily confessions and declarations of peace to calm your heart, align your thoughts to the word of God, and renew your feelings. At the end of this article, you would find many scriptures that you can start reading, meditating on, and declaring to be free from anxiety.

Be thankful in all situations; be full of joy

Anxiety is a thief of peace, however, as a believer, your peace and joy are not dependent on external circumstances. Rather, it is found in God, as the source of your life. To stay ahead of anxiety, find your satisfaction and joy in God. Don’t let anything dampen your joy in God and remain thankful.

Philippians 4:6- Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

When this happens, the devil would try to make you anxious again. But you must guard your heart and insist on remaining joyful and staying in sync with God.

Be in a community of believers who can intercede for and encourage you

Being in a community of believers you can speak to and who can intercede on your behalf is also key to overcoming anxiety. Anxiety can drain one’s strength. So, in such moments, having individuals who can pray for you is key to bringing you out and up.

People who had anxiety in the bible and how they overcame

Martha

One of the people who was anxious in the Bible was Martha. When Jesus came to visit her and Mary, her sister, she was anxious about getting things done to serve Jesus. Whereas, Mary sat with Jesus and listened to Him.

This got Martha upset and she complained to Jesus about how Mary wasn’t helping her out. However, Jesus gave a response that revealed the state of her anxious heart.

Luke 10:38-42 RSV: But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Martha was anxious and this made her start doing unnecessary things, instead of focusing on what was most needed. This is the same way anxiety works today. It takes your focus off God, and places it on your circumstances, causing you to be worried and anxious, instead of simply trusting God.

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David

Many of the Psalms of David revealed that he was a man who experienced a lot of anxiety and worry. In many of his Psalms, he would write about being unable to sleep, being faint in heart, etc.

However, through it all, and at the end of such psalms, he would come back to acknowledge God and trust in his will. This must also be our response to anxiety, no matter what the situation may be.

Psalms 94:19 AMP: When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your comforts delight me.

Psalms 55: 22 ERV: Give your worries to the Lord, and he will care for you. He will never let those who are good be defeated.

Elijah

The great prophet Elijah who called down fire and killed the prophets of Baal also experienced anxiety, and interestingly, this occurred just after the exploits God did through him at Mount Carmel. After the victory over the prophets of Baal and hearing that Jezebel was after his life, he became afraid. This made him run away and to go into the wilderness, where he expressed his fear and anxiety.

1 Kings 19: 4: But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree; and he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am no better than my fathers.”

However, in the midst of this, God provided him bread and water to eat, to gain strength for the journey ahead, which points to God’s comfort to us in periods of anxiety.

Scriptures to meditate on for overcoming anxiety

You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation]. Isaiah 26:3 AMP

And which of you by worrying can add one hour to his life’s span? Luke 12:25 AMP

Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. Philippians 4:8 AMP

Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me. Psalms 23:4 AMP

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. John 14: 1

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1: 9

The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18: 10

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31: 8

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you, in his love he will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17.

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1: 7