Attacking Anxiety

Have you ever worried or have been anxious about something?

Sure you have.  We have all been anxious about something in our lives.

Let's face it there are plenty of things that could cause us to be anxious.   We can turn on our television and watch the news.  There are certainly many things on the news that could worry us if we let it.  I am not saying we shouldn't be concerned about those things, we should, but worry is a different ballgame.

Worry and Anxiety takes our focus off of the Lord and feeds our fears.   God is bigger and more powerful than our all of our worries and fears put together.   When our focus is on our fears our view of God is small, but when our focus is on our mighty, awesome, powerful God our fears shrink.

There are many times in my life when I allowed fear to control me.   Fear can be a very powerful. 

I remember one time last fall I was driving down I-95 towards Oakfield.  It was dark outside.  I had too much coffee.   I was already feeling a little jittery and nervous before I left.  I was heading to hear Kelly O`Mara sing at the Oakfield Baptist Church.   She is a great singer of Gospel songs and I can tell she loves the Lord Jesus. 

So there I was driving along and I started to feel afraid.   Out of nowhere panic started to rise up in me.  I have had panic attacked before, so I knew what was happening.   My mind started racing.  I was alone in my vehicle and there were no cars on the road.   I felt so alone and afraid.   That short ride from Houlton to Oakfield felt like it was taking for ever I will tell you.

The further I went the more afraid I got.   My heart started pounding and my breathing increased.   I rolled down my window and I started praying.

I said, "Lord,  I know You are with me.  You are my God and You promised never to leave me nor forsake me."   Then a verse came to my mind and it was

Philippians 4:6-7 which says,

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your request to God.  And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

After I had prayed,  I saw the sign for the Oakfield Exit.  I was so relieved.   I was tempted just to go back home,  but I went to the concert and it was great.  I was ok.  I was safe.  I realized I had scared myself and I felt a little foolish and ashamed. 

Sometimes our fears can overwhelm us if we let them.  We must lift our eyes to Jesus our Lord and trust the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer in Christ.

God Bless you.