5 Truths for Facing Anxiety

Anxiety is defined as “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.” Sadly, the levels of anxiety in our world seem to be at an all-time high, demanding to control our thoughts, minds, and future.

Anxiety is something we all encounter at some point as we anticipate events, even happy ones, in the course of life. God understands we will experience anxious thoughts and gives us loving help and guidance.

5 Peace Bringing Truths for Anxiety:

1. When restless or worried:

“When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul” (Psalm 94:19, NASB).

2. When you have been wronged or fear injustice:

“Say to those with anxious heart, ‘Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; the recompense of God will come, but He will save you’” (Isaiah 35:4, NASB).

3. When hard times come:

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8, NASB).

4. When you fear lack:

“…Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:25-34, ESV).

5. When anxious thoughts tempt you to sin: 

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way” (Psalm 139:23-24).

Consider anxiety as a call to prayer.

With each concern that causes anxiety, worries, or fear, you have a new opportunity to trust God and grow in faith. Consider every single anxious thought a call to prayer. God hears our cries and will exchange anxiety with His peace.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, NASB).