by Alan Langstaff

Last week, we looked at the topic of Fear. This week, we will look at a related subject Anxiety. Indeed, they are closely related and part of the same family.

I do not claim to be an expert in this, but bearing in mind that, words only have the meaning we give to them. I see a broad distinction between Fear and Anxiety.

Fear is more specific.
Anxiety is more general.

So, fear can be related to specific situations and is often centered on a particular one – an example given last week was claustrophobia, the fear that is related to “an intense fear of an enclosed or confined space.” In many ways, the two are closely related (i.e., fear and anxiety) and thus they overlap.

Anxiety can affect individuals in a variety of ways, for which there may be many causes. Additionally, we have the picture of a person who can’t go to sleep because they are worrying or anxious about a particular situation. Simply telling yourself we should not be anxious about a problem doesn’t solve the problem and cause anxiety to go away.

There are many suggestions regarding how to deal with anxiety on the internet. You can check them out. In some cases, you may need the help of a Christian counselor.

During a time of anxiety (or worry), the body may experience a number of physical feelings, including:

a) increased heart rate;

b) shortness of breath;

c) sweating;
d) trembling;

e) dizziness;

and there are, of course, others to add to the list.

RUN TOWARDS THE ROAR

The thoughts here also apply to fear.

Back in the early 1980’s, I was the Australian representative for the PTL Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, when Jim Bakker was the President of the Network. We made T.V. shows there in Jim’s studio, and I am grateful for the help he gave to us producing an Australian version of the PTL Club.

On one of the programs, we had Tammy Bakker, Jim’s wife. She is famous for her story entitled “Run Towards the Roar.” 

She tells how, in Africa, she heard the lions had a way of catching young animals for food. A group of, say, deer would be feeding in a pasture, and the lions would not just come against them. Rather, they had the older members of their clan wait in the brushes opposite. The old lions would jump out and roar as loudly as they could, and the deer would run away from the roar straight into the jaws of the waiting younger lions. If only they knew that they should do the opposite and “run towards the roar.”

Tammy, speaking out of her own experience, described how she had learned that the secret was to run towards the roar.

Many of the things we worry about don’t even happen, and if we face the problems and don’t run away from them – i.e., run towards the roar – we will find victory by God’s grace.

JESUS & ANXIETY

Jesus, early in His ministry, gave us what we call “The Sermon on the Mount.” In a section we could title “Do Not Worry,” He speaks about some of the things people worry about – what they should eat, or drink, what they should wear. He calls people to observe the birds of the air, which neither sew or reap. He concludes that section by saying:

“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34 NKJV)

In other words, live one day at a time. Don’t worry. God is in control.

HOW TO DEAL WITH ANXIETY

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has a simple but powerful article on this subject. Here it is:

“We’re all prone to anxiety and worry, and simply telling ourselves that we shouldn’t worry about a problem we’re facing won’t make it go away. It may even make things worse by keeping us from doing something about it.

But the Bible gives us a specific cure for anxiety — and that is to trust God and turn our worries and anxieties over to Him. Think of it this way. Imagine for a moment that a worry is a heavy burden you’re carrying on your back (like a backpack filled with rocks). Wishing it will go away won’t solve the problem, nor will simply hoping the burden will grow lighter. But suppose you meet someone who’s obviously stronger than you, and he offers to take the burden off your back and carry it for you. What would you do? It would be foolish for you to keep carrying that anxiety; instead, you’d gladly hand it over to him.

And that’s what God wants us to do with our burdens — hand them over to Him in faith and trust. He knows all about us; He knows our problems, and He knows all about the things that concern us. Furthermore, He loves us, and He wants to help us. The Bible says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

When anxiety comes — and it will — learn to hand it over to Jesus Christ. He can be trusted to guide you, and He will give you His peace.

[Write to us and] we’ll send you “The Cure for Anxiety,” a powerful sermon from Billy Graham featuring Biblical answers on anxiety—and practical solutions on how to defeat your anxiousness and enjoy the security found only in Jesus Christ and He will give you His peace.”

(by Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)

CLOSING THOUGHT

I trust these last two Langstaff Letters on Fear and Anxiety have been a help to you. May God, by His Word and by His Spirit, give you the victory over fear and anxiety.

FURTHER SCRIPTURES TO STAND ON

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
(Psalm 55:22 NIV)

“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 NIV)

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
(Psalm 46:1 NIV)

“God has not given us a spirit of fear [or anxiety], but of love and of power and of a sound mind.”
(2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV)