August 3, 2018
3 Ways to Wreck Anxiety and Fear
Kelly Balarie
Today’s Truth
For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight (Ephesians 1:4, NIV).
Friend to Friend
I looked down at the empty box of cookies stashed in the trash. I just devoured them. The more I started at the box, the more it reminded me, if I left it there, I’d likely be caught red-handed. So, I did what any smart sweet-toothed woman would do – I dug deep into the yuck and hid the “evidence.” However, as I stepped back, to catch a glimpse of the trash bin from various angles, all I could see, taste and feel was guilt:
What if my husband hid “evidence” like I do?
What if I continue to eat and eat and eat?
What if I start to hide in other ways?
Anxiety feels not only like sweat, but also like a heart that beats out loud. It pounds and pounds until you’re certain your biggest fears, strongest worries and largest inadequacies will sound in unison and come crashing down.
What makes your anxiety come alive? Social situations? Dwindling finances? Health concerns? Relational issues? Your weight? Your future? Your past?
Anxiety speaks like a dictator and lives like bondage. Jesus speaks like peace and brings deliverance to life.
Clearly, we want Jesus. So, how do we listen to truth when we’re being eaten alive by anxiety? This is what I’ve been pondering, because I am tired of bowing down to my emotions. I am tired of fearing life, rather than receiving the fullness of God. And, I am tired of the tirade that plays out in my mind.
I’ve found breakthrough in this verse: For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:4
3 Ways to Wreck Anxiety and Fear
1. Acknowledge: God chose you. This means, out of all the millions of people He could have created, could have desired and could have accepted – by grace, He set His affections on you.
2. Accept: You are holy. By the sacrifice of Jesus, even in your worry, wrestling and hand writhing, God sees you as radiant and resplendent. You are his walking glory!
3. Affirm: You are blameless in His sight. Because Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, you can walk as an imperfect woman, covered by His heart-aching death on the cross.
The best way to beat fear is to not fear it. The best way to beat fear is to acknowledge it, repent of it and then douse it with love. It can’t rage under the power of the Living Water (Jo. 4:14). It can’t thrive under the light of truth. It can’t strengthen when submitted to the God of all strength.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment… (1 John 4:18)
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, thank You. Thank You that You see us as holy and blameless. Thank You that You want us. Thank You that, because of your sacrifice, You see us as radiant. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. We accept this as truth and we will walk by this truth today. We love You.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Anxiety is an invasive bully. It gets in your face and then under your skin, telling you you’re about to face ruin.
God tends to us in a different way. What does 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 tell you about how God approaches you?
More from the Girlfriends
Kelly Balarie, blogger at Purposeful Faith and author of “Fear Fighting: Awakening the Courage to Overcome Your Fears” is passionate about joining hands with women who often find themselves stuck in the pits of life. Step-by-step, word-by-word, her dream is that together they can emerge better - fear, fret and panic-free. Get all of Kelly’s Purposeful Faith blog posts by email for a dose of inspiration and encouragement.
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