OK…so may I just gently offer this thought in a day so rightly focused on mental health issues?
Anxiety is not a thing to be cured. It is not a disease. It is a symptom.
Anxiety is a SYMPTOM of a greater problem, which is separation from the quietness, rest, and trust found in the presence of God. Anxiety is a legitimate red-flag emotion that is meant to remind you of your inability to control your own life and move you back to reliance and trust in God. move you to the feet of Jesus. If you try to address the anxiety problem but not the root, you are missing the point.
Our emotions are meant to felt, not dulled out. The emotion and mental pattern of anxiety is meant to tell us there is an underlying problem. If you only treat the symptom, you will miss the point. The point is to fix the problem CAUSING anxiety. Address that problem, sit at His feet and listen to the Holy Spirit teach you and lead you through the Word of God and you will find anxiety is countered by the One thing necessary “sit at His feet and listen.” Do this “one necessary thing” every day (like medicine) and watch your healing begin.
Also this is not my prescription for anxiety…it’s God’s.
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who SAT AT THE LORD’S FEET & LISTENED to his teaching But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are ANXIOUS and troubled about many things, but…ONE THING IS NECESSARY. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her. Luke 10:38-42
What was Mary doing? She was sitting and listening. The invitation is to do this “one necessary thing” every day like medicine. It might not be an immediate healing (mine took about a year), but you will see a definite shift within a week or so. But more importantly than anxiety going away, you will get the core issue resolved–your love for Jesus will be rekindled and your true purpose (knowing Him and being known by Him) will come into focus.
One thing–two parts: 1) Sit at His Feet 2) Listen (this means you can ask Him your questions and expect a response!) One piece of advice here–stop asking Him so much about your future. Just ask Him what He wants to say to you for today…(the manna from heaven concept).
If you are struggling with anxiety, panic attacks or depression, please consider doing this AS MEDICATION. If you need someone to keep you accountable in this, be brave and ask–you may be leading them into healing too!
This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” Isaiah 30:15
