Some studies have shown that approximately 40 million people, which is about 18.1%, of Americans 18 and older alone that are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.  There are many forms of anxiety disorders including but not limited to phobias, panic disorders, PTSD, and generalized anxiety.  Of those 40 million people, 6.3 million have phobias, and there are more than 13 million diagnosed with PTSD.

According to Schacter, Gilbert, and Wegner’s book Psychology: Second Edition generalized anxiety disorder is “characterized by chronic excessive worry accompanied by three or more of the following symptoms: restlessness, fatigue, concentration problems, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance.”  It really does not matter what you read about anxiety and fear, because if you have ever experienced it in any form you know you never want to have it again.  Even though anxiety and fear are actually separate emotions, in the technical since, for the purposes of this article they will be lumped together as one subject, because despite their technical differences the Bible tells us that they have the same cure.  Often people will turn to drugs, alcohol, therapy, and even prescription drugs to lessen symptoms.  Now we need to ask ourselves what God has to say about this common subject.

Two main verses to point out would be “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6) and “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” (1^st Peter 5:7).  Both point out how God wants us to handle anxiety.  The idea in (Philippians 4:6) is “Do not be anxious about, be concerned about, have care, or worry for anything…”  The thought for (1^st Peter 5:7) is “Casting all your (distractions) attention or care upon God, because He loves you and wants the best for you”  Now, when I first read those, I thought, “Yeah what am I supposed to do, just turn my panic attacks, and fear off like a light switch or something?  Funny God how do I do that?”  Thinking about these scriptures reminds us God never asks us to do anything without giving us the tools to accomplish it.

Spending, time seeking God and reading the Bible helps you realize that the answer really is not hard to understand, just hard to implement.  God has told all of us the same thing He wants us to renew our minds (Romans 12:2), the only way to please Him is with faith (Hebrews 11:6), and think on good things (Philippians 4:8).  It sounds simple, but it takes discipline and we all know discipline is hard, but in the end, it is worthwhile.

            So starting out with renewing our minds, what does that entail?  Our minds are predisposed to believe what we hear.  Believing this is not hard when you ask yourself would advertisers spend so much money on advertising if it does not work.  Renewing our minds takes dedication, and yes, some days can be very hard work.  It takes us reading and/or listening to our Bibles even when we do not feel like it.  When we read and/or listen to the Bible and believe what we read and hear, we are actually exchanging our thoughts, feelings, and perceptions for what God says.  Our thoughts, feelings, and perceptions tie into what we see, hear, and feel with our physical bodies, but our spiritual bodies tie into God’s Word.  In the same way we eat food to take care of our physical bodies, we are to read God’s Word because the Word of God is food for our spiritual bodies, and we need it to grow spiritually and gain faith.  Take some time to think about this question, “Can you survive eating food as often as you read your Bible?”

With renewing our minds, we need faith.  Why do we need faith?  (Romans 1:17) tells us “…  The just shall live by faith” so the Bible tells us clearly that if we are, just that is “children of God,” we need to live by faith.  The Bible provides us a method for gaining faith.  (Romans 10:17) tells us “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  Now what does that mean?  As we speak God’s Word from the Bible our faith builds up.  Finding scriptures deal with our circumstances, then speaking out God’s promises and what He has to say about what we are going through is the way to deal with anxiety and fear.  An example would be if you are afraid of something suddenly happening to you, you could read (Psalms 91) aloud.  If you are worried about having enough money at the end of the month for food, or other necessities read (Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 10:29-31, Luke 12:22-32) aloud.  The list goes on and on for any anxiety or fear.

Discovering scriptures for your needs and standing on God’s promises, sounds simple right?  Well, easier said than done, but again that is where discipline comes in.  Finding what you need for your situation may be a challenge, but the real challenge happens when day after day you face your anxiety and instead of saying ‘I’m so anxious over or afraid of [insert anxiety or fear]’ you say ‘Yes, I maybe anxious or afraid, BUT God tells me [read scripture] and He doesn’t lie!!!’  That big BUT cancels out everything before it, so make sure you put it in its place.  Can you see the difference between “God says [scripture], BUT, I’m so anxious or afraid of [insert anxiety or fear]” and “I’m so anxious or afraid, BUT I know what God says [scripture] about what I’m facing and God cannot lie!”

Sticking to what God says is essential to overcoming fear and anxiety!  Not only does faith come by hearing, but the Bible also says, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”  When you are confessing anxiety, fear, and not God’s Word you are actually saying, “I don’t think God cares enough about me to take care of me” or “I don’t think God can overcome my circumstances.”  Remember the enemy is a sore loser and he will not give up without a fight.  The enemy will whisper things in your ear that make you become anxious or afraid so use God’s Word as a weapon against him.  That is how Jesus won by speaking God’s Word “It is written…”

To add to your arsenal of fear and anxiety conquering methods would be (Philippians 4:8) read it, memorize it, and when a thought comes through your mind take time to ask yourself does it line up with what I’m supposed to think about?  If not, most likely it is an attack trying to distract you and shift your focus off God, and His Word.  Always be on guard because this is war (Ephesians 6:12, 1^st Peter 5:8) and the enemy does not pull his punches he is out to destroy you if you will let him.  Just keep in mind (Isaiah 26:3), and trust God’s promise to you!

Finally, thank God, worship Him, and praise Him.  As odd as it might sound, a thankful and worshipful attitude even during trails and troubles goes a long ways for victory.  We all know God wants us to be thankful, but (Psalms 100:4) among other scriptures tells us why “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”  When you are thankful, you enter into His gates and into His presence.  There are so many more scriptures, but if you are truly battling anxiety and fear the way to find victory, is search the Word, read the Word, soak in the Word, immerse yourself in the Word, and study the Word for yourself.  Remember this acronym for FEAR – Forget Everything And Run.  Now think of this one for FAITH – Forwarding All Issues To Him what one will you chose, which one do you think will give you peace?  Here are some scriptures included to get you started, but please do not be satisfied with only the ones here, it is the world’s best treasure hunt, go out and hunt for yourself!  Your victory is on the line!

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee wheresoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9)

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalms 46:1)

“As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. 17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. 18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.“ (Psalms 55:16-18)

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)

“The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him” (Nahum 1:7)

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)