"The entrance of thy words giveth light (Psalm 119:130)."
Anxiety
Anxiety symptoms vary a lot. Symptoms may include muscle tension, irritability, difficulty concentrating, "growling," pain or tightness in the chest, feelings of restlessness, feeling like you want to "jump out of your skin" and just feeling so nervous that it's painful.
Unlike stress, these feelings—which vary in intensity—seem to "just come out of the blue," are in excess of what can be explained by stress alone, magnify stressful events, are a problem regardless of circumstances and/or are just always present.
Anxiety can be overcome, for the most part. And so can depression. I, the author of this website, know this from personal experience.
Before continuing, I should mention that I have written a separate article on panic attacks.
To benefit from this article, it is necessary to first get saved.
It is suggested that you also read the following articles before continuing:
The material in these articles is fundamental. And necessary information is not repeated in this article.
Before proceeding, it is important to note that sometimes there are physical causes for anxiety. First, have your doctor rule out medical causation (e.g. thyroid). Also, recognize that the use of drugs (legal or illegal), herbal preparations, energy drinks etc. may cause anxiety.
Prescribed psychotropic drugs can also create or exacerbate mental health issues—including anxiety and depression.
Also, while tightness in the chest can be a symptom of anxiety, it can also be indicative of a heart attack. So, a prompt medical evaluation may be imperative.
Toxin exposure can also be an issue. If your job involves, say, working in a furniture factory, discuss this issue with your doctor.
Finally, caffeine. Figure out how this drug affects you. If avoiding coffee, tea, caffeinated soft drinks etc. markedly reduces your anxiety (after a withdrawal period), you should probably avoid caffeine or minimize your intake. This is true of many people. Other people find that caffeine relaxes them. For them, I see no reason to stop drinking coffee.
For some people, when they get older, caffeine affects them differently than when they were younger. Insomnia is of particular concern.
For children and adolescents, refer to the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for caffeine intake.,
Normally, if your doctor is unable to find a physical cause for your anxiety, he will tell you that you have a "chemical imbalance" and prescribe drugs.
There are changes in brain chemistry associated with anxiety. In this sense, there is a "chemical imbalance."
However, these changes in brain chemistry are, themselves, the result of negative thinking, maladaptive behaviors, divine discipline and/or spiritual warfare.
Spiritual warfare is especially of concern.
Medical science does not believe in the existence of demons or take into account the reality of spiritual warfare
Taking psychotropic drugs is usually a really bad idea.
The Bible provides a healthy alternative to drugs and can reduce and—and to a large extent eliminate—anxiety.
Anxiety, except as mentioned earlier, is the combined result of four related factors: negative thinking, maladaptive behaviors, divine discipline and spiritual warfare.
First, negative thinking. Focusing on negatives produces anxiety for three reasons: 1) These conscious thoughts, themselves, can cause anxiety. 2) You are conditioning your subconscious mind to focus on those same negative thoughts 24 hours a day! And your subconscious mind will generate more anxiety as it dwells on these negatives and dutifully tries—unsuccessfully—to solve these problems. 3) Negative thinking results in the creation and strengthening of spiritual footholds.
Second, maladaptive behaviors. You will be unable to avoid negative thinking unless you are assertive, set boundaries, take steps to resolve conflicts and prevent abuse. These items were discussed in my article on Anger Management.
Third, divine discipline. When you received Jesus as your Savior, the Holy Spirit indwelled you. God helps us as we trust & obey. When we are disobedient, the Holy Spirit can punish our emotions directly. He can also simply diminish the amount of help he provides which makes us more vulnerable in terms of spiritual warfare.
Fourth, spiritual warfare. Demons know each of us intimately and will seek to adversely affect our emotions where they perceive we are the most vulnerable. They always have a plan and they never give up. And, if one thing doesn't work, they will try something else.
Spiritual footholds are of particular concern. These footholds give demons the power to create emotional distress. The level of distress—and its timing—vary in accordance with the will and purposes of demonic forces who are empowered by the foothold. Demons are deceivers by nature and will attack you wherever, whenever and however they believe they can do the most damage.
Demonic forces seek to utilize existing footholds, strengthen them and acquire new footholds, whenever possible.
If your anxiety is, for example, largely the result of unforgiveness, Satan will bring up thoughts about people who have wronged you, from time to time, along with emotional distress. The timing and nature of the attack is no accident—Satan has a plan to hurt you.
Each time one of these thoughts come up, the foothold will be either strengthened or weakened depending on your response. If, for example, you make an effort to forgive the person, from your heart—and then think about something else—the foothold will be diminished. If you dwell on the issue and/or nurse your grudge, the foothold will be strengthened.
So, how do you overcome anxiety?
First: Address anger issues.
Unforgiveness is a major cause of anxiety (Matthew 18:21-35). This issue has been discussed, at length, in other articles on this website. I refer you to the following:
Two salient reminders follow:
- I choose to forgive him (her).
- "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." {Philippians 4:13 NASB}
Rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to enable you to forgive others. This is much more effective than trying to forgive in your own strength.
"Also do not take to heart everything people say,
Lest you hear your servant cursing you.
For many times, also, your own heart has known
That even you have cursed others." {Ecclesiastes 7.21-22 NKJV}
Don't take things personally. Otherwise, it will be very difficult, or impossible, for you to forgive other people.
Second, fear and worrying. These certainly cause stress. However, they can also result in a spiritual foothold which causes anxiety. This happens when you dwell on negative circumstances.
Remember:
- " . . . fear involves torment." {1 John 4:18 NKJV}
- "Be anxious for nothing . . ." {Philippians 4:4 NASB}
- "Trust in Him at all times . . ." {Psalm 62:8 NASB}
- ". . . whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right . . . think about these things." {Philippians 4:8 NASB}
- I am strong in the Lord. {Ephesians 6:10}
Fear, like unforgiveness, is always a sin. And these two sins are the cause of most of your anxiety.
The following articles are recommended:
Third: related issues. Recommended articles:
- Dealing With Guilt.
- Dealing With Physical Pain.
- Dealing With Political Stress.
- Dealing With Rejection.
- Overcoming Shame.
- Oversensitivity.
Use Scripture to counter other related issues. Example: I once had a church member come forward for prayer because she was struggling with jealousy. The following Scripture is instructive:
"Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord." {Leviticus 19:18 NIV}
I told her to pray for the person she was jealous of.
Also, whenever you entertain sinful thoughts, or engage in sinful behaviors, don't forget to confess your sins to God. This can diminish or eliminate God's punishment. Anxiety can be a punishment.
Fourth: Some quick reminders:
"Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]" {John 14:27 AMPC}
- Trust God.
- Act like you trust God.
Fear is a sin.
Fear causes anxiety.
Cowering before someone makes it much more difficult to forgive the person. Unforgiveness can result in severe anxiety and depression which can sometimes lead to suicide.
FEAR IS DANGEROUS. Much more dangerous than any possible circumstance.
You are not safe whenever you give in to fear.
Don't give in to fear—ever.
"Trust in Him at all times . . ." {Psalm 62:8 NASB}
Trust and obey.
Of course, do walk wisely.
Fifth: "Be holy, for I am holy." {1 Peter 1:16 NKJV}
Avoid masturbation. And, of course, stay away from pornography.
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." {Proverbs 4:23 NIV}
Sixth: "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." {Romans 12:9 NIV}
Don't entertain wicked thoughts and don't engage in wicked behaviors. These result in anxiety (Proverbs 23:7, 28:1, Isaiah 48:22). They also create an impediment to your prayers being answered (Psalm 66:18).
The following articles are recommended:
Seventh: Disobedience, in general, can cause both temporary and long-term anxiety.
For an example of temporary anxiety, refer to the article entitled Don't Avoid Anyone At Church.
Re. long-term anxiety: persistent sin can result in both anxiety and depression:
"All of us growl like bears, And moan sadly like doves . . ." {Isaiah 59:11 NASB}
You might want to review Isaiah 59:1-13.
When we choose to rebel against God, there will always be consequences, sooner or later.
More information on divine discipline is available in the article entitled God and Discipline.
Eighth: Recognize that creating anxiety in your life is a prime demonic objective. And sometimes demons will be successful. Refer to the series entitled When Satan Gets a Foothold in regard to how to deal with this circumstance.
Another link is below.
Ninth: Some additional comments, in regard to anxiety, follow.
Progress involves a learning progress; don't expect instant results.
Be very cautious about taking supplements for anxiety, insomnia etc. Supplements can sometimes cause serious health problems. Check them out thoroughly before using them. WebMD is a recommended resource. I never found anything that helped much.
You may need to talk with someone about what is troubling you. This can be a friend, relative, pastor or counselor. It can also be at a church support group.
Feelings of restlessness can be a sign that there is an issue that needs to be addressed. You may need to express displeasure about another person's behavior, you may need to take steps to remedy a problem or you may need to get out of an abusive situation.
Feelings of restlessness, in regard to a particular situation, can be a sign from God that you are about to make a mistake. Pray and/or seek out wise counsel if you think this might be the case.
Recognize that any major unresolved problem—something you feel strongly about but are not dealing with—will cause anxiety. Pray and seek wise counsel, if needed—and then address the issue.
Focusing on your anxiety—and fearing that it will never go away—is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Don't spend an excessive amount of time dwelling on your anxiety, or trying to figure out how to get rid of it; this is self-defeating.
Read a chapter of the Bible—every day. This is essential for progress to occur.
I do not believe it is possible to learn to overcome anxiety while you are taking psychotropic medication. Emotional distress is a necessary part of the learning process. How else would you know what's working and what is not?
Read the article on psychotropic drugs for guidance on the issue of taking medication.
It is not realistic to expect that you will come to a place where you never experience any anxiety. Spiritual warfare is a fact of life.
However, you can, in time, learn to largely overcome the anxiety that you are currently experiencing.
Finally, the following are recommended:
- Declarations to Strengthen You.
- Stopping Spiritual Attacks.
- When Satan Gets a Foothold.
- How to Walk in the Spirit.
- How to Cast Out Demons.
- How to Select a Counselor/Therapist.
- A Morning Routine.
By using this website you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.