Are you anxious. . .
about your anxiety?
According to some internet sources, anxiety is on the rise among Americans. Different percentages and facts are reported concerning anxiety—enough to make you worry! Money and finances are listed as the top trigger for anxiety: then the economy, future of our nation, politics, work, health, and social issues among others.
Anxiety is a normal reaction to danger whether real or perceived. Anxiety can get us ready for our “fight” or “flight” reaction to something harmful. We might start sweating, feel our hearts pounding, and have trouble relaxing. Anxiety can be helpful in keeping us safe in the right situation.
However, when anxiety is persistent, unmanageable, harmful to our living our lives, out of control, and overwhelming, it can become an anxiety disorder.
Social media, the “false news,” AI generated fake images and news, undocumented information, and lies persistent all around us can start the drum of anxiety pounding away in our hearts and minds. How do we know what is real? What is true?
What to do?
Anxiety isn’t anything new. It escalates into harm when we focus on the “problem” or “fear” and not God, His character, and His provision and love for us.
In the famous account of Jesus calming the storm when He and the disciples were in a boat on Lake Galilee, we see Jesus taking care of the source of their fear and then asking them “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:40. They focused on the perceived power of the storm they were in and not the Power of Jesus Christ!
So, there we are! When you feel worry rising out of control, combat it with faith remembering what God has done for you previously! See the situation through His eyes! God is faithful!
Jesus taught us not to “be anxious” about what we will “eat,” or “drink”. Or about your body, what you will wear. “—God takes care of “the birds of the air” and we (people) “are of more value than they.” Jesus points out that our worry doesn’t change a thing! So why worry? (Matthew 6:25-32)
We are to “seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
I love the following verse 34: “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Live in the present, live in your active faith in God, and spend energy praying and seeking His Will instead of wasting time and focusing on worrying!
