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Reducing Anxiety

By Wily Elder

"Worry is like advance payment made on a debt that never comes due" (a quote from the movie, The Spanish Prisoner.)

In today's world there is no shortage of anxiety. There are many things to be anxious about: rent, mortgage payments, property taxes, income taxes, health, security, crime, germ warfare, child care, education, interpersonal relationships, disease, pain, death, etc.

We, as humans, have built-in fail-safe systems. Caution is one such system. Between reasonable caution and unreasonable panic there is anxiety. It is a human condition that has an effect on all of us. It takes its toll on us mentally and, at times, physically. Physical problems can develop as a result of an inordinate amount of anxiety.

"A merry spirit does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones" (Proverbs 17:22).

Generally, it is important to focus on what it is in our life that is causing us anxiety and adjust our life accordingly.

If we can change our lives in some way (move to a different location, stay away from anxiety-producing individuals, get a different job, etc.) we may automatically reduce the anxiety by withdrawing ourselves from what is causing the anxiety.

Sometimes it is necessary for us to acknowledge that we have allowed ourselves to become too sensitive to people around us who are all too willing to make us anxious. Of course, we need to differentiate between this situation and situations in which friends or relatives are simply getting us to face a problem that has to be faced regardless of the anxiety produced. For this reason it is important to note who can be trusted to guide you in this way. People who have always given you good help in the past should be considered as more trustworthy than people who have failed you.

Anxiety tends to be less of a problem for people who take a few minutes every day to stop and relax and mentally shut out the obligations and distractions of life.

Give yourself breaks. Allow yourself time to relax. There is, of course, a happy medium between giving yourself time to relax and being lazy. Being lazy and not working can be very anxiety-provoking because you may have to depend on others for your survival. And if you depend on others for your survival, those others may cause you anxiety. If you enjoy being independent, then losing your independence is not going to reduce your anxiety.

When anxiety is a major problem, it is necessary for you to keep track of your progress. Figure a scale of one to ten with ten being the most anxious you could ever be. Rate yourself each day and then reflect on what it was that caused the increase or decrease in anxiety.

As a last resort you may call on counselors, psychologists, and behaviorists to help with the problem. Keep in mind, however, that this help from others also has limitations. Someone else may provide you with a perfect solution. Or it can be a case of too many cooks spoil the broth. After all, only you have the in-dept perspective of your anxiety. You will always be the key agent in solving the problem.

Anxiety is generally a problem that continues to increase as we age. However, in this day and age, even the young are faced with the problem of needing to reduce anxiety.

The Gospel of the Kingdom, which Christ brought, contains the promise of leadership roles for those who overcome (Luke 19:17 and Revelation 2:26). However, contained within the message, there is also the transcendent message of the acquisition of peace of mind. That benefit is for the here and now. If we have peace of mind now we will be more likely to receive the fulfillment of the promises that the Father fully intends for his sons and daughters to benefit from.

Christ said we should take no thought about what we should eat, what we should drink, what we should wear (Matthew 6:31). The King James word "thought" is from the Greek word "merimnao", which is better rendered as "anxious thought" within the context. In other words, we should not be anxious.

We should seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness (verse 33).

"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof" (Matthew 6:34).

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). This peace comes through the Holy Spirit, the comforter (verse 26), extinguishing anxiety and storing our lessons (what we have been taught) in our memory banks.

To a great extent, anxiety increases by buying into this world's consciousness. This world's consciousness is increasingly devoid of standards for human behavior. Moral relativism and Godless humanism is growing like a cancer. Liberal ministers around the world teach that God's law is abolished. But God's way is the way of give. The Holy Spirit is given by God to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32). The first 4 commandments show us how to love God. The last 6 show us how to love each other.

Is it evident that linking to the Father and focusing our attention on the kingdom has the automatic effect of reducing anxiety? This is a small part of the lesson of Martha and Mary.

What did Christ say? "...Martha, Martha, you are careful and troubled about many things" (Luke 10:41). She was not just troubled about the household duties. The King James word "careful" is the same Greek word "merimnao", meaning "anxious". The King James word "troubled" is the Greek word "turbazo", meaning "mentally disturbed". Christ told her she was anxious and mentally disturbed. She was willing to invite him into the house. But her service was from a sense of duty, not a genuine desire to give of herself. But Mary knew the importance of Christ's visit and was taking full advantage of it (verse 42).

Hasn't the same thing been a problem in today's world? Actually it is worse in today's world. It is so easy to get into a routine that has developed into a sense of duty even when it was originally an inspiration to perform. When that situation develops, there is anxiety. We need to stop and become passively of aware of why we do what we do.

The peace of mind that is available through Christ is not simply a peace that keeps the mind quiet or inactive, but a peace that changes the quality of the mind and the direction of the thought patterns.

"But the comforter, [which is] the Holy Spirit...shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, what ever I have said unto you" (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit is the comforter, the paracletos, the power of God. The Greek word "paracletos" means "called to one's side". It suggests the capability or adaptability for giving aid. The Spirit of God provides help as a comforter. God's Holy Spirit is the presence of God (Psalms 51:11 and Psalms 139:7), which has the function of giving us a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

"Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in me" (John 14:1).

"Fear not, little flock. It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32).

"Be careful {anxious} for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

"Come unto me all [you] that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke [is] easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

-- wilyelder

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