What Does God’s Word Say About Anxiety?
Here’s the good stuff now. God’s Word tells us not be worrying ourselves about anything (Anything?!) but to trust our troubles to God in prayer. It also says that when we do that, God will guard our hearts and minds from the attacks of the enemy.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
God’s Word also says that when we’re overwhelmed with anxiety, God will comfort us and He empathizes with us in our pain. It’s not that He gives us crazy irrational joy when we’re going through hard times (although He could totally do that) it’s that He’s there with us. When we’re sitting in bed late at night, crying our hearts out in fear of the future- Jesus is there. He’s got us all wrapped up in warm heavenly hugs. When we open our eyes and see that He’s there it’ll bring us joy in tough times because we’ll know we aren’t alone.
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” -Psalm 94:19 (NIV)
Click to Tweet: Did you know the Bible talks about anxiety? Read more on this epic blog post!
The Bible also tells us to be respectfully submissive to God when we’re feeling anxious. I personally believe that anxiety is like a terrorist attack from the enemy on our minds. We know it can happen but then it hits out of nowhere and causes total fear and chaos. It’s difficult to take time to be quiet before the Lord with all the explosions going on in our heads, which is why the Apostle Peter made sure to remind us to submit ourselves to God.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
I want to point out something about the verse above; The word “exalt” means to hold something in high regard, think or speak highly of, raise to a position of higher power, make noble in character or dignify [Source].
If we look at the verse again, what does it mean to you?
Here it is again from the Amplified version:
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time, casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].”
How Should We Handle Anxiety About a Loved One’s Addiction?
I haven’t met any friends or family members of addicts yet who haven’t also suffered from some type of residual or pre-existing anxiety, amplified, x1000. Addiction and anxiety are two peas in a pod. Anxiety surrounding a loved one’s addiction is overwhelming, all-consuming, fearful, traumatic, intense and long-suffering.
I speak from experience.
