Break the Anxiety Danger Cycle
ONE
When we think we are in danger our brain sends a message to our nervous system to switch on our fight or flight mode and to be on high alert. Imagine a group of deer grazing peacefully in a meadow and then hearing a noise and smelling a hunter. White tail goes up and they are on high alert.
Anxiety is danger signal. Fear is good when there is a real threat of danger. Fear prompts us to move, to do something to protect oneself.
It is bad to live in a constant state of danger, a constant state of fear, worry and anxiety that lead to a hypervigilance where we try to predict and control all possible threats.
Anxiety comes from continuously sensing danger.
Jesus strictly forbids us from being anxious. To follow his command it is helpful to identify what you perceive to be dangers in your life. What is the causes of fear and anxiety that you face?
TWO
To remove anxiety we must deactivate the danger signal.
Jesus gives us the ultimate reason to believe we are safe. Because God is your Father. He governs all things.
Matthew 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Nothing can happen, not even one sparrow falling to the ground, unless God the Father wills it or permits it. And God wills and permits nothing unless it is for the greatest good.
THREE
The second reason we are safe is this: if God has give us the greatest thing possible, He came and died for us and has given us His own divine life dwelling in our soul – for that is what the Kingdom means, Jesus dwelling within you - then would not God give you all the lesser important things you need to live?
Luke 11:9 'So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. What father among you would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or hand him a snake instead of a fish? Or hand him a scorpion if he asked for an egg? If you then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!'
FOUR
Four times Jesus tells us not to be anxious, one time not to fear – why? Because God is your Father.
Luke 12:22 And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat, nor about your body, what you shall put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!
And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass which is alive in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O men of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be of anxious mind. For all the nations of the world seek these things; and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things shall be yours as well. "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
FIVE
As long as we do our best to fulfill our responsibilities, to do our part, then God will take care of the rest. And he does not expect you to be perfect because only God is capable of perfection.
Pay attention to this: God respects our freedom. If we want to try to control everything and protect ourselves against every possible danger through hyper vigilance, then God will let us try and he will not override our choice. Therefore, when we worry, we put ourselves in the place of God and leave him no room to act on our behalf. Trust in his providential care gives him space to act.
· Being Anxious or worried is saying to God - I’ve got this so you can stand down.
· Trust says to God - I can only do so much, I’ll do what I can but I need you God to take care of everything else.
If you want to remove anxiety from your life, then you must remove the sense of danger. Practice reminding yourself that God is your Father. He governs all things for good. Nothing can happen to you that he is not guiding. Do your best and let Him take care of the rest.
Psalm 91
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust." For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand; but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your refuge, the Most High your habitation, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot. Because he cleaves to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation.