We’ve probably all felt it. The blood that suddenly rushes throughout your body when your mind tells you there is impending doom. The sense of nervousness and racing thoughts about what might lie just ahead. Yes, anxiety. But since when did anxiety become something that we accept and allow to dictate our day, our work environments, our homes, our schools and our world?
Don’t get me wrong I know too well the grip of anxiety: the torment, the confinement, the overwhelming power of its grip. Anxiety is very real.
But what if I told you that anxiety doesn’t have to control your life and that there’s a way to break free from its chains?
The Bible tells us
God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind.
2 Tim 1:7
God has given us power, love and a sound mind, not fear.
Anxiety is fear. Fear of what might happen, even if we have no proof.
Fear doesn’t come from God. It’s not our friend. It is a liar. It speaks things that we have no evidence of. Unfounded lies about things that haven’t even happened.
The Bible says this about the devil:
When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
John 8:44b
The spirit of fear is sent from the devil. It is out to do the enemy’s work and his alone. Let’s expose anxiety for what it is: something straight from the enemy whose sole purpose is to steal, kill and destroy.
If you are struggling with anxiety know it is VERY real.
There is no condemnation.
Its grip is strong.
The torment is real.
The panic is real.
The freeze is real.
Anxiety is very real and it’s powerful.
It grips you and speaks in the night, or during the day. It doesn’t respect the clock.
But know this: it is not you.
You are not anxiety. You are not your anxious thoughts. You are not the fear that grips you. It feels your friend, but trust me it isn’t.
The Bible tells us fear is a liar. It is a snare. It is a spirit. It is not you.
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
Prov 29:25
Anxiety feels like it is our friend. It feels safe and as if it is there to look after you. But you must know this: it isn’t your friend, it does you no good. It is a snare and is out to trap you.
A snare is a device, often consisting of a noose for capturing things. You can barely see it (did you notice it in the post image?! I doubt you did!). It is something used to entrap or entangle animals unawares.
Just like a noose, anxiety might be around us lightly at first, but the enemy intends to slowly pull until our breath is gone.
Do not walk into the enemy’s snare. And if you already feel like you are in the grip of this snare, know it is not you and there is a way out. There is help.
They tell us fear keeps us safe:
It’s good to have fear-stops us from walking into the road
It’s good to have fear to stop us jumping off a tall ledge
It’s good to have fear so we don’t put our hand in a fire
But we do not need ANY fear.
No! We need discernment.
As a society we accomodate fear and anxiety. Reasonable adjustments in classrooms when children suffer anxiety to accomodate when it rears its ugly head. Yes, we need to care for our children but instead we should lock arms with them and walk with them to expel fear and anxiety, not accomodate its presence in our lives.
When anxiety strikes people need us to stand firm with them and fight with them until they are free from its grip.
We must conquer anxiety…it’s a spirit and it has no right to dictate our world. People need our strength to stand and keep standing against its vile attack. It is sent to snare. Let’s not accomodate it.
Let’s love those gripped by fear and anxiety. Let’s come close to them. Let’s love them deeply. Remember it’s not them. It’s a spirit influencing them. They don’t enjoy this, they don’t want to be gripped by this. Love them deeply because
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.
1 John 4:18
What if I am gripped by fear and anxiety?
You’re not alone. If you’re currently gripped by fear and anxiety, know that you’re not alone. Remember, it is temporary, and God has given you the power to overcome. Refuse to allow the enemy to pull the noose of anxiety and fear around you any more. Lean in and allow God to lavish you with His perfect love until fear and anxiety has no more hold.
Take the first step. Don’t let fear dictate your life. Expose it. Reach out to someone you trust. Share what is happening, seek support, and lean on the love and wisdom of others. Don’t settle for accomodating it, be determined to do whatever it takes to stand against anxiety until it no longer grips you.
Embrace God’s peace. Remember, God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. Turn to Him, and allow His perfect love to cast out all fear. Spend time in prayer, meditation, and reading His Word.
Practical steps can help. Journal your thoughts and ask whose language it is? The language of lies, fear and death or of love, hope and life? Seek the support of trusted godly family, friends or a counsellor. Remember anxiety is fear and is there to trap you and take life out of you. Reach out and do not allow it to steal, kill or destroy any more.
You are stronger than you think. Don’t let fear hold you back. With faith, hope, and perseverance, you can break free from its grip and experience the abundant life of freedom God has planned for you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:27
Together, we can unmask the enemy and set countless people free from the snare of anxiety. Share this post with someone who needs it. Let’s spread hope and empower each other to live a life free from fear.
