Worry - Anxiety - Stress
Covers - Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Doubt, Insecurity, Negativity, Pessimism, Low-Ambition, Low-Self-Esteem, Low Confidence, Feelings of Disgrace, Shame, Disappointment, Inferiority.
Please also see: ‘Mind & thought.’ ‘Meditation.’
Seek the Truth with all your heart.
If you use your magnificent mind to worry about tomorrow, you drag yourself down. Keep bringing your mind back to the present. Push worry aside, and come home to the present, where you will find GOD waiting for you. HE will empower you to cope with each task as it comes. Allow the hope of Heaven to fill your thoughts, as Heaven is eternally present. As you walk in the Light with GOD, you have one foot on Earth and the other in Heaven.
No matter how bleak things look at any given moment, GOD will continue to show evidence of HIS goodness and mercy while we are still on this Earth.
Do not reflect on, dwell on, discuss, and mourn, over sad and unpleasant recollections. This just brings a darkness that shuts you away from the light of GOD.
Focus on the flowers, not the thorns, focus on fresh spring growth, not winter bleakness.
Don’t allow your present situation, circumstance, conditions, feelings, and emotions; dictate, shape, and determine your future. By your choice and decision, a change of direction can happen in an instant, and the ‘new you’ can have dominion over your choices and directions.
If you choose to be solidly planted in GOD, you do not have to be blown around.
Place GOD in the centre of your worried thoughts. Make HIM the dominating thought, and allow worrying to fade away. Worrying does not achieve anything worthwhile; it is just another destroyer.
If you have been criticised, turn it into a lesson and learn from it. Make it a positive experience. Criticism often comes from a person who is feeling inadequate, inferior, or jealous.
Everyone makes mistakes, but this does not make you a failure as a person.
If you allow negative and hurtful experiences and memories to dominate your thoughts, they will dominate and affect your life.
The first thing to do is to ask GOD for HIS guidance, and the energy to act on it; then wait for that small inner voice, or urging.
You must decide to wear the captain’s hat in your life, so put it on and choose not to be dominated by past problems and hurts. Wearing the captain’s hat does not replace GOD. HE is the navigator, and you choose what you do with HIS advice.
Do not allow past pain to dictate your future. Your past does not define who you are now, you cannot move forward if you are dwelling on the past. The rear vision mirror is meant for occasional checking, not for being in control of where you are going.
Do not worry about what others think of you. You are unique and have every right to be who and what you are, as long as it does not harm or hurt anyone else.
Nearly every person in the world has stories and experiences of bad luck, bad situations, bad outcomes, wrong choices, being victims, being abused, and tragedies; but don’t let these become anchors which hold you back; don’t dwell on them, try not to talk about them as such recollections drag you down, as well as those who are hearing. All this can be very subtle and subconscious; but speaking positive and happy things creates different brain chemistry.
Today’s decisions shape your future. Giving your heart to Jesus is the highest and best thing possible.
In prayer, and meditation, seek GOD’s will, and praise and thank HIM in every situation, good or bad. This might sound odd, but it keeps you lifted up, and it shows Satan that he can never win with you. Keep GOD as the winner and HE will bring you good things. A grateful mind protects you from negative thinking.
Step out of your zone of worry, concern, anxiety, suffering, stress, and depression. Stay with prayer, worship, and meditation on GOD; and you will find a new zone of calmness, peace, and reassurance. Ask GOD to fill and cover you with HIS peace, and then consciously and meaningfully embrace it.
Be assertive and determined about living your life in HIS company.
Allow GOD’s Light to soak into you, driving out any darkness lodged within.
In order to hear HIS Voice, release all your worries into HIS care.
I emphasize that in every situation, it does not matter how bad it is, praise and thank GOD. This may seem unnatural and even irrational, but it will lift you up, and affirm your trust in GOD, and you will feel HIS unfathomable Peace.
You are part of HIS creation, and HE loves you, irrespective of everything.
Some of the world’s most successful people have achieved their success after extremely unfortunate, tragic, and shocking backgrounds, some not knowing who their parents were.
GOD is the ultimate Commander, so choose HIM to direct and guide you; however HE will not step in unless you invite HIM.
Resting in GOD is believing absolutely in HIS Word, and telling your problems that Jesus is Lord of your life.
Rest in GOD, focus on, and spend time with HIM, forget about the worries of the world. If you live on the surface of life by focussing on ever-changing phenomena, and all the choppy wind-blown waves, you will arrive at Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes – everything is meaningless.
GOD’s face is shining upon you, beaming out Peace that transcends understanding. You might be surrounded by a sea of problems, but you are face to face with GOD, WHO is your Peace. As long as you focus on HIM, you are safe. If you look at the problems around you, for too long, you will sink under their weight. When you start to sink, simply call out, “Jesus help me!” And He will lift you up.
The closer you stay to GOD, the safer you are.
Do not be ashamed of your emptiness; see it as the optimal condition for being filled with GOD’s Love and Peace.
Do not dwell on concerns and problems, just continue to thank and praise Jesus and GOD for the answers that are on the way.
The more you trust in GOD, the more HE empowers you to do so.
Luke 1:37 ‘For nothing is impossible with GOD.’
Exodus 14:14 ‘The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.’
Deuteronomy 31:6 ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your GOD goes with you; HE will never leave you nor forsake you.’
Ecclesiastes 1:1-2 ‘The words of the Teacher (Solomon,) son of David, king in Jerusalem: “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 ‘Now all has been heard here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear GOD and keep HIS commandments, for this is the whole duty of mankind.
For GOD will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.’
(Fear = holding GOD in respectful awe.)
When you have a heavy heart, and you begin to praise GOD, you experience a new sense of hope and joy. Worship reminds you that GOD is far bigger than the situation you face, and that HE is willing, wanting, and waiting to manage your concerns and problems.
Psalm 9:9-12 ‘The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know YOUR NAME will trust in YOU, for YOU, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek YOU. Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what HE has done. For HE who avenges blood remembers; HE does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.’
Psalm 23:4 & 6 ‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for YOU are with me; YOUR rod and your staff, they comfort me.’
‘Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.’
Psalm 27:13-14 As King David said, “I am still confident of this; I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”
Psalm 29:11 ‘The LORD gives strength to HIS people, the LORD blesses HIS people with peace.’
Psalm 37:7 ‘Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for HIM; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.’
Psalm 40:28-31 ‘Do you not know.? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting GOD, the Creator of the ends of the Earth. HE will not grow tired or weary, and HIS understanding no one can fathom. HE gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’
Psalm 46:1 ‘GOD is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.’
Psalm 55:22 ‘Cast your cares on the LORD and HE will sustain you; HE will never let the righteous be shaken.’
Psalm 56:3-4 ‘When I am afraid, I will trust YOU. In GOD, WHOSE word I praise, in GOD I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’
Psalm 86:7 ‘When I am in distress, I call to YOU, because YOU answer me.’
Psalm 91:1-2 ‘Whoever dwells (by faith, belief, & relationship) in the shadow of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “HE is my refuge and my fortress, my GOD in WHOM I trust.”
Psalm 103:6 ‘The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.’
Psalm 112:6-7 ‘Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.’
Psalm 121:1-8 ‘I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and Earth. HE will not let your foot slip – HE WHO watches over you will not slumber; indeed, HE WHO watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you – the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm - HE will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.’
Psalm 147:3 ‘The LORD heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds.’
Proverbs 3:5-6 ‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge HIM, and HE will make your paths straight.’
Proverbs 29:25 ‘Fear of man (any person) will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.’
Isaiah 41:10-13 ‘So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your GOD. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with MY righteous right hand. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be nothing and perish.
Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the LORD, your GOD, WHO takes hold of your right hand and says to you: “Do not fear; I will help you.”
Ecclesiastes 7:10 ‘Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions.’
Isaiah 43:18-19 ‘Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing.! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.’
Isaiah 61:1-3 ‘The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. HE has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’S favour and the day of vengeance of our GOD, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion, to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of HIS splendour.’
Lamentations 3:22-25 ‘Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for HIS compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for HIM.
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in HIM, to the one who seeks HIM’
Choosing life entails loving GOD with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength, listening to the voice of His Holy Spirit ( Hebrew = Ruach HaKodesh) and keeping HIS commandments. Doing so is the very best choice we could ever make, for this is our very life.
Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus said: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly FATHER feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how GOD clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will HE not much more clothe you. O you of little faith. So do not worry, saying, ’What shall we eat?’ Or ‘What shall we drink?’ Or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first HIS (GOD’s) kingdom and HIS righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.’
Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus said “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Luke 12:22-24 Repeats the above in slightly different words, but adds on in:
verses 25-31 ‘Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of those. If that is how GOD clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will HE clothe you, O you of little faith. And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink, do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek HIS kingdom, and all these things will be given to you as well.’
John 8:31B-33 ‘---- Jesus said, “If you hold to My teaching, you really are My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
GOD wants us to get in touch with the truth of HIS Word, because that is what sets us free.
To overcome depression it is best to study GOD’S Word, and practice being in alignment with what it says.
John 16:33 “I (Jesus) have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart. I have overcome the world.”
Romans 8:28 ‘And we know that in all things GOD works for the good of those who love HIM, who have been called according to HIS purpose.’
Romans 15:13 ‘May the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in HIM, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’
1 Corinthians 118:5-9 ‘In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and HE answered by setting me free. The LORD is with me: I will not be afraid. What can mankind do to me.? The LORD is with me; He is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in mankind. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.’
Philippians 3:13-14 ‘Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do. Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which GOD has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.’
Philippians 4:6-7 ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to GOD. And the peace of GOD, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.’
Philippians 4:12-13 ‘I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through HIM WHO gives me strength.’
Philippians 4:19-20 ‘And my GOD will meet all your needs according to HIS glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our GOD and FATHER be glory for ever and ever. Amen.’
This is powerful - GOD is always ready to listen, but HE can only provide answers to prayers in keeping with HIS will.
HE is a loving GOD, the same as parents are loving, but they will only give you what you want, if they approve of it.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 ‘For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.’
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 ‘Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Chris’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.’
When we know and rely on Christ, He gives us strength to prevail and see it through, or just continue to cope with the problem, if that is how it has to be.
2 Corinthians 7:10 ‘GOD-ly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.’
1 Peter 5:7 ‘Cast all your anxiety on HIM because HE cares for you.’
1 Peter 5:10 ‘And the GOD of all grace, WHO called you to HIS eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will HIMSELF restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.’
Too many people are limping through the day instead of making it worthwhile and living it in fullness, with a good purpose, or at least making a point of getting something done which they have been intending to do for a long time.
When something is unfair and unjust, giving you a problem, GOD may be calling you to challenge and change it. All things do not come to those who wait, but to those who are willing to be led by GOD, and then doing something about it. Complaining and worrying do not change anything, they just make you feel unhappy. Others may walk away from a closed door, but when you turn to GOD and put it into HIS hands, HE can open it if it be in keeping with the superior knowledge of HIS will.
When you do away with GOD, you are cutting yourself off from the greatest source of help in the universe; and you are left with yourself and your own devices, which, in comparison, are desperately compromised and limited.
Remember, if you are truly one of GOD’s children, you are on route to heaven, so let your problems fade in the light of eternity.
Psalm 46:10a “Be still and know that I am GOD.”
Stillness is at the heart - the centre - the eye of the storm. Cares drain you of rest and peace.
It is in stillness that we can encounter GOD’s peace, HE is at the centre of everything, even if there is chaos surrounding. Everything has a central point, including the wildest storm, cyclone, tornado, or hurricane; a place of perfect stillness, and so it is with any tempestuous situation you find yourself in. You do not need to frantically search for a place to get away from it, just go within and rest in your own centre of stillness, and just be at peace. The absolute central point is motionless; and there you can find GOD.
Don’t be thrown around by the waves on the surface of the ocean, go into the deep part where there is calm, and there you can find GOD.
This does not stop the storm around you, it is a place where you can be, despite what is happening around you. Give it all to GOD and rest in HIM.
Ephesians 6:12 ‘For our struggle is not against flesh and blood (human beings,) but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.’ Which are evil Satanic forces.
When you truly know who you truly are, no-one can put a dent in you that will remain; just allow yourself to be corrected, and learn from it as you can, if need be. Yes, it is possible to be hurt by certain comments, but the hurt can be kept at arms-length when you are standing on firm ground knowing that you are a child of GOD and that HE always loves you. Don’t let casual comments and opinions have authority over you; let them be temporary and harmless and about to be carried away with the breeze; and never permanent.
Hold onto your faith. Never lose faith.
Always keep hoping. Never lose hope.
GOD is always there.