Thursday, October 6, 2022

Give the Worry Up – Mixed Emotions

October 6, 2022/in Bible Study, Week 4

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Anxiety is something that many of us deal with on a daily basis. Some of us handle it better than others. And some of us struggle so terribly with anxiety that the stress is enough to cause a mental breakdown.

I’ve been there more times than I can count. Craig Groeschel writes, “The things we worry about the most are the hints we trust God with the least.”

That rings true on so many levels in my life. I worry about almost everything, but through prayer, I can often keep my anxiety in check and help the worry start to fade.

In the moment, our anxiety can cripple us to the point where we can’t breathe, think straight, or even function the way we normally do. But God is bigger than our biggest anxiety. God knows how to comfort us—after all, he’s known us since before we were even a twinkle in our parents’ eyes. If he can handle our cries of anger when we’re upset and still love us unconditionally, I’m pretty sure he can handle any anxieties we cast upon him and guide us through our worries.

Romans 8:31-32

31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?

Over the years I have learned that to calm my anxiety, I need to take my mind off what’s making me worry and, instead, turn toward God. Anxiety attacks aren’t fun, and I tend to have a “microwave mentality” about them—I want the anxiety to pass quickly. For me, the combination of deep breathing and praying my fears over to God helps it pass sooner.

Philippians 4:6

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

No matter how dark the anxiety and worry become, a light shines at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes we don’t see it right away, but it’s there—and that light is Jesus. So don’t let the darkness of your worries and troubles deceive you. Look for comfort in the light. God wants us to give our worries over to him so that we can live our best life.

As you grow in your faith and learn to seek God’s comfort, he wants you to be of service to others—become that light for others who need to see.

Isaiah 40:1

“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God.

Questions:

What is your biggest worry? Have you given it to God, who tells us not to worry? Do you pray when you become anxious about something?

Next Steps:

Read what the Bible says about worry and anxiety. Share your anxieties with trusted friends, or seek a professional’s advice. A confidante might offer tips to help manage your anxiety.

Prayer:

God, help me to worry less and come to you more. Help me to cast my worries and troubles onto you and aid others who are lost find your light at the end of the tunnel. Help me avoid getting lost in the ways of this world so that I may always follow you and your ways. In Jesus’ name, amen.