Talking to God About My Anxiety

November 6, 2019

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

Feelings of worry and nervousness will inevitably cross your path as you journey through life. Things will happen that you don’t understand. You will be called to take risks when you don’t have a clue about the outcome. Anxiety will present itself over and over. But you don’t have to allow your anxieties to become permanent companions on the journey. The answer to anxieties is to go to God as soon as you sense anxiety approaching. Don’t wait. Pray immediately and ask for His strength to carry you.

Philippians 4:6has the first three steps to talk to God about your anxiety:

1. Pray about everything.Does it say only pray about the big problems? That’s our tendency too often. We try to handle everything we can by ourselves. But if I do what Philippians says and pray about everything, that really does include everything. God is strong enough to handle ALL my worries. When I sincerely talk to Him and give Him my worries, I can disentangle from the pressure I otherwise put on myself.

2. Tell God what you need.Don’t use the excuse that He already knows. Of course, He knows. He’s God. He knows more than you do already about your situation. He doesn’t need you to explain it to Him. When I tell Him about it, I am processing where I am and surrendering or giving it to Him. And, think about this: God is my good, good Father, and He wants me to always come to Him about everything. Even when I ramble on and can’t find the words, He probably just smiles and listens with love, and is glad that I feel comfortable coming to Him.

3. Thank Him for all He has done (and will do). Gratefulness goes a long way in addressing my anxieties. When I keep a long mental list of God’s faithfulness and all my blessings, they take the space my anxieties have occupied. I can keep a mental list of hopes and promises for my future. That fills up the place where fears try to live. Doubts will find no place to live.

Remember, God is very near to you. Psalm 23:4 says that even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid when I remember that the Lord is with me. I can remind myself often of this fact that God is indeed very near to me. Then I don’t have to worry about fighting off my enemies. I can simply let God be God. I remember that His goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.

• Read Psalm 23 sometime today. Meditate on the presence of God always, even in anxiety.