Anxiety

Battling with anxiety is a feeling of being engulfed in a thick mist. It takes away your vision, your direction and your hope. It’s as if you’re standing alone in a vast open space with no idea which way to go and no one in sight. In the midst of your turmoil, you call out to the Lord, even though it feels as if He can’t reach you. The enemy would like you to believe that no one can reach you in this lonely place of fear.

Have you ever felt this way? If you have, I would like to encourage you with the truth that the Lord is closer than you think or feel. He longs to bring freedom into your life, but you also need to walk the road of healing as He guides you along. It’s so important to trust the Lord for discernment when you’re battling with anxiety, because your thoughts become irrational. Start by asking Him to help you distinguish between His truth and the enemy’s lies, which have become a part of your belief system.

Today’s scripture reminds us again that the Lord knows us completely. Nothing is hidden from Him. Even if you feel unable to move forward, just take one small step by inviting Him into your anxiety and fear. You will find that He’s actually right there with you in the mist of your turmoil. His hand is stretched out to you in love and He’ll guide you from this place of anxiety into His freedom. You don’t have to do this on your own. He’ll meet you in that ‘vast open space’ and show you the way forward.

Once you realise that you’re not alone, hope begins to shine like a small flame that drives out the darkness. This hope grows as we choose to trust the Lord with our struggle – one step at a time. The enemy will try anything to steal our hope, because he knows that without hope we lose direction and vision. Hold on to the Lord and the promises He has for you, and believe the words He’s spoken over you. Allow His Word to be your compass and strength.

Jesus paid the price for our freedom at Calvary, and has won the victory over anything the enemy may throw at us. Even though fear and anxiety can be overwhelming, remind yourself of the cross and the finished work of Jesus. Trust the Holy Spirit who is in you: ‘Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have [already] overcome them [the agents of antichrist]; because He who is in you is greater that he (Satan) who is in the world [of sinful mankind]’ (1 John 4:4 AMP).

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You that I am safe with You and that I belong to You. I come to You in the midst of my anxiety and choose today to trust You to restore me into the freedom I have in You. I invite Your searching gaze into my heart. Examine me through and through; find out everything that may be hidden within me. Put me to the test and sift through all my anxious cares. See if there is any path of pain I’m walking on, and lead me back to Your glorious, everlasting ways – the path that brings me back to You. Amen.