Fearful & Anxious
- 21stcglmediateam
- Jul 4
- 3 min read
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 (ESV)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (ESV)
Have you been keeping up with the news, especially if you live in the US? The recent bombing in Iran and the headlines warning Americans to be on high alert have caused a lot of fear and anxiety, both here and around the world. It is natural to feel worried when things are uncertain, but what can we do as God’s children to manage these feelings?
In the verses above, and many other verses throughout the Bible, God says, for us not to worry or fear. However, as we go about our busy lives, how does one not become fearful or anxious, when taking in the current state of the world? To be honest, it is not easy. God understands our concerns and fears. He knows our need for reassurance and comfort when the future is so uncertain. The way one begins to tackle this is to realize you cannot stop feeling fearful or anxious. Those feelings will come and trying to fight them off or ignore them is pointless. When they do show up, acknowledge them, but then say, “I won’t give in, and I won’t let these feelings control me.”
We may not know what will happen however, we do know the one who is Master over the past, the present, and the future. God knows all and has proven He can be trusted. By praying consistently and studying His word, we will gain knowledge of this world’s future and of His soon return.
Some tips on how to manage your fears and anxious thoughts:
-Acknowledge these feelings and do not brush them aside or downplay them. Figure out what might be causing them.
-Practice, calming techniques. Closing your eyes and taking deep breaths. Focus on a peaceful/happy place or memory. Focus on God‘s love and care for you, despite what is happening all around.
-Do not allow negative thoughts and feelings to spiral out of control. You will feel anxious/fearful but, do not allow yourself to go down a negative dark path.
-Be kind to yourself when you do feel this way. Tend to your needs. Exercise, take a walk, eat, get proper rest, and pamper yourself.
-Most importantly, pray and study God‘s word. Even though you may not “feel” at peace, nor fully understand what is going on. Despite this, decide to trust God and know that He has everything under control. Trust and believe that no matter what happens, He will be there.
Now, if your anxious feelings and thoughts go much deeper and you feel you may need to speak to someone, please do not hesitate to seek the professional attention/care that you need. There are many people in the church and outside of it who have a therapist they see regularly, and that is perfectly okay.
Despite the fearful and anxious feelings, you may experience from time to time, know for certain that God is there and is working out a plan. Trust that God has everything under control and continue to move forward and spread His message of love to others. Seek to give encouragement to everyone as they navigate this journey called life.
Blessings,
Angélique
To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com
