“Do not be anxious about anything…” (Philippians 4:6 NIV)
The word “Annihilate” means to “Destroy Completely!” It’s Latin Origin “Annihilare” literally means to “Reduce to Nothing!” And that’s exactly what we’re going to do today to Anxiety: “Reduce it to Nothing!”
Edith Armstrong shares with us one of her best habits: “I keep the telephone of my mind open to peace, harmony, health, love and abundance. Then, whenever doubt, anxiety or fear try to call me, they keep getting a busy signal—and soon they’ll forget my number.”
“Anxiety” is “an anxious feeling or state.” You see, when you’re “Anxious” it means you are “experiencing worry or unease; or very eager and concerned to do something.” Its Latin Origin comes from “Angere” which literally means “To Choke.”
“To Choke” is to “prevent (someone) from breathing by constricting or obstructing the throat or depriving of air; to have trouble breathing; and to hinder movement.”
People of God, it is the desire of the enemy to utilize the weapon of “Anxiety”, “To Choke” you by preventing you from using what’s in you (Breath) that sustains your very life! He desires to deprive you of what God gave you so that you will be hindered in moving forward! That’s why it’s so vital that we Annihilate Anxiety which is one of Satan’s strongest weapons in attempting to annihilate us and the destiny we carry within!
“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy…” (John 10:10 NLT).
Therefore, guard your mind and stop allowing the devil to use anxiety against you, stealing your joy; killing your dreams and destroying your destiny! Instead keep your mind on 1 Peter 5:8-11, “Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are! - will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.” (MSG).
Understand that anxiety starts as a trickle then creates a channel in our mind through which all our thoughts begin to flow. Arthur Somers Roche said: “Anxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.”
With that said, most of our anxieties fall into three categories:
1) Anxiety About Things We All Face: like aging, disability, retirement, loneliness, financial uncertainty, accidents, illness, losing a loved one, and death.
2) Anxiety About Things We All Must Do: like making decisions, starting and ending relationships, losing weight, changing careers, making a mistake.
3) Anxiety Reflecting Our Inner State of Mind: These anxieties reveal how we feel about our ability to handle things. For example, fear of rejection can affect every relationship in your life. In order to avoid being hurt you shut others out, your world grows smaller and your opportunities for personal growth are more limited.
If you think about it, many of our anxieties can be reduced to one question, "What if I can't handle it?" Your mind is always the battlefield where victory is won or lost! So ask yourself, "Would I still be anxious if I knew for certain I could handle anything that came up?" The answer is No! Because anxiety can't immobilize you and steal your joy when you know you can handle whatever happens! You say, "That sounds too simple." But not when you bring God and His Word into the picture!
Here are three great Anxiety Eliminating Scriptures you can stand on when times are tough:
1) "I can do All things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13 NKJV).
2) "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 your Minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV).
3) “You will keep him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on You, Because he Trusts In You.” (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV).
“Fear is a habit; so is self-pity, defeat, anxiety, despair, hopelessness and resignation. You can eliminate all of these negative habits with two simple resolves: I can! And, I will!” (Author Unknown)
“Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith.” (Henry Ward Beecher).
And my personal favorite: “Anxiety is the mark of spiritual insecurity.” (Thomas Merton).
The next time anxiety arises, lift John 10:28 over it, “And I give them eternal life, and they shall Never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To All eternity they shall Never By Any Means be destroyed.] And No One is able to snatch them out of My Hand.” (AMP).
“Do not be anxious about anything…” (Philippians 4:6 NIV)
We all face times when we must choose between Faith and Anxiety. A woman trapped in an abusive relationship must choose between getting help, getting out or staying stuck. A young person being pressured to do drugs can choose to give in, or say, 'no' and walk away. A person anxious about death can read God's Word, talk to a friend or counselor, or continue to be anxious.
David Russell said: “The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn.” Yet, a choice has to be made nevertheless. Likewise, living an anxiety-filled life is a Choice as well!
David said, "Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart...” (Psalm 27:14 NKJV). Courage doesn't eliminate anxiety, it simply determines to rise above it! Therefore, you must learn to face the things you fear! Which can mean anything from standing up for what you believe in, to making a phone call you've been putting off, to expressing your opinion, or even acknowledging some character flaw and asking God to help you change. Whatever “it” is, you’ve got to make a deliberate decision to face it head on! Remember: “Using the power of decision gives you the capacity to get past any excuse to change any and every part of your life in an instant.” (Anthony Robbins).
Understand that Doing always comes before the Feeling of increased confidence! In other words, each time you confront your anxieties you take a step forward! But when you allow anxiety to control you, you retreat into your 'safe zone' and start seeing yourself as somebody who can't handle life.
Here's some great advice for living: Analyze the situation fearlessly, figure out the worst that can happen. Once you've accepted that, you’ll experience a release and you can begin doing something about it, even if all you can do is - leave it in the capable and loving hands of God! “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” (1 Peter 5:7 AMP).
John then writes: "Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers" (3 John 2 NASB). Why would he say that? Because your Physical Body thrives in relationship to how well you're doing Spiritually! Wallace D. Wattles said it best: “You can never become a great man or woman until you have overcome anxiety, worry, and fear. It is impossible for an anxious person, a worried one, or a fearful one to perceive truth; all things are distorted and thrown out of their proper relations by such mental states, and those who are in them cannot read the thoughts of God.”
Then doctors further it by stating that anxiety suppresses your immune system, elevates your blood pressure and increases the risk of cholesterol blockages in your arteries. For those who are anxious about failing health, anxiety creates the very condition you dread—failing health!
Did you know that a percentage of all first year medical students assume the very symptoms of whatever disease they're studying? Then some even faint when first exposed to them! Listen: If you keep building up anxiety, sooner or later it’s going to knock you down! Job said, 'For the thing which I greatly fear comes upon me, and that of which I am afraid befalls me' (3:25 AMP). Anxiety is one of Satan's most effective weapons! Your ignorance of his anxiety-inducing schemes is what enables him to gain a foothold in your thinking and rob you of the blessings that are rightfully yours, including your health!
Therefore, if you’re anxious about your health, write these Scriptures down on a card and carry it with you. If you want to take it a step further, memorize them:
1) "Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span" (Exodus 23:25-26 NIV).
2) "But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the LORD…” (Jeremiah 30:17 NIV).
3) "My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body" (Proverbs 4:20-22 NIV).
Are you feeling over-all anxious today? Then program your mind to recall these promises regularly:
1) "Be strong and courageous. Be not afraid or dismayed… for there is Another with us greater...the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles…” (2 Chronicles 32:7-8 AMP).
2) "But I will rescue you…declares the LORD; you will not be handed over to those you fear" (Jeremiah 39:17 NIV).
3) "...Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” (Isaiah 43:1-2 NKJV).
4) "...The Lord says this to you: Be not afraid or dismayed…for the battle is not yours, but God's" (2 Chronicles 20:15 AMP).
5) "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you]" (John 16:33 AMP).
6) "In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust.” (Psalm 4:8 AMP).
7) "The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles" (Psalm 34:17 NIV).
8) "You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety" (Job 11:18 NIV).
9) "And I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall; And they will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you; For I am with you to save you And deliver you, says the LORD." (Jeremiah 15:20 NKJV).
10) "So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us! - is in the presence of God at his very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us." (Romans 8:31-39 MSG).
11) "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You" (Psalm 9:10 NIV).
12) "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 121:5-8 NIV).
13) “However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves. We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair; We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed;” (2 Corinthians 4:7-9 AMP).
14) “The LORD’s people may suffer a lot, but He will always bring them safely through.” (Psalm 34:19 CEV).
15) “And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 AMP).
People of God, this day make a Deliberate Decision to Annihilate Anxiety Using the Ammunition found in the Word of God! Today is a good day to be free in faith!
Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow
The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.
"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)
"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)
