Overcoming Anxiety
"Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God." -Philippians 4:6
In our world today, anxiety and depression are two of the most common unseen ailments we face. Does God have anything to say about mental health? Can Jesus help us with these struggles? Absolutely!
My husband Justin struggled with intense anxiety and claustrophobia after a medical event where he felt his throat swelling up, making it difficult for him to breathe. Months and years after, he wrestled with debilitating fear that made travel, being in traffic, going to an event or even going to church a huge hurdle to overcome.
One day it kept us from going somewhere and we were both done with it. We went back home and prayed through the anxiety using a three-step process: Confession, renouncing and casting out. It took hours of prayer and getting to the root of the issue. Justin repented for each type of fear he believed was true and we asked Jesus to show us where the fears originated. He discovered several events (one from early in his life) when a root of fear was planted and grew. We asked Jesus where He was in each of these circumstances, and He revealed Himself to Justin.
At this point, I knew fear had no legal right to live in Justin's heart. Don't get me wrong - it's still a battle. The Bible says even Jesus was tempted. (Matthew 4:1-11) But Justin doesn't have debilitating fear anymore, and when he's tempted to believe the lies of fear, he goes back to the Word of God and the truth.
The enemy may tempt us in our weak spots, but once we get rid of the root, (the lie where the stronghold got planted), we close any open doors to the enemy in our lives.
Maya Angelou wrote, "Courage is fear that has said its prayers." Are you resting in God's truth today?
Related resource: When God Becomes Real, by Brian Johnson
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