Anxiety and fear - how to interrupt the downward spiral

"Pray about it. At the first hint of an anxious thought, Take the thought captive. Don’t tolerate the devil, not even for a second." ~ Max Lucado Anxiety and Fear: How to Interrupt the Downward Spiral by Max Lucado, author of Anxious for Nothing     Anxiety is an out of control thought pattern. It settles over the mind like a severe weather system, spewing thunderclouds and casting lightning bolts. Life feels like an airplane in a tailspin. It feeds on what-ifs and worst-case scenarios. What if the coronavirus is unstoppable? What if a pandemic takes over? I’ll be quarantined for weeks! The economy is sliding into a bear market. I’ll lose my health. I’ll lose my job. I’ll lose it all. Down. Down. Down. Don’t give in to this thought pattern. It’s a sinkhole. Don’t catastrophize your way into quicksand. Take a deep breath and then… 1. Pray about it. At the first hint of an anxious thought, Take the thought captive. Don’t tolerate the devil, not even for a second. Lasso the anxious thought with a word of prayer. Lord, there is an intruder at the door! Please take over! 2. Identify the culprit. Generalities are not permitted. None of this: “I’m worried.” Get specific: Lord, I’m worried about the layoffs at work. Now, that’s better. But even more detailed: I’m worried that I will lose my job. Will I be able to find more work? Will we have to move? Specificity disarms anxiety. 3. Take a reality check. Is this a legitimate concern? Or is this a vague, ill-defined, rumor-fed possibility? They say layoffs are inevitable. Who are they? Don’t catastrophize your way into quicksand. 4. Take an action step. Assuming the concern is legitimate, what can you do? Make a list of two or three steps you can Resist the urge to try to solve everything immediately. 5.  Ask: “Can God solve this?” Is this challenge within His skill set? Is He overwhelmed by this setback? Are the angels pounding on the door of heaven trying to convince Him to come out of hiding? Is He resisting? I can’t handle this challenge. It is too great. I don’t know what to do! I’m stumped, stuck, and stalled out. No… I don’t think so either. God is never baffled or belittled. Take the problem to Him. Reflect on this verse: “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment, You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me, says the Lord” (Isaiah 54:17). And, pray it through: Lord, Thank you that “before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely” (Psalm 139:4).  Thank you that there are no surprises with you. Help me find deep comfort in the fact that you are unshockable and nothing is too great, too terrible, too large, or too heavy for you. Help me see the problems that I face today in light of how big you are.   Amen. Reprinted with permission from Max Lucado, originally published at FoxNews.com * * * Feed Your Faith and Your Fears Will Starve Free Helpful Resources Max Lucado has partnered with us to give you free, immediate access to all 5 videos in his Anxious for Nothing Bible Study! Maybe you or someone you know is really struggling right now with worry, anxiety, and fear and can use this message? Let them know about the teaching videos! More than anything, encourage others to get in the Word and study what God says about our worries and fears. This is a study through Philippians 4:4-8 and we can't think of a better way to redirect our thoughts right now. There are 5 video sessions, each under 20 minutes each: Rejoice in the Lord Always (Session One) Let Your Gentleness Be Evident to All (Session Two) Present Your Requests to God (Session Three) The Peace of God Will Guard Your Heart (Session Four) Meditate on These Things (Session Five) You can binge watch them in all one sitting. It's less time than a movie. All you need to do is register at www.faithgateway.com/obs to get immediate access to all five videos now through May 2. Our prayer is that these will be a blessing to you in these most challenging times. These helpful resources are also available for free: 12 Prayers For When You Feel Anxious to keep on hand when you feel like anxious thoughts are taking over. Art Printable of Philippians 4:6-7 as a constant reminder of God's love and to take your concerns to Him in prayer Max's C.A.L.M. Guide Sheet, which lays out Max's 4 steps to dealing with an anxiety attack or state of worry Sign up now and get the downloads. Get the Resources Companion Materials Max Lucado's New York Times bestselling book  Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World  Hardcover - regular: $22.99 Sale: $13.79 (40% off) Learn More   Study Guides and DVDs Study Guides as low as $7.79 Shop Now   In this five-session video Bible study, bestselling author Max Lucado explores God’s treatment plan for anxiety found in Philippians 4:4–8. As you follow this prescription – celebrating God’s goodness, asking for his help, leaving your concerns with him, and meditation on good things – you will experience God’s peace. This is a peace that “transcends all understanding” and will help you reframe the way you look at your fears. Learn more about the Anxious For Nothing Study Materials... FaithGateway ~ our mission is to help you grow and share your faith. © 2020 HarperCollins Christian Publishing. All Rights Reserved. 501 Nelson Place, Nashville, TN 37214, USA Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions

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