Growing Our Faith Through AnxietySample

Using the Anchor

David wrote a Psalm that says He searched for God, and God delivered him from all his fears. That’s incredible! Jesus rescues minds and renews lives. That’s the type of business Jesus is in. It seems that some people believe He is in the business of receiving perfect people but that’s completely incorrect. God sent Jesus to rescue you in salvation and grow you in your faith. Anxiety is an opportunity for spiritual growth. We grow when we trust Jesus who is our anchor. 

Do you know how to use the anchor? There are few things you can do with your anchor to help alleviate the stresses you are carrying. First, develop new habits. Make lifestyle changes. Anxiety is physiological and psychological, yet it also comes from a spiritual root. That being said, it affects our body. Ask yourself if your lifestyle is conducive for life. Is your schedule packed all the time? Do you constantly eat food that is unhealthy? Are you exercising? Do you sleep enough hours, or are you surviving on caffeine? Make lifestyle changes that will help you grow in your faith not in your fears.

Secondly, find good counseling and friendships. There’s a proverb that says, “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” Ask your church for counseling. Get involved in a Bible study. Connect with people that will encourage you. There is nothing wrong with needing counseling. Anybody in a high level of leadership is going to have to talk to someone at some point. Anybody can need therapy. 

Lastly, process the season with your heart. Heart work is soul work. Allow God to work in your heart. The truth is that if you do not allow Him to work in your heart, you will stuff it with anxiety. Eventually all that stress will leak and affect the relationships around you. Have you ever been so anxious that you get home and take it out on your kids? They’re just being kids but you’re leaking anger and negativity. We’ve got to do the heart work. I googled verses that talk about anxiety and have been reading them phrase by phrase. I’m not doing this because I’m in a horrible place, I’m actually in a better place because of this. Reading and meditating on the Word is great for the soul and heart. 

Let’s take anxiety as an opportunity to grow our faith, so that we can rise up, minister to others, and walk in strength with Him. The strength is not your will power, but God’s power through you.