How can we deal with anxiety?

God wants us to be happy and yet 40 million Americans suffer from an anxiety disorder (nimh.gov). Where can we go to find peace? In Paul's letter to the Romans he writes,

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Philippians 4:4-8).

The first thing Paul notes is that in everything we do we should ask God for what we need, yet it is not just about asking for what we need; Paul makes it clear that we must also give thanks. We must develop a heart of gratitude by first thanking God for the good things in our life. While keeping those good things in mind we should then ask God for help with the things in our life that are causing us distress, or ask Him for that which we are in need of. Paul then gives us another key to defeating our anxiety. How often do we focus on the areas of our lives that are causing us the most pain? It's human nature. Personally, when something has gone astray in my life, and my emotions are out of balance I often become so fixated on what's bothering me that I become blinded to the world at my feet. It's then I must remember: whatever is true, whatever is gracious, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious ANYTHING that is excellent; ANYTHING that is praiseworthy --> THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS.

In the midst of our suffering, in the midst of our pain, in the midst of our peril we can fight for joy. It all starts with thanksgiving, and a plea for the Lord's help. It is then we who must make an effort to meditate on the truths in our lives, the things that are beautiful - anything that is worthy of praise. For me this might mean spending more time meditating on how much God loves me or using my imagination to put myself in a bystanders shoes as Jesus was on the road to Calvary to be crucified. What must His mother have felt? Oh, how deep the love she felt for Him... how that must have penetrated her heart. I then can move on from there to think about how much my family loves me, and how much I love my family.

Meditate on your families love... feel your brothers embrace, be encapsulated in your father's words as he says, "I love you" before going to bed. Oh how majestic the earth is in its beauty and splendor. Put yourself on the top of a mountain as you gaze off into the clouds as you begin to comprehend the vastness of the earth - the billions of people with dreams, loved ones, and sorrows both very different and much the same as your own. Meditate on the love a mother has for her newborn, the selflessness of Mother Theresa, the intellect of Albert Einstein, the wisdom of Solomon. There is so much to be grateful for - there is so much to praise in this life - and yet it is so easy to become so wrapped up in our own little world, our own sorrows, our own pain that we forget the goodness of God in our own lives and in the lives of those around us.

A dear friend sent me this photograph this evening with the caption, "God is so good."

 Isn't it beautiful how amidst the clouds casting a dark shadow against the water the radiance of the sun powerfully reflects off the water as it begins to dip below the horizon? So too does God illuminate our own lives amidst the darkness that is surrounding us. Thank Him. Ask for His help. And remember, as the darkness approaches, all we need is a little light to find our way to safety.

Faith and Love,
Dylan