Psalm 23 (NIV)
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
I chose Psalm 23 because of the song Still Waters. The song serves as a reminder that anxiety hates Psalm 23. I have fought severe chronic generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks with agoraphobia since my teenage years. During my recent hospital stay, God impressed upon my heart the importance of what the anxiety disorder can cause when not under control. He showed me how fear and anxiety are my biggest issues that need attention.
Anxiety is defined as a normal emotional and physical response of unease, tension, or worry directed at future or anticipated threats. It becomes a problem and developes into an anxiety disorder when the response becomes heightened or prolonged and interferes with daily functioning.
In a biblical sense, anxiety is a state of inner turmoil, a distracted heart, or mind being "pulled apart" by worry and fear about the future. It becomes problematic when we let it rule our heart. When we let anxiety overshadow God's promises it is usually an indication of an area in your heart that needs work. God does not condemn us for having anxiety. He wants to comfort us, guide us, and show us to rely on His strength to see us through any storm we may face. God desires peace for us and anxiety steals it away.
The Bible has quite a few verses that reference anxiety. In Matthew 26:37-38, we witness Jesus experiencing deep emotional distress and are shown how Jesus understands first hand the human feeling of anxiety. In Romans 8:38-39, we are reassured that anxiety does not separate us from God's love. 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) tells us: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." To overcome anxiety we need to place our trust entirely in God. We need to stay focused on the fact that His will is sufficient and He has plans not to harm us.
My reading on anxiety and God, showed me a plan to put into place to help calm an anxious heart. It is a four part plan. Prayer, scripture, gratitude, and fellowship. Also remember that faith speaks the truth over anxiety. Faith remembers past times God has brought you through the storm and trusts Jesus to bring you through again. Faith clings to God's promises and His word for reassurance in hard times. Faith knows we serve a God of love, grace, and mercy.
While I was unresponsive during my hospital stay, God impressed upon me that I often allow my anxiety to make my choices for me which causes me to make decisions I'm not always proud of. He showed me that worrying about what others think of me is a huge problem area for me that needs fixed. He reassured me that sometimes it is okay to look dumb, silly, or whatever else to others because ultimately it is not their judgement that matters.
I love to play the song Still Waters when I feel myself being overwhelmed by my anxiety disorder. It reminds me where and who to focus on and trust in. Remember, anxiety hates Psalm 23. May the peace of the Lord fill each of us today and every day.
All my love,
Christie
"God's Princess"
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