Teaching

Anxiety:
A resource for all who struggle with anxiety.

There are basic biblical principles

which will bring peace to your heart and mind (see Philippians 4:6-7).

Finding Freedom from Anxiety and Fear

Adapted from materials in the book Freedom From Fear by Dr. Neil T. Anderson and Rich Miller

Fear and anxiety are taking away the joy of many people. Anxiety is one of the biggest mental health problems in North America. Fear is about a danger that is immediate; anxiety is about something that might or could happen - “what if'.” Here is a path to finding freedom from fear and anxiety.

• Begin by reading Zephaniah 3:17 to be assured of God’s love and care for you.
• Then recall a time when you felt close to God                                                   
• Write down a memory you just had                                                                    
• The memory you had can become your safe place.
• As you are in that place where God is close, prepare yourself for the following prayer.
• Whenever you feel anxious about continuing, pause and go back to that safe place.

Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You as your Child.  I put myself under your protective care. I confess that I have been fearful and anxious because of my lack of trust and my unbelief.  I have not lived by faith and I have relied on my own strength and resources.  Thank You that I am forgiven in Christ.  I choose to believe the truth that You have not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. 

Lord, I ask You to reveal to me all the fears that have been controlling me and the lies that I have believed, so that I can confess, renounce and overcome wrong beliefs. I ask You to also show me the wrong attitudes and behaviours that are connected to my anxiety or contribute to it, so that I can confess and turn away from all that prevents me from living in freedom. I desire to live a responsible life in the power of the Holy Spirit. In the strong name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Write down the anxieties and fears that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind:                                    

Then look at the following list. Mark any other fears that apply to you.

__ illness, __death, __ death of a loved one, __ being alone, __ the future __ marriage, __ divorce, __ never being loved, __ never getting married, __ being childless __ people, __ embarrassment, __ disapproval, __ confrontation, __ rejection __ making decisions, __ making mistakes, __ failure, __ financial problems __ going crazy, __ being a hopeless case, __ being the victim of crime or terrorism __ committing the unpardonable sin, __ doubting salvation, __ losing salvation, __ Satan  __ not being loved by God, __ not being able to love others, __ being/becoming homosexual __ animals or objects (name them)                                    __ fear of specific people (name them)                          

Praying about worries, fears and anxieties (photocopy this page to use for each anxiety)

• Work through your fears and anxieties by using the prayer guide below for each one.
• Take time to find anchor verses and summarize the truths that will strengthen you.
• After writing out the prayer guide below, meet with a mature Christian that can support and encourage you as you pray it aloud. (Do several at a time, but not too many.)
• Also write the anchor verses out separately and keep them at hand to renew your mind whenever you notice a worry, fear or anxiety rising up in you. 

1. Lord, I confess and repent of the fear of                                
2. The physical symptoms I have noticed are                              
3. This fear started when                                 
4. I have believed the lie that                               
5. I renounce that lie and choose to believe the truth from God’s Word that                     
6. I confess and repent of my wrong behaviours and attitudes that are connected to this fear, including what is unhelpful, irresponsible or what compromises my witness:                      
7. I submit myself to You, Lord Jesus. I choose to live by faith in You, believing the promises that You will care for me and meet all my needs.  You are the faithful and all sufficient One! In the precious name of Jesus I pray.  Amen.

After praying through several anxieties with a mature Christian, complete with the prayer below.  It includes 2 commitments that you need to consider before you pray.

• To face your fears and with God’s help make changes so that you can live in freedom.
• To renew your mind. “Renewing the mind” involves a daily practice of intentionally getting the Word of God into your mind. Reading the Bible is central. Renewing the mind can also include such things as memorizing, meditation, reflection, journaling, affirming and declaring core truths from the Bible, singing and listening to Christian songs, worshipping, receiving teaching.

Dear Heavenly Father, I now ask You to show me the way to live responsibly and face my fears. Your grace is sufficient for me. I commit myself to renewing my mind with your Word.

I praise You that You are trustworthy.  I choose to believe You even when my feelings and circumstances tell me to fear.  You have told me not to fear, for You are with me, to not look anxiously about, for You are my God.  You will strengthen me, help me and uphold me with your righteous right hand.  

I pray this in the strong name of Jesus Christ, my Saviour.   Amen

Speak out the following affirmations. Declare them with conviction!  Each one is based on a scripture truth.  Write out or print up the verses and meditate on them to renew your mind.

I declare that I am a child of God.  John 1:12

I bring all my concerns to God and in exchange I receive his peace. Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:6-7

I choose to dwell on what is “true, honourable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.” Philippians 4:8

I affirm that I am free forever from condemnation. Romans 8:1, 2

The truth is that I am hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3

I reject all fear and choose to walk by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. Psalm 27:1

I trust in God who is with me no matter what happens. Daniel 3:17, 18; John 16:33

I am assured that all things work together for good to those who love God. Romans 8:28

I renounce Satan's lies and embrace God's truth so that I will be set free of fear. John 8:31, 32

The truth is that God will strengthen me, help me and uphold me. Isaiah 41:10

I affirm that I cannot be separated from the love of God. Romans 8:35-39

The truth is that I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me. 1 John 5:18

I command Satan by the authority I have in Jesus Christ to leave my presence.  2 Corinthians 10:3-5

I commit myself to rejoice in the Lord daily. Psalm 63:3, 4; Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16

I am confident that the good work God has begun in me will be perfected. Philippians 1:6

I submit myself to the Lord Jesus Christ. James 4:7

I resist Satan and all his evil workers in the Name of Jesus Christ. James 4:7, I Peter 5:8, 9

The truth is that Satan is already defeated by Jesus on the cross. 1 Corinthians 15:57

I choose to place my confidence in God. Psalm 56:3, 4; Psalm 4:8; Psalm 89:18; Romans 8:28

The truth is that I can find grace and mercy to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

I surrender my anxieties to God. 1 Peter 5:8

I choose to live with a spirit of thankfulness in all circumstances. Philippians 4:4-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:18

God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

In the powerful name of Jesus Christ, I renounce any spirit of fear.

Here is the truth: 

God is good (Ps. 119:68), God is love (1 John 4:8,16) and God has a future filled with hope for his children (Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28-29). Our God is a refuge and a fortress, and shield and defender for those who trust in Him (Psalm 91:2-4). xv

From Dr. David Jeremiah in his book What Are You Afraid Of? Facing Down Your Fears with Faith

     

The Truth Will Set You Free

Jesus said, "the truth will set you free" and "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."  Jesus is the Deliverer.  People ask us whether we do deliverance ministry.  The short answer is "NO".  Jesus delivers and our ministry is to point people to Jesus.  Some people take the position that if someone has a problem, the demon is identified and cast out.  This is known as a "power encounter" (PE).  Others use psychological/counselling principles and don't acknowledge the spiritual dimension of people's problems.  We may refer to this position as "no encounter" (0E).  We believe the approach that takes seriously the spiritual realm AND the individual's responsibility lies between these extremes.  It is the "truth encounter" (TE).

             

______X___________________X____________________X______ 

           0E (no encounter)           TE (truth encounter)          PE (power encounter)

We teach and encourage individuals to assume their authority as a child of God to resist the devil and find freedom from the harassment of the enemy.  As believers who are seated with Christ in the heavenlies and who submit to God we can speak in the Name of Jesus Christ to accomplish our Lord's purposes. (James 4:7-8) 

Here is a fuller explanation of truth encounter:

Taking Every Thought Captive

       Most of us have negative and wrong thoughts that have become habitual ways of thinking. We tend to believe we can’t do much to change our thoughts. We may engage in negative thinking such as “Things are hopeless and will never change” or “I am no good” or “I just can’t... ” We may dwell on critical thoughts against others or ongoing imaginations that are morally wrong. Unchecked they become patterns or habits. Most often these thoughts result in speaking or behaving in wrong and destructive ways. Often our life causes us to embrace beliefs and thoughts that are contrary to the Bible. In addition, the enemy of our souls is capable of planting thoughts into our minds and we suppose them to be our own (1 Timothy 4:1). The Bible says the devil is a deceiver, an accuser, a liar, a tempter, a thief and a destroyer! Most demonic strategies come to us through our minds. So that is where our struggles occur. It is important to remember that thoughts determine our behaviours and our feelings.

      Throughout the Scriptures there is an emphasis on right thinking (Psalm 19:14; Philippians 4:8).  That means we have the responsibility to deal with negative and sinful thoughts.  We are told to “take every thought captive” (2 Corinthians 10:5).  The question is, how do we get rid of immoral, negative, critical or fearful thoughts?  Do we simply put them out of our mind?  Most people find this hard to do.   Wrong thoughts need to be replaced  (Romans 12:2) with positive, God-honouring thoughts!  Ephesians 6:10-18 describes God's resources for us. 

            We can choose to meet any negative thought, temptation or attack with spiritual resources instead of struggling in human energy (Col 1:29). 

            Pray and ask God to help you, to give you His grace for this spiritual battle.  But don't stop there! Take your responsibility to use the spiritual armour and to take every thought captive.         

Romans 12:1, 2  offer your bodies => don’t conform =>   renew your mind                      
2 Corinthians 4:2                                     renounce

Ephesians 6:10-18 put on armour  => stand firm       =>    sword – Word of God              Titus 2:11, 12                                        say “NO!”

James 4:6-10       submit                => resist              => draw near (renew)  

           

The following is a combination of these instructions:

Submit: I submit myself (my body / my mind) to You, Lord Jesus Christ. 
Resist the enemy: In the name of Jesus Christ I resist (stand against / renounce)

the       (lie / temptation / fear / anxiety)     ­   that     (name it)           . 
Renew your mind (replace wrong and negative thoughts): 

The truth is     (state an appropriate, encouraging truth from God’s Word)  .  

                        Memorize this pattern:             submit => resist => renew

The above is a practical way of “taking every thought captive.”  As you do so consistently, you will find that when wrong thinking changes    =>  your behaviour changes    =>   and your negative feelings change!  

Try writing out a prayer/renunciation and carry it in your purse or wallet to be pulled out when needed!

Also…

·        Pray for spiritual protection: “Lord, I ask You to guard me from the lies and attacks of the enemy.”

·        Ask God whether you have “opened a door” to the enemy.  If you have, confess the sin (James 4:8b).

·        Draw near to God daily in scripture, music, biblical teaching, fellowship, etc. (Col 3:1-4; Heb 12:1, 2).

·        Praise and thank God, even in difficult or distressing experiences (Ps 107:1; Ps 113:1-3; Heb 13:15).

·        Continue to be active in spiritual battle - submit to God and resist the devil (1 Peter 5:6-9).

·        Seek God's healing for painful experiences that underlie wrong thinking (Ps 30:2; Jer 17:14).

·        Read or recite Ephesians 6:10-18 regularly and thoughtfully. The spiritual armour is God's provision.

·        Choose at least one helpful Bible verse for what you renounced.  It should focus on truth and provide encouragement.  Write it out, keep it at hand, and repeat it often to counteract deception (Eph 6:17).

   

            If you find that you are continually resisting or renouncing in the same area of difficulty, there is probably a stronghold that needs to be dealt with.  A stronghold is an ingrained pattern of wrong thinking or wrong behaviour that is usually rooted in difficult or sinful life experiences.  Going through Steps to Freedom addresses underlying issues and sin patterns.    

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