How dwelling on scripture ‘flicks off the worry-switch’

Anxiety. Something familiar to many of us to one degree or another. A mild unease while waiting for a dental check-up, perhaps. Worry before sitting an exam. Gnawing dread in the run up to redundancy announcements. Sheer terror if we’re caught in the path of a hurricane.

I can relate to this scale. I’ve felt apprehensive before a smear test and battled nerves while preaching. For a few years in my twenties, I worried incessantly about gaining weight if I ate a mere morsel more than my strict (anorexia-induced) diet permitted.

And while my abusive ex rattled my locked bedroom door, my hands shook, terrorised by fear as I tried to hide the carving knife that he’d earlier snatched from the kitchen.

When arriving late at night in Hong Kong and my non-English-speaking taxi-driver garbled something incomprehensible while pointing for me to exit the car on an isolated street, panic gripped as I watched his tail lights disappear round the next bend. And while my abusive ex rattled my locked bedroom door, my hands shook, terrorised by fear as I tried to hide the carving knife that he’d earlier snatched from the kitchen. I could add dozens of other mild to severe examples, but anxiety for some can be an unwelcome daily companion.

 I am simply responding to anxiety inflamed by, for example, negative, unproved or irrational assumptions; anxiety that clouds clear thinking, plays havoc with emotions

There are times when it is imperative we respond to pure fear because it is a God-given gift; warning us to prepare for or protect ourselves from imminent danger. Some of us may need professional counselling to help us manage debilitating thoughts and emotions, or medication to treat any chemical imbalance that can cause anxiety disorders. I am not a medic, so this piece should not bypass seeking vital support where necessary. I am simply responding to anxiety inflamed by, for example, negative, unproved or irrational assumptions; anxiety that clouds clear thinking, plays havoc with emotions, belittles self-worth, steals sleep and potentially undermines our physical health. Anxiety that was once that unwelcome intruder in too many of my days – and nights.

Jesus said he came to infuse our lives with peace, telling us not to be troubled or afraid (John 14:27). Ha! It sounds so easy. But merely telling ourselves to stop worrying may not be effective, whereas dwelling on a verse of scripture will flick off the ‘worry switch’. The Bible repeatedly says, ‘Do not be afraid’, but my go-to verse is from Paul, in Philippians 4:6–7: ‘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.’

Paul begins by echoing Jesus’ words, ‘do let your hearts be troubled’, the bit we might find difficult to put into practice. But then he offers some practical help: ‘in every situation’ (emphasis mine), talk to God about what’s troubling you, ask him for what you think you need or want, but then thank him. Thank him for listening. Thank him for caring. Thank him for knowing the best way of guiding you, supporting you, and if he so chooses, for intervening. As we talk through our worries with God with grateful, trusting hearts, the door of our soul opens wide to be filled with his promised peace.

Whether you need to respond to this promise once or repeatedly through the day, God’s peace will diffuse your anxiety; it will calm and console. His peace will clarify thoughts to help you make necessary decisions. And in turn you will carry his peace into the room, the office, the social media feed, to encourage and reassure others.

Anne’s latest book is: Dwell - Inviting God’s word to make a home in our lives, one day at a time (Pub. Authentic Media Ltd) This 365-day devotional encourages us to dwell in a verse of scripture for an entire week and is available for pre-order at your local or online Christian bookstores and Amazon.

You can find out more at https://anneletissier.com/books/

If any of these issues have affected you, you can call Premier Lifeline for support. Premier Lifeline is a national, confidential helpline offering a listening ear, emotional and spiritual support from a Christian perspective. If you would like someone to talk with and pray for you, call Premier Lifeline on 0300 111 0101.