Date:
August 27, 2024Four Ways to Deal With Fear
Chuck Swindoll has four simple words of advice for dealing with fear and they all have to do with choosing to trust the Lord instead of running scared.
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Anxiety
When the things we fear continue into a more general, sustained, long-term uneasy state of mind it becomes anxiety. Anxiety is distracting care. While there are legitimate daily concerns about things like health, safety, and relationships, anxiety is a state of mind where our thoughts are continually pulled to dwell on circumstances.
Behind anxiety is the basic assumption that God isn't involved in our situation for our good. Looking at things from that perspective, our nature is to think and respond to things apart from God in the picture.
The Lord tells us not to be anxious. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:6-9 NIV).
Telling the Truth
We all need wisdom and courage to stand up to false accusations. If you’re on the receiving end of hurtful words stay calm, speak the truth, and trust your defence to the Lord.
Discipline
Pray about everything. When you pray you’re giving your worries to God. He understands what you’re worrying about and He knows exactly what He’s doing. If you leave it to Him, He’ll work it out.
Loneliness
When you feel lonely remember the Lord is with you. He hasn’t left you alone. In these times cling to His promises to never abandon you, never fail your, and never forsake you.
Leave it With the Specialist
When faced with impossible situations refuse to worry. Instead, hand them over to God. Ask Him to take charge. After all, He’s the specialist.
Five Tips for Processing Change
God has wired us to find comfort, security, and identity in the familiar, the routine, our customs and traditions. Losing them or changing them can throw us off balance and that’s uncomfortable.
Supernatural Peace
When you worry, it’s like you’re carrying around a heavy burden. You’re weighed down with anxiety and you can’t think clearly. Wouldn’t it be so much easier to give your burdens and worries over to God? He says He’ll take it and will give you peace in return. That’s a pretty good exchange.
Stressed Out
You know what causes stress? Anxiety. Do you know how to rid your life of anxiety? Rest. Resting in Christ is the quickest way to rid your life of harmful stress. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
Relax
If you want to relax and get rid of anxiety, you need to lighten up. Are you typically harsh or critical? Try cultivating a more gentle and understanding approach to life. “Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.”
In the Valley of Shadows
We don’t like to think about death, but the Bible says believers have nothing to fear—we have a Shepherd, Jesus, who will walk with us through the valley of the shadow of death when the time comes.
