Task 2: Trust Vrs. Anxiety

Struggles with Anxiety

Increasing anxiety in U.S.A., According to The American Psychiatric Association (APA):

“The 2024 results of the American Psychiatric Association’s annual mental health poll show that U.S. adults are feeling increasingly anxious. In 2024, 43% of adults say they feel more anxious than they did the previous year, up from 37% in 2023 and 32% in 2022. Adults are particularly anxious about current events (70%) — especially the economy (77%), the 2024 U.S. election (73%), and gun violence (69%).”

Source:

https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/news-releases/annual-poll-adults-express-increasing-anxiousness

As someone who battles anxiety, I encourage you to consult with a medical professional to rule out underlying physical ailments. Sharing scripture and quotes to encourage you in the spiritual aspect of anxiety.

Anxiety has physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects. It’s important to view anxiety from a unified perspective. Professionals can address the physical and emotional components. Trauma, unresolved conflicts, grief, etc. often are behind the daily anxieties that we experience. Getting to the “root” of your anxiety helps to heal and grow!

Shame, Guilt, and Anxiety Cycles

Shame and guilt increases anxiety. Mark DeJesus uses the term “spinning out” to describe the cycles of shame, guilt, and anxiety.

Spiraling in Overwhelming Anxiety, Religious OCD and Pain

Focal Passage

Philippians 4:4-7 Berean Standard Bible

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near.

6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

God calls us to find our peace in Him and turn our anxieties over to Him! Jon Bloom shares this insight with us:

With this authority (Jesus’ victory over death), he says to everyone who believes in him, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life” (Luke 12:22).

Jesus — and all the promises that are now Yes in him (2 Corinthians 1:20) — is the antidote to anxiety.

What he accomplishes for us and promises to us is the ultimate triumph over all that terrifies us.

Source: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/talk-to-god-about-your-anxiety

Truth and Commands

Paul commands us to rejoice always! He exhorts us to be gentle with others and remember that the Lord is near. Others notice the gentleness and peace of someone who rests in God. Prayer and spending time in God’s presence helps us to stay focused on Him. We can pour out our requests and intercede for others in His presence.

Consider that God doesn’t promise us an escape from difficulties in this journey!

He does not promise us escape from misery in this world.

He promises that he will redeem every misery (Romans 8:28), and that in him we will overcome the worst the world can do to us (John 16:33; Romans 8:35–39).

Source: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/talk-to-god-about-your-anxiety

Take your anxieties to Christ! Tell Him what is worrying you, causing you to doubt. We need to remember that all things are possible with Him! It’s our shame that keeps us away from the One who truly cares for us the most.

Faith calls us to trust and turn to Him knowing that He faithfully hears us and works all things for our best. Trusting in God is a growing process. God knows all things including our present difficulties, uncertainties, and areas we struggle. He is merciful and compassionate!