For the Anxious Heart

anxious

F O R

T H E

H E A R T

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5

D A Y

D E V O T I O N A L

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B E C O M I N G

M A G A Z I N E

Anxiety can be debilitating. I know that there are people who are clinically diagnosed with anxiety, but there are still others of us who dance in and out of this state with every changing circumstance. Over the years I've come to learn that alot of my anxiety is rooted in fear and lies. And more than often the very things I am anxious about turn out to be no real threat at all. It is my prayer that the pages of this journal serve as encouragement to you. You CAN overcome your anxious thoughts. You CAN be free.

- shantĂŠ stubbs

EDITOR IN CHIEF, BECOMING MAGAZINE

Day 1 What are some anxious thoughts that crowd your mind? Maybe they might be thoughts of

failure,

thoughts

of

past

mistakes,

thoughts filled with fear of the future. Why are you so anxious? I challenge you to sit and journal below some reasons you feel anxious in this very moment. What would your life look like if you were less anxious or not anxious at all?

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."

Proverbs 3:5-6

Day 2 God's word advises that we should be anxious for nothing. In other words nothing should have so much power over us that we are debilitated and overcome by it. Instead we are told to pray and bring our requests before God. How often do we take prayer for granted? How often

do

we

overlook

the

power

and

effectiveness of prayer? The scripture below explains that when we pray about our anxieties, something else takes its place, the peace of God.

"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."

Philippians 4:6-7

Day 3 "Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." This verse has always stood out to me. But not until lately have I come to realise that in this scripture we are given a command "do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid". Jesus says these words almost as if we have a choice. Hmm. How can I not let my heart be troubled when my fears and anxieties feel more real than this scripture? How can I not be afraid when the world around me is crumbling? This scripture is proof that we have some sort of say. We have some sort of control. What are you focusing on? What thoughts are you allowing to crowd your mind? Today work on replacing those thoughts with truths from God's word. Worried about the future? Try replacing those worried thoughts with scriptures like Jeremiah 29:11.

Our thoughts and what we choose to focus on plays a major role in the anxiety that cripples us daily. Today work towards changing the way you think about certain things. Rather than seeing the cup half empty, maybe try deeming it, half full.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

John 14:27

Day 4 Where did that fear come from? Seriously, ask yourself that question. If God did not give you the spirit of fear where did it come from? I don't know about you, but I don't want anything that God did not give me. Today take some time to think about why you are so afraid.

Why does fear have such a tight grip on you?

Journal

below

and

remind

yourself

of

2

Timothy 1:7.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and selfdiscipline."

2 Timothy 1: 7

Day 5 Freedom. Doesn't that sound completely in opposition to anxiety? Doesn't that sound desirable? Anxiety keeps us bound.

Anxiety

makes us feel hopeless. Galatians 5:1 reminds us that Christ has set us free for freedom, not to be burdened with fear and anxiety. This freedom is available to you in this

very

moment. Remind yourself that you have access to freedom. Remind yourself that anxiety and fear have no control over you. You were created for more.

"It was for this freedom that Christ set us free [completely liberating us]; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery [which you once removed]."

Galatians 5:1