Keys to Powerful Living: Overcoming Anxiety

Keys to Powerful Living: Overcoming Anxiety

CBN.com - Breaking Free From The Crippling Effects of Stress

Anxiety, worry and tension are some of the most destructive forces we can face. They sap our strength and slowly undermine our faith, keeping us from maturing in the Lord (Luke 8:14). If we are to grow in our relationship with Jesus, we must discover God's plan for freedom from the crippling cycle of stress.

Anxiety, worry and tension occur when we face a situation and choose to rely upon our own strength rather than upon God and His Word. Maybe we have forgotten that God can handle any problem. Or perhaps we let our carnal nature persuade us that we can do a better job handling the situation ourselves.

But when we choose to lean on our own understanding- instead God's promises - we are placing ourselves, or the overwhelming situations we are facing, "before" the Lord. The moment we step into that place of self-reliance, we open our emotions to a flood of anxiety, worry and tension. But there is hope and freedom for anyone caught in this snare.

God wants us to be free from worry. Jesus said, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). But to enter that rest we have to cut off stress' source of power: our unbelief (Heb. 3:19).

In one of the greatest passages of Scripture, Jesus confronts our futile anxiety (Matt. 6:25-34).
He tells us to look at how God feeds the birds of the air and arrays the lilies of the field. How much more will He care for his children?

Then Jesus says, "Do not be anxious" about the things of this world. Instead, give God the proper priority in our lives - "Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness" - and He will take care of the rest.

As we grow in our understanding of God's love for us, we will soon realize that nothing in this world can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38, 39) ... no financial burden, family crisis, job situation, sickness ... nothing in the past and nothing in the future. Because He cares so deeply for us, we can cast our anxiety upon Him (1 Peter 5:7)

Every day will bring new opportunities to cast our cares upon Him. One of the best ways we can do this is by replacing our worry and tension with prayer and thanksgiving. "Be anxious for nothing," the Bible says, "but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (Phil 4:6). This command is followed by a wonderful promise: "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:7).

It is also important to begin incorporating God's pattern for rest into your own life. You should set aside one day a week as the Lord's day - taking a break from your work routine so you can enter into His rest.

As we learn to take God at His Word, walk in His favor and trust in His strength, our worries will melt away, replaced by a precious peace that is known only by those who rest in God's loving arms.

Rebecca Denise Ivey

Kim and Rebecca

Christopher and Rebecca
Jonathan and Rebecca

Rebecca Denise Ivey

Rebecca

Allison and RebeccaBecky and Rebecca

Kim had the baby on 1/8/09 around 5 pm-ish. She weighed in at 6lbs. 2oz. and is 17 inches long. Kim and the baby girl are doing great! The boys are proud big brothers...She is beautiful and healthy. Kim and Charles are very proud parents!