My Anxiety and Fear

We all have them or at least I hope I am not the only one that goes through trials that are filled with anxious and fearful moments. Most of these moments, I am learning are trials that God allows us to go through so we can grow stronger in our walk with Him. **Notice I did NOT say He causes these things!**

I am not Job, so far from being patient as Job was and enduring what he did because his faith was so great. I believe, I trust but being human I still waiver at times because things aren't happening as fast as I want them to.

It seems I crawl over one fence only to find another one right behind it and I can't get any closer to the goal than I was a few feet or a few days ago and at times, I get weary climbing those fences.

I worried about being hired for the job I was recently offered...now I worry will the hearing aids I need be enough to help me keep that job? Then another thing hit us pretty hard on Friday and it was a devasting blow, knocked the wind out of our sails....more money to be spent, I am confused and doing my best to trust and not become anxious once again. I can't share it here, just please pray for us!

Then I remembered something I learned yesterday in church:
Jesuse takes my anxiety and gives me peace, Philippians 4:6-7, 'Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.'

I do not have anxiety all the time, so it isn't like I suffer from anxiety disorder, but I believe myself like many of us experience anxiety at various times in our lives...for me, I can talk in front of a group, but when I begin I am a bit anxious. Going in for my yearly physical...I am anxious because I do not like some of the testing process. Being late makes me anxious. Car repairs...we all have times.

If you are anxious all the time or persistently, you may need professional help dealing with a constant nagging persistant anxiousness for what appears no reasons. This blog cannot help with that, I will pray for you, but I am by no way a medical professional.

Did you know that God knew we would be anxious at times in our life? Matter of fact, we are told over 300 times in the Bible to not fear or to be anxious and that is what the above scripture tells us and it tells us what to do:

1.) Talk to God about it (praying is just talking to God, we don't need fancy words or long drawn out prayers). Remember God has large shoulders, He wants us to come to Him, to talk to Him, cast our burdens at His feet, He loves hearing from us!

2.) Make our needs known (supplication) tell God what we need and pray believing we will get it. To many times we give it to God, take it back, give it to God, take it back...we are telling Him we are giving it to Him but we don't trust or believe enough in Him to think we are worthy enough that He will give it to us. Maybe not that million dollar lottery, but He does love us and wants to give us what we need. Notice I didn't say what we WANT!

3.)Thank Him in all things, give Him thanks. During worship at church in the middle of singing,I thank Him and praise Him for His goodness! He died on the cross for us, He loved us that much. We don't have to thank him for the muck we find ourselves in, but thank Him because we know what He did for us and will continue to do for us!

4.)Believe He will help you! See #3 about waivering!

5.) Meditate on the positive and true things of God. Read His word and His promises, cement them into our mind, keep our mind full of His word and our heart and minds will be guarded.

I am not perfect, I don't try to be and I know I struggle with these things on a daily basis. I know God will do what He knows is best, but I am human and I struggle. I hope these things will bless and help you as they did me by re-reading them over and over again!