Cast Your Anxieties Upon Christ
Christ has invited us to cast our anxieties on Him, because He cares for us (1 Pet. 5:7). This means that we have to humble ourselves by surrendering our ways and submit to His ways. The following steps will help you overcome anxiety:
The first thing a Christian does about anything is pray. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). Lord, I come humbly before your presence as your child. I acknowledge my dependence upon you and I ask for your divine guidance. Show me what I am responsible for and what I am not. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and guide me into all truth. I ask for your peace to guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus. Second, resolve all personal and spiritual conflicts by submitting to God and resisting the devil (James 4:7) through genuine repentance (see the Steps to Freedom in Christ). The purpose is to make sure your heart is right with God and to eliminate any possible influence of the devil on your mind. Third, state the problem. What are you anxious about? A problem well-stated is half-solved. In anxious states of mind, people can’t “see the forest for the trees”, so put the problem in perspective. What matters for eternity? Seek godly counsel if necessary, but do not turn to ungodly counsel or temporary cures. Fourth, separate the facts from the assumptions. People are not anxious about what they know, they are anxious about what they don’t know. People may be fearful of the facts, but not anxious. Fifth, determine what you have the right or the ability to control. Your duty in life and sense of worth is tied only to that for which you are responsible. If you aren’t living a responsible life, you should feel anxious. Don’t try to cast your responsibility on Christ; He will throw it back. But do cast your anxiety onto Him, because His integrity is at stake in meeting your needs – if you are living a responsible and righteous life. Sixth, list everything you can do that is related to the situation that is under your responsibility. What is the noble thing to do, i.e. how can you assume your responsibility in a dignified manner that is worthy of respect? What is the right thing to do? What is the morally pure thing to do? What could you do that would promote peace and good will? What could you do that would be positive and constructive rather than negative and destructive? Seventh, complete everything on your list. Then commit yourself to be a responsible person and fulfill your calling and obligations in life. Take every thought captive in obedience to Christ and keep your mind focused on what is true. Eighth, submit to God in prayer everything that lies outside of your responsibility and your right or ability to control. If you have fulfilled your responsibilities and you believe the truth, the rest is God’s responsibility. Any residual anxiety is probably due to assuming responsibilities that God never intended you to have.
Dr. Neil
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