It you let it, anxiety will destroy you.

Statistics say that 18.1% of Americans between the ages of 18-54 have been diagnosed with some kind of anxiety disorder.  That is approx. 40 Million people.  Although current estimates place the percentage around 30% because many people do not seek help or are misdiagnosed.

Add in to that the growing trend of children less than 18 that are being diagnosed with anxiety, not to mention those over 54 struggling with anxiety.

Did you know that there are 6 specific types of anxiety?  

 

General Anxiety

Social Anxiety

Specific Phobias

Panic Disorder

OCD - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

PTSD - Post traumatic Stress Disorder

 

One could get anxious just reading that list.  

 

According to “The Economic Burden of Anxiety Disorders”, a study commissioned by the ADAA, Anxiety disorders cost the U.S. more than $42 Billion a year.  

While certainly there are times that medication might be needed as prescribed by a doctor, realize that the Anti-anxiety medication business is a multi billion dollar industry.  Not to mention the use “non-sanctioned” use of other drugs, and certainly the use of alcoholic beverages to sedate our worries and fears.  

Anxiety is a real problem in America and in the world.  

 

It will destroy your joy.

I will destroy your peace.

It will destroy relationships.

It will destroy your health. 

It will destroy your life.  

  

So what does the Bible say about the topic?  Does it say anything at all?

Psalm 55:22 - Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee:  He shall never suffer (permit) the righteous to be moved (shaken)

Worry is what happens when you structure your life around temporal things.  In other words, Worry can consume you when you attach your worth, and happiness, and satisfaction in the things of the world.  

If you can misplace it, if markets can devour it, if rust can ruin it, or if thieves can steal it, don’t anchor your life with it.  

Matthew 6:20 says:  Don’t collect treasures on earth...but rather work to collect for yourselves 

treasures in heaven.

Follow these steps to avoid the destruction of Anxiety.

 

1. Don’t trust in man or in man’s systems, but rather trust in God from the beginning.  Trust him for your daily needs and rely on His faithfulness to provide for you as he has promised.  Because He cares so much for you.  
2. Learn to Burden Cast. - When you do have a concern, trouble, or fear, cast in on the Lord.  He is big enough to carry your heavy load.  Less worry means more room for happiness and peace.  
3. When you are tempted to worry, repent.  Ask God for forgiveness from the sin of worrying and lacking faith and trust.  He loves you and has promised to forgive you.  Giving you one less thing to worry about.
4. Rejoice in the fact that you have given God the responsibility of care of you and all that you have.  Rejoice in the  realization of how big God is and how much He loves you.  Because there is nothing to big for God and no love greater than His for you, you will realize too that his plans for you are for your betterment.  
5. Finally, remember to hold on to things in this world lightly and hold on to God and his treasures tightly.  

 

Don’t worry or it just might be the death of you.  Trust God instead.