Overcoming Anxiety Part 2

Part 2 of this Overcoming Anxiety series begins with answering the question, what is anxiety?

From Jesus’ teaching

1. Matthew 6:31
2. Anxiety is concern over things future
3. It is concern over something you can do nothing about
4. It is concern over something we cannot ever be sure about
5. It is also concern over something that is in the past

From Banner Health

Someone with an anxiety disorder experiences more than just occasional worry. They often feel afraid, tense or uneasy about something with an uncertain outcome. 

“Symptoms of anxiety can make sleeping, focusing or completing everyday tasks difficult,” Dr.  Brenner Freeman (MD, Psychiatrist) said. “Some people may notice racing thoughts that make it hard to concentrate, while others feel tension in their muscles, rapid heartbeat or stomach problems.”

What anxiety might look like in:

• Children: Trouble with transitions, clinginess or tantrums 
• Teens: Avoiding school, withdrawing socially and excessive worry about fitting in
• Adults: Irritability, difficulty concentrating or pulling back from work and relationships

Aside:  This seems to be rather normal for almost every child, teen, and adult.  Which leads to the question - What do we do about it as Christians?

Overcoming anxiety

1. Decide it is wrong (based on the teaching of Jesus)
   1. Healing is available for everything we face
   2. Forgiveness is essential for our wrongs
   1. Nothing can ever be done about the future
   2. Only God knows about the future
   3. Jesus is teaching that it is wrong to allow tomorrow’s problems to tear you apart today
   1. Today is a gift from God
   2. We should handle our emotions wisely so we can fully live for Him today
   1. It is wrong because the past is over and gone
   2. It is wrong because the future is not here yet
   3. It is wrong because only God knows the future
   4. It is wrong because it damages today