Hi Misti. I know how you feel. Even though God has not given us the spirit of fear, some of us have it and need prayer and help to work through it. I'm trying to become free from anxiety also. You are in my prayers.

Ann

Misti,

I will be praying for you. I know anxiety is not easy. I have never been diagnosed with it. I have had my periods of anxiety though. In another group that I belong to; this subject came up and others were speaking of different verses on peace. One person particular was asking for more detail in how to deal with it. I had given her these scriptures from Apostle Paul who spoke to us about anxiety in a few verses. I am not saying he was teaching on the anxiety disorder. I am sharing what he said about anxiety in general. Maybe these verses and the way they are broken down may help you. I know they help me.


These are the verses what Apostle Paul says to do about anxiety and then we will go step by step in what we are suppose to do Philippians 4: 6-9

New King James
6 a. Be anxious for nothing,
b. but in everything by prayer and supplication,
c. with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God

7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 d. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,
e. whatever things are noble,
f. whatever things are just,
g. whatever things are pure,
h. whatever things are lovely,
i. whatever things are of good report,
j. if there is any virtue and
k. if there is anything praiseworthy--
l. meditate on these things.

9 A. The things which you learned and
B. received and
C. heard and saw in me,
D. these do, and
E. the God of peace will be with you


I broke it down in what Paul tells us to do, but what is he really saying... I used New King James because I really don't want to offend anyone here in the translation of the word of God.. But really now, what do some of theses sentences and words mean. We really need to break down the word of God to really understand what they says. So here is another way these verses have been said and it really will help us even more...

6 A. Don't fret or worry.
B. Instead of worrying, pray.
C. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers,
D. letting God know your concerns.

7 Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

8 E. Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by

1. filling your minds and
2. meditating on things
a. true,
b. noble,
c. reputable,
d. authentic,
e. compelling,
f. gracious -
g. the best, not the worst;
h. the beautiful, not the ugly;
i. things to praise, not things to curse.

9 A. Put into practice what you learned from me,
1. what you heard and
2. saw and
3. realized.

B. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.



You see I did it in report format, which really breaks it down for us in all that Apostle Paul is telling us to do. After we pray according to verse 6 he tells us how to pray.. then in verse 7 he tells us what The Spirit of God should do for us. and then in verse 8 we are told what our thought life should be on instead of anxiety (which is picking up our worries off the throne). In meditating and filling our minds on these things again Paul tell us what God will do, He will put us into harmony in Spirit.



This is all about Roman 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God



The world, society the news channels and all other TV talk shows want us to think the way they do. But we really need to have a Mind of Christ.

What a great post, HopeNHim! I too have anxiety flareups @times, like whenever I am under stress @home as caretaker for a man that can't ever work again- our lives hang in balance if he ever loses SSD income- I can't work or it all disappears for his medical expenses! This is a real test of faith for me, that God will sustain us now & in the future... Jesus said it doesn't add one minute to your life if you worry...so I try to be anxious for nothing- trust in Him to sustain us... that's the main thing I believe God asks us to do, right? :)

I have anxiety at various times. I tried anti-anxiety meds, which just made it worse. I have really prayed about it, and God has shown me a lot of things. Like He is in control, so why am I so worried? He also pointed out that part of my anxiety stems from perfectionism. Life is not perfect, and I am trying to make it that way, as well as myself. Only God is perfect, and I need to walk with Him, and He will lead and help me overcome.

My mom is the most anxious person I have ever met. She is hysterical about everything. She is 80 years old, totally healthy, has lots of money, and no stress. Why is she anxious, then? I think it is because she has to control things, because she has no faith in God. She also watches the news 6 times a day, and then worries the bad things will happen to her. I have given her scriptures, but it hasn't helped, because she doesn't know Christ. However, she is a great motive to me, not to get old and be like her!

It is a slow battle to overcome anxiety, but I always try and give my worries to God. It is getting easier, and I think I have been about 8 years working on this. I hope you will find some peace and pray that you will find a way to overcome.

Find scriptures that encourage and support you in this. The ones someone mentioned in Philippians are excellent. Confess the ones that contradict the feelings you're having, because God's Word is true and does not lie. Remember we walk by faith, not by sight(feelings). I;m not saying that your feelings aren't real, because I used to have anxiety attacks and panic attacks. What i'm saying is that you can do all things through Christ which strengthens you. The Word is Christ Jesus.