Is it possible to live without anxiety, worry or fear?
Anxiety
- According to the Texas UT Counseling and Mental Health Center, “Anxiety is hardwired into our brains…It is a normal response to uncertainty, trouble, or feeling unprepared.”
- According to the Bible, 1 Peter 5:7 NLT states, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Worry
- “There is probably is a biological component to chronic worry, but there is also an early environment component,” agrees Sandy Taub, PsyD, a psychoanalyst in private practice in Wilmington, Delaware.
- In Matthew 11:28 NLT, Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Fear
- Simple definition: To be afraid of actual/perceived danger or threat; extended to pursuing dreams, progressing in one’s career, or facing new or unfamiliar situations.
- There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has torment, and he that fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 Darby
As I researched my question of living without anxiety, worry or fear; I was confronted with an overabundance of rationalizations, and reasons why a peaceful state of mind is not possible. The explanation that stood out blatantly was the fact that I was raised by an overprotective mother. While that may sound reasonable to many, I doubt that my upbringing has caused many sleepless nights due to a worrisome state of mind. My condition only worsened as I matured to middle age. Any change in my normal daily pattern caused an increased level of discomfort as I attempted to deescalate my level of stress-due to anxiety and worry.
When my contractual period of employment ended, I can remember sitting on the side of my bed, balancing my bank account. As much as I claimed to believe in God, I breathed out a short prayer telling God that I didn’t know what to do, now that I was not working. In less than a minute, I received a Daily Devotional notification on my cell phone that stated, “Make your day better. Read Matthew 6: 25-34.” Since this is one of my favorite Bible texts, I was already aware of what Christ instructed us not to do-Do Not Worry. I could not control the tears that flowed as I read the promises for my life. All I had to do was to believe.
During my season of unemployment, I have come to realize the reason that I had lived with insomnia for years was due to relationship issues. I did not believe that God would really stand by his Word; so, I failed to pray and study diligently. The result of self-reliance was brokenness and its byproducts-anxiety, worry, and fear. When I relied on my achievements, the faith and trust that God deserved were displaced. In spite of my disbelief, God reminded me of the importance of strengthening my relationship with Him. My prayer life is improving; I am sleeping much better; and I can achieve a peaceful state of mind-free of all anxiety, worry, and fear. Only believe.
Do Not Worry- Matthew 6: 25-34 NIV
25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
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