Overcoming Fear and Anxiety
Don't worry about things—food, drink and
clothes ... don't be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your
tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.1
It's Monday morning. The weekend is over. The alarm clock beeps loudly and
suddenly you are snapped into the world of reality. First comes the struggle to
get out of bed, then the rush to get to school or work on time, and then comes
the stress of trying to juggle multiple schedules and responsibilities.
Is this how your week starts? And sometimes these pressures only grow as the
week progresses!
We live in a world of ever-increasing stress and worry with school, work, and
family, financial, social, and relational pressures. Not many people are free
from worry of some kind.
Worry and anxiety are major problems in our society. In excessive amounts they
can take years off your life. Some people like to think that things don't
bother them. "No problem," they say, yet they reach for one of numerous
addictions to drown their fears, worries, and anxieties.
However, it isn't possible to deaden inner anxiety. Unresolved, it will reveal
itself in many ways. When we fail to talk about our worries, they often build
up to the point of displaying themselves in destructive behaviors.
Long ago the Bible pointed out that "a relaxed attitude lengthens a man's
life."2 Jesus himself said, "So I tell you, don't worry
about everyday life—whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes.... Don't
worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble
is enough for today."3
And the Apostle Paul wrote, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray
about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If
you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than
the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as
you live in Christ Jesus."4
It's one thing to know about God's peace and another thing to experience it. We
have to be brave enough to leave it all in God’s hands and trust that He is in
control. Will you choose to trust Him today?
Suggested prayer: Dear God, please help me acknowledge my fears, worries and
anxieties, and learn how to leave them at your feet and trust more fully in
You. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus' name, amen.
1. Mathew 6:25 and 34 (NIV).
2. Proverbs 14:30 (NLT).
3. Matthew 6:25 and 34 (NIV).
4. Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT).
Today's Encounter was written by: Crystal B.
All articles on this website are written by
Richard (Dick) Innes unless otherwise stated.