3 Of The Best Biblical Antidotes For Anxiety
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I’ve had a lot of anxiety this week. While the reasons for it are numerous - stress, the return to our school routine after 2 weeks off, and some big looming life decisions - I knew I needed to do something to get back on top of the nervous, panicky feeling that I dislike so much.
Now, I don’t at all pretend to be an authority in overcoming anxiety. It’s something I’ve struggled with all my life, and it is almost always lurking in the back corner of my mind, ready to overwhelm me if given the opportunity.
But this week, I found 3 of the best Biblical antidotes for anxiety, and they helped me so greatly that I knew I needed to share them with you. These aren’t profound. They aren’t jaw-droppingly new. But they are straight from God’s Word, and sometimes, we just need a gentle reminder to tap into the tools that the Lord has already equipped us with.
Meditate on God’s attributes
I’ve long loved studying the attributes of God. I have an ever-growing list of them that I add to whenever I learn about or hear of another that I’ve not previously jotted down. And this week, I discovered something amazing, something I should have realized much sooner in life: by focusing on who and what God is, I immediately stop fixating on the small and momentary trials of this life, the things that trigger my anxiety.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 alludes to this phenomenon, so it’s something I should have recognized years ago.
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” - 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, NKJV
While I have long known that turning my eyes on Jesus is something every Christian needs to do, but as is so often the case, it was a tool that I hadn’t remembered to use before in high-anxiety situations. My hope is that I will get better at jumping to this tool as soon as those panicky feelings start rising up.
When you encounter anxiety, why not consider who God is and what He says about Himself in His Word? It made a huge impact on how I was able to deal with my anxiety, and I am confident that doing so will bless you in a similar way.
Dwell on God’s promises
May I confess something? When my friend Arabah Joy challenged her readers to pray through God’s promises, I honestly couldn’t come up with very many. Even though I’ve been a Christian for many years and have studied a lot of theology, I haven’t given a lot of thought to the specific promises we have from our Heavenly Father. How sad!
So when my most recent bout of anxiety flared up, I decided to dig into the promises in Scripture. A quick Google search revealed that there are wide discrepancies as to just how many promises are in God’s Word. One site stated that there were 3573, while another posted that there are actually 5467. No matter what the exact number, my takeaway was that God’s promises numbered in the thousands. There is comfort in that realization alone!
Now, one thing to keep in mind when dwelling on God’s promises is that some of them are specific to certain people and places and may or may not directly apply to us today (for example, God promised the Promised Land directly to the nation of Israel). We need to take care not to misapply a Bible promise to ourselves that was never meant for us. That said, many of God’s promises, even those that are specific to individuals, can show us His nature and can have meaning for us, too.
Another incredible discovery I made when dwelling on God’s promises was how many of them paralleled so well with my study on His attributes. For example, in Jeremiah 31:3, God promises that He loves the nation of Israel (and us as well), and in so saying, He also mentions His everlasting nature and His lovingkindness:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” - Jeremiah 31:3B, NKJV
Some of my favorite promises in Scripture that I chose to dwell on during my anxiety last week:
“…For He Himself has said, ‘never will I leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” - Hebrews 13:5-6, NKJV
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.” - Isaiah 43:2, NKJV
“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’” - John 8:12, NKJV
There are thousands more promises like these. I would encourage you to sit down and write out a few that minister to you. Think on them; study them; dwell on them; and let them encourage your heart!
Focus on prayer
I’m convinced that far too many Christians do not pray nearly as much as we should be! Prayer is SUCH a blessing and an incredible antidote to anxiety. The Psalmist often poured out his heart to the Lord, sometimes starting out a Psalm in the pit of despair, but by the end always reaching the conclusion that God was good and just, and in that the Psalmist could trust. The same is true for us.
When anxiety hits, I often work myself up into a frenzy before realizing that I’ve not stopped to pray about the matter. My goal is to pray first and foremost, and if I am still feeling anxious, to ask a few close friends to join me in praying. This has been another amazing antidote to my panicky nature.
I’ve found that it really helps me when I begin by praising God for who He is and for His goodness (one of His amazing attributes). By focusing on Him instead of on my problems, it immediately calms my spirit. I also ask that if it be His will, He will remove or resolve whatever it is that is troubling me, knowing that He has the power to do it, but also keeping in mind that He has allowed it in my life for a purpose. Thanking Him for permitting me the discomfort has also helped in easing my anxiety as well.
I’m so grateful for the gift of prayer, especially as it relates to calming anxiety. If you’re struggling with worry, stop and pray about the situation. Ask the Holy Spirit for His peace, and take courage that He is with you in every situation.
Anxiety is not always easy to overcome, and it affects millions of us. As Christians, we have several beautiful benefits we can tap into when it hits. By meditating on God’s attributes, dwelling on His promises, and focusing on prayer, we can get our focus off of ourselves and our circumstances and onto the One who holds the world - and all of its events and situations - in His hands.
Have you tried one or more of these biblical antidotes? What has worked the best in your life? Share with us in the comments below!
