When you are anxious you are thinking about who you should be, but when you are at peace you are thinking about who you actually are. Anxiety says you should be in control. Peace says you are a child of God and He is in control. Anxiety says you should be perfect or at least better. Peace says you are perfect and righteous in the eyes of God because of Christ in you. Anxiety says you should be smarter and have more answers. Peace says you belong to the one who knows everything and He can be trusted. Anxiety says you should be there for everyone. Peace says God is there for everyone and you only need to be there for those who God assigns to you. Anxiety says you should be more accepted by others. Peace says you are accepted by God and not everyone will like you and that’s okay. When you are anxious you are thinking about who you should be, but when you are at peace you are thinking about who you actually are in Christ. Continue reading
Category: Emotional Discipleship
You anxiety is talking to you. Your anxiety is trying to convince you that if you don’t do something then something bad will happen or it will not get done right. You are the only one who can do this. Your anxiety will tell you that you are not good enough and you are not worthy enough and that’s why people leave you. Your anxiety wants you to believe that if you have enough information, knowledge, and wisdom then you will have all the answer then you will be successful and people will like you. Anxiety will work you to death by convincing you that you have to be there for everyone and that you are less of a person if you say no. Anxiety wants you to believe that you must make everyone happy and you need their approval and acceptance to be happy. Continue reading
Over the years I’ve had great men and women of God come to me and say, “Pastor, I am a follower of Jesus. I pray, read God’s Word, worship with other believers, and I’m involved in ministry and helping others grow spiritually. I love Jesus. Yet, I struggle with anxiety. I feel worried about things I shouldn’t worry about, and I can’t relax. Is there something wrong with me? I don’t know any other Christians who struggle with discouragement as much as I do. Things can be going great and yet on the inside I feel afraid and anxious. I feel like I’m not in control.” Does that sound like you or someone you know? God is keenly aware that His people struggle with anxiety. One of the first steps in managing anxiety is to recognize it when it is present. The earlier you are able to recognize it the sooner you can apply God’s help to your unique anxiety.[i] Continue reading
Anxiety exists and spreads in four spaces: the space in you, the space between you and another, the space inside the other, and the space between others. Once you become aware of these four spaces you can begin to manage them. The sooner you can identify them, the sooner you can be calm and present, available to serve and bless others. Continue reading
Anxiety is part Chicken Little and part Eeyore. You think the sky is falling and it’s falling disproportionately on you.[i] Anxiety is a meteor shower of what-ifs. It is trepidation, suspicion and apprehension. Anxiety is a free-floating sense of uneasiness and nervousness about what is happening or what could happen. For some it feels like worry or fear. Afraid of what might happen. Worried if they don’t take control things will get worse. Anxiety can be over little things like a cluttered room or big things like the failing health of someone you love.
In this series of articles, I want to address several questions: What is anxiety? Where do I find anxiety? How can I recognize anxiety in my life? What are the sources of anxiety internally and relationally? Most importantly, what does God have to say about my anxiety and managing it? In this article I will address the meaning of anxiety. Continue reading
The feeling of being offended is a warning indicator that reveals to you where to look within yourself for unresolved issues. Throughout your life you are going to be offended. People will say or do things intentionally or unintentionally that will hurt your feelings, attack your honor, and strike at your values. As a follower of Jesus, it is crucial that you learn how to manage the emotions that come with being offended for your protection, the relationship with those who offend you, and the glory of God.
In this article, I want to address what God’s Word says about being offended along with three important questions: What does being offended mean? Why are people easily offended? And how can I manage my emotions when offended? Continue reading