Anxiety is a tool of Satan. His goal is to get our eyes off of God and on our circumstances of life. Anxiety is defined as: a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome : desire to do something, typically accompanied by unease.
Since fear is the root of anxiety, we must look at scripture to understand that God does not want us to live in fear. “Fear not” is stated in the Bible in many places. 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV) 7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” We learn from this scripture that fear is not from God. If we are filled with anxiety (fear) about our life from experiences in the past or the unknown of the future, we need Bible based encouragement to trust God with every detail of our lives.
When I counsel people with anxiety, I let them know that it is based in spiritual warfare. We are in a continual warfare with the devil because he is the god of this world. We are living in his territory. He wants to rob us of our joy and peace in God. It is the battle of the mind. Satan wants us to focus on our life through our distorted emotions regarding painful experiences of life instead of looking at our life through God’s truth.
Does God truly care about the details of our lives? Yes!! Luke 12:7 “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” We must understand how much God loves us and that we are His special treasure.
I have experienced anxiety and realized it was because I was looking at a certain circumstance in my life from my fear base because I focused on the negative probability if a certain issue was not resolved. What we think definitely impacts our emotional and spiritual self. I prayed and prayed about the situation. I had to completely release the problem to God and start thanking Him for the answer. It was a moment-by-moment choice to trust my future to God.
My worry, anxiety and fear were based on the unknown future. When the devil dropped the negative thoughts in my mind, I would rebuke him in Jesus name saying, “Away with you Satan! I’m believing and trusting God for the answer!” It was one and one half years before that particular answer came, but it did come and it was a miracle!
In my counseling, we thoroughly look at the cause of the anxiety through God’s truth. What are the circumstances in the past or the present that is producing this fear? I’ve been counseling for 24 years using the Word of God to replace anxiety and fear with faith, healing and hope. God came to bring us salvation, to heal our brokenness and set us free of our ‘stinkin thinkin’ with His truth.
Ephesians 6: The Whole Armor of God
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.
Romans 12: 1 & 2 speaks to us about His Word – “be ye transformed by renewing your mind.” My counseling is based on applying God’s truth asking, “What is God’s truth about this?” You can be set free from anxiety when you learn how to use God’s Word as a sword to cut through the lies of the enemy! We can do all things through Christ who infuses His inner strength into us! It’s a choice to trust God one day at a time.
© Carol Clemans – April 2016
www.carolclemans.org – Certified Pastoral Counselor 24 years, Holy Spirit filled 61 years, Bible teacher 50 years, married-Rev. Harold Clemans 46 years, mother and miemie 41 years. Providing nationwide counseling by phone/Skype (636) 448-0121. Speaker of God’s truth for churches/conferences. Go to website for bio, 280+ articles, teaching CD’s & DVD’s, book: “God’s Design for Marriage.