Arrows: The War on Anxiety
She woke up from her sleep completely overwhelmed. She was nervous and feared the worst. According to her extensive Google research, she was either dealing with cancer or TMJ. Of course, her anxiety allowed her to believe the worst. She was
going to be diagnosed with cancer.
Have you ever felt like her? Have you felt sick or ill and immediately chosen the worst-case scenario? If so, I understand. I have been in the same boat too.
Years ago, I started dealing with some pain post the removal of my tooth. My dentist informed me that since the tooth had been removed, the tightness in my jaw I was feeling was due to my bitewing being off. It also didn’t help that I wasn’t chewing on the right side of my mouth. Believe it or not, I haven’t chewed on that side in a few years. It was initially due to pain, but over time, it became an unknown habit. I was so used to it that I didn’t even think about it. It’s interesting how our bodies create rhythms to avoid or reduce pain, but if not handled correctly, what was intended to be a temporary fix can become worse.
I began to panic. I felt the all too familiar rise of anxiety approaching. It was suffocating. It was heavy. It was intense and completely dangerous. Anything that causes you to forget or dismiss the truth of God’s Word is dangerous.
While at the dentist's office, she said something that I took as a gentle whisper from Heaven. She looked at me and said, “You no longer have the same pain that you once had on the right side of your mouth. You need to retrain your brain to chew on both sides of your mouth. To avoid creating a new type of pain, you need to go back to balancing your chewing on each
side. This will remove the overworking of the left side.
How does this connect?
God is asking us to retrain our brains to trust Him. He is asking us to “chew” on His Word. To balance our right and left sides with prayer and His Word. While it doesn’t mean that we won't have suffering or pain, it does mean that His Word carries us through. It does mean that in his love and protection, we can manage our lives better.
Anxiety is designed to make you feel uncertain. It is the work of Satan. Do not be dismayed. You, my sister, are not alone in this form of attack. You must retrain your brain to flow in God’s word. Romans 12:2 EST says: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what the will of God is, what is good and
acceptable and perfect.”
The Perfect Will of God is not that you live in misery. It is not that you live on edge. It is not that you live in anxiety. Most of us are familiar with Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
As humans, we struggle with different areas. We have different battles and temptations, but God’s Word still reigns true. When you feel anxiety creeping up, pray it away. Speak scripture over it. Speak it until you believe it. When you believe in something, your passion towards it speaks loudly. You have the ability to speak healing over your anxiety. God has plans that you will prosper. You cannot prosper in a stuck place.
7 Ways to Handle Anxiety
Pray and Read the Word of God.
Journal your feelings. When you sense your anxiety approaching, write down what you feel and write a prayer to God to denounce it in Jesus Name.
3. Seek a Christian/licensed therapist. Therapy is a great start for anyone. Working with a therapist allows you to create a game plan specific to you to work out your anxiety.
4. Create a Worship Playlist. Create a list of songs that help you remember who you are in Christ. You are loved and precious to God. He sees you and calls you wonderful. Do you know that it is the love of God that truly dries your tears of sorrow? Your heartache and sadness are His. He will carry that weight for you. Worship your way from worry.
5. Find a book on dealing with anxiety.
Go and visit a garden or take a walk in nature. Sometimes the still moments are helpful to relax. To see a visual expression of God’s creations.
Breathe. Be Kind to yourself. Give yourself time to address and actually process your plan to overcome anxiety. Don’t become discouraged if you slip up. You are human and flawed. Extending yourself grace is necessary through this process.
Anxiety and worry are no match for our Father. You are equipped with knowledge (His Word) and Amour (His Spirit). You are not in the battle alone. God will win. He wins every time. You are on the Battlefield. You just have to trust Him enough to suit up. He will fight for you.
