Anxiety – a Battle of Faith?

If you are feeling anxious about anything, one perspective to think about is that your anxiety is a battle of faith. This perspective was discussed by Dr. Charles Stanley in a recent sermon and has prompted me to consider how this perspective could be helpful.

First, it’s important to say that being a person of faith does not mean that you will never have any anxiety, or that feeling anxiety should be taken to mean that you do not have faith. Instead, being a person of faith means that you have it in your power to get the anxiety under control more quickly than you otherwise would.

Dr. Stanley’s Bible reference was Philippians 4:6-7, which itself is very useful for activating the power to overcome anxiety. The two verses read: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” That is how the New International Version has it. The Amplified Bible stretches that out a bit: “6Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.  7And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

The way to do battle against anxiety is to memorize those two verses (in whatever Bible version or translation you prefer), then repeat them to yourself on any occasion in which you are feeling anxious. You will find your faith bolstered and your anxiety calmed.