“Every moment is a fresh beginning.” T.S.Elliot. This can be a very encouraging statement which would do us all good to follow and we can apply to every difficult situation we encounter. Stress and anxiety appear on the job, an uncorporative child, sickness and death in a family. We are all are susceptible and have a tendency to cave in to the chaos it can create. When we look to God’s Word there are many scriptures to uplift our heart. Listed below are 11 favorites to guard your heart and help in overcoming anxiety.
Knowing Suffering is Expected Can Help in Overcoming Anxiety
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perservance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4 NIV
In the scripture above, not only can we anticipate different kinds of suffering but we should allow it to finish building us into what God wants us to be. That seems difficult when we are in the middle of the storm. It can encourage us though, as what we are going through has happened to others and there is a way out.
Praying to God Helps in Overcoming Anxiety
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Forming a habit of reaching out to God when we become anxious sometimes is hard to remember. We get tangled up in the circumstances, and might even think we can take care of it. Strange how we fail to do a very simple task which helps overcome our anxiety. An important part of this verse which we often forget is as we are asking God for help in our anxiety we forget to thank Him. Yes, we should do that even before our petition is answered.
Reading God’s Word is helpful in Relieving Anxiety
“Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight.” Psalm 119:143 NIV
David is burdened here and seeking relief from God. In the previous verses, Psalm 119:137-142 we see a more complete picture where David is frustrated because God hasn’t answered him yet. In spite of his feelings, he knows God is there and reading His Word restores his faith.
Keeping the Faith Can Help Relieve Anxiety
"Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV
Paul is addressing the Corinthians as new Christians and is applicable to us today. He is telling them to be careful, strong and firm in their faith as they witness to the world and live for Christ Jesus. Thinking on our responsibilities to Jesus can encourage and strenthen us when we are down. Depending on Him transferes our stress to His shoulders and helps in overcoming anxiety.
Giving God Our Cares Help Defeat Anxiousness
“Casting all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
According to Verse by Verse Commentary, “Casting” means to throw upon and thus to deposit with. Secular Greek used “casting” for a man who carried a heavy burden and threw it upon a camel’s back. “Casting” carries the idea of throw. It means to roll upon. God wants us to roll our burdens upon Him. God wants us to have a target to which we direct our anxiety. That target is God Himself.”
How wonderful it is to have a God that wants us to give Him our burdens? We are not capable of carrying it ourselves and certainly not when we are overcome with anxiety.
God’s Strength Helps Defeat Worry
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength they will fly up on wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary." Isaiah 40:31
This is one of my favorites. Knowing God gives us strength when we feel defeated and can rely on Him to bring us back to peace. When we are weak in ourselves is when His strength shines through. What a powerful verse to ponder in our anxiety. Our God is Mighty.
God’s Rest Helps in Overcoming Anxiety
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 NIV
What a great word “rest” is in our turbulent world that we live in today. Most of us are working from one thing to another. Trying to keep up with jobs, housework and children, all fighting for attention, can cause priorities to become confused. Giving it all to God helps us to put everything into perspective. Let the Lord remove the anxiety by giving it to Him. Sound simple? It is.
Encouraging Words Help in Defeating Anxiousness
“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” Provervs 12:25 NIV
As a friend, there is nothing better than words of comfort to someone suffering in anxiety. There is also another way to look at this verse. When we are distressed it can be soothing to speak kindly to ourselves and to others. Taking a big breath and slowing our speech can help take the temperature of the moment down a notch. I know this can be difficult, but it does help.
The Peace of God Helps in Anxiety
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV
We forget sometimes that the Word of God is more than type. These words have power.
“For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV
God’s peace is unlike anything we have experienced in this world. Thank goodness. I would hate to rely on the world’s version of peace. As the verse above says, God’s Word is POWERFUL. We need to remember who it is we trust in and His Words are true and reliable. If you want peace in your live, give your all to the Lord.
God’s Consolation Brings Joy in Anxiety
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” Psalm 94:19 NIV
The writer of Psalm 94 is not known, could have been David but they are not sure. Whoever the author, he understood how consuming anxiety can be. In contrast he also knew who to go to in his distress. These are real people and their record carries weight because they are like you and I. We are vunerable and need someone to pull us out of the mire. Not only does he help in our anxiety but He restores our joy.
Trusting God Can Help in Overcoming Anxiety
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3: 5-6 NIV
All of the points in this post are components of trust. Seeing them broken down can help us to discern more clearly that God does all of these things for us and only asks us to depend on Him. We need to let Him help us in overcoming our anxieties and allowing His peace to reign in our hearts. I hope you will accept a challenge, along with me, to rest in God’s promises and continue to read these scriptures in times of stress.
Bibliography
Richison,Grant | Feb 1, 1998 | https://versebyversecommentary.com/1998/02/01/1-peter-57/
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