Do you struggle with anxiety? I’m not talking about startling at loud noises at night or a narrow miss while driving home that leaves you shaking with adrenaline. I’m talking about the kind of fear that wakes you up in the middle of the night, your mind racing in circles as you worry about what might happen in the future.
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” declared American president, Franklin D. Roosevelt in his inaugural address. While fear is an important survival tool, fear that keeps you awake at night, worrying over what might happen in the future, can be very debilitating. Anxiety is a combination of fear and worry over future possibilities that often do not come true at all.
If you struggle with anxiety, Yah’s Word reveals how to overcome.
Godly Versus Ungodly Fear
Godly fear is the combination of awe, respect, and love we mortals feel for the infinite being who created us and loves us with an exhaustless love.
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Godly fear is the combination of awe, respect, and love we mortals feel for the infinite being who created us and loves us with an exhaustless love. Godly fear increases our faith. By contrast, ungodly fear decreases our faith and can lead us into a downward spiral of fear that is so great it prevents us from taking proactive steps.
Ungodly fear falls into three categories:
- Fear of people
- Fear of want
- Fear of circumstances
Fear of people can lead to making an idol of them just to keep them happy or to win their approval. Fear of want can lead to compromises with principles to obtain what we think we cannot do without. Fear of circumstances can paralyze us, keeping us from taking necessary proactive steps. None of these fears glorify Yah.
Love the Antidote to Fear
Loving Yahuwah, and knowing that He loves us in return, is the remedy that counteracts fear.
We know and rely on the love [Yahuwah] has for us.
[Yah] is love. Whoever lives in love lives in [Yahuwah], and [Yahuwah] in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Yahushua. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love (1 John 4:16-18).
Love Brings Confidence
Love gives us the confidence to face fear and come off more than conquerors. This is seen in the story of David and Goliath. When Goliath, the Philistine giant, taunted the armies of Israel, “Saul and all Israel … were dismayed and greatly afraid” (1 Samuel 17:11).
Love gives us the confidence to face fear and come off more than conquerors.
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David saw the situation; he understood the danger. But unlike everyone else, he was not afraid and his lack of fear was not due to being good with a slingshot. His confidence was in Yahuwah. When King Saul hesitated to send the youth out to fight, David firmly stated, “Yahuwah who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37).
David and the armies of Israel were both facing the exact same circumstances. However, they interpreted the situation very differently. While the other Israelites were terrified of the giant, David viewed it as a situation in which Yahuwah would act because Goliath was defying the living God. David had no doubt that he would emerge victorious because Yah’s honor was at stake. It was his knowledge of Yahuwah that gave him confidence and courage to face the giant.
Five Steps to Overcoming Anxiety
Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, provides us with five steps to overcoming anxiety:
- Harmonizing relationships
- Prayer
- Gratitude
- Right thoughts
- Right emotions
Harmonizing relationships
If we have a relationship that is out of harmony, we are to do what is in our power to right any wrongs, confess, and repent for our part in what went wrong.
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Friction in interpersonal relationships is a common cause of anxiety. Of course, we cannot control another person, but we can own up to our own part in any contentious relationship. We can choose to apologize and stop whatever has caused offense (repentance). This is what Paul meant when he implored those in a contentious relationship to “be of the same mind in the Lord.” (Philippians 4:2) Harmonious relationships bring peace. If we have a relationship that is out of harmony, we are to do what is in our power to right any wrongs, confess, and repent for our part in what went wrong.
Prayer
A lot of anxiety stems from being afraid of a situation over which we have no control. Paul reminds believers that Yahuwah is ready and waiting to help all who come to Him. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to [Yahuwah]; and the peace of [Yahuwah], which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Yahushua” (Philippians 4:6-7).
When we present our needs, fears, and wants to Yahuwah, we can know that He will act in our best interests. We can then have the calm assurance that everything is and will be as it should be.
Choosing to be grateful in all circumstances is only possible when we trust that Yahuwah is acting in our best interests.
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Gratitude
Choosing to be grateful in all circumstances is only possible when we trust that Yahuwah is acting in our best interests. When we choose to exercise gratitude, we experience peace and calm trust in even the most challenging situations.
Right Thoughts
Anxiety, by definition, is a fear of future possibilities. Philippians 4:8 tells us to focus on what is true. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” When we focus on what is true, there will be no room to fear speculative possibilities.
Right Emotions
Correct habits of thought lead to correct emotions which, in turn, lead to correct decisions and beneficial actions. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Anxiety can be overcome. Shift your perspective. Focus on what is real and true, rather than possibilities. Trust that Yahuwah is working all things out for your good. Choose to make gratitude a habit and Yah’s peace will fill your heart, silencing anxious forebodings of what might never be.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares YAHUWAH, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).
