FEAR AND ANXIETY

Currently, I am reading a really good novel (more to come) and I would say the underling theme is the emotion  of an era in American history.  It fits right in with the current sermon series at church,

I Think

I Feel

I Am

It also nicely segues  into today's blog topic----anxiety and fear.  Anxiety seems to be epidemic in today's world and there is an entire class of pharmaceuticals out there for this malady.   I experienced a major anxiety attack  while driving home from Austin after visiting with #1 son and family over a decade ago.  I literally thought I was having a heart attack and had to pull over.  After calling my nurse friend, she explained what I was experiencing was anxiety.  My mind was in overdrive with all the "What If's".  My body was actually experiencing physical symptoms caused by my mind putting great stress on it.  I was living in the "Land of What Might/Could Happen".  There is a good reason God does not want us to be anxious----it saps the energy we could be productively using until we are literally good for nothing.  Rather than face things as they happen--we are dwelling on the what might happen.  Such a waste of time and energy.

One of the sermons in our current series defined anxiety as being "What might happen"

Then there is the moment when we are in the midst of danger, turmoil, chaos or strife.  My body has a strange reaction to periods of actual danger or threat of harm.  In the moment, I am fine---it is after all is said and done that I fall apart.  Last night one of my  alarms went off at 2:00 AM.  I immediately sprang from the bed with my heart racing trying to determine what was on fire.  Thankfully it was a low battery indicator on the carbon monoxide indicator that proceeded to screech every 10 minutes for two hours (WHY is it always in the middle of the night--NOT in broad daylight?)  In the moment, I was fearful there was  something in this three story building with multiple apartments was on fire.  In the moment I was fearful, because I had been warned there was danger present.  

The sermon defined fear as "It's actually happening"

There is the distinct difference of something which possibly--might---maybe happen and being in the heat of the occurrence.  God also does not want us to be fearful--even in the midst of it really happening.  What are we going to do with all this fear and anxiety?  If God allows us to have these emotions, but does not want us to suffer from them, what are we supposed to do?

Look to The Word-

Anxiety- "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  Philippians 4:6-7

Fear- "Fear not, for I am with you: Be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you.  I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Anxiety & Fear- "Say to those who have anxious heart, 'Be strong; fear not! Behold your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God.  He will come and save you.' "  Isaiah 35:4

Bottom line---God desires for us to trust in Him---to leave our anxiety and fear behind--KNOWING He is faithfully with us---even in the worst of times~we can TRUST in HIM.  AND as you lean into Him time after time---it becomes easier and easier--based upon our experience that we CAN and SHOULD Trust HIm!