Bible Studies

Anxiety

Introduction

It can be so easy to worry about every little thing that doesn't go as we planned. It can also be hard to remember that God has a plan for our lives when we're distracted by all these tiny details of our lives. If you're feeling helpless in certain areas of your life right now (or maybe even in all of it), then keep on reading. I will share with you tips I've learned that can help you to worry less about the things that don't truly matter and focus more on God as a result. With that, let's start with Part 1.

Part 1

Welcome to Part 1 of my bible study about anxiety. As I explained in the introduction, it's designed to help you cope with the stressors in your life by following ideas and examples in the bible. Now, I'm no psychological expert on how anxiety affects the brain and all that, but I know that you have to deal with it in a positive manner so it doesn't rule your life and place your focus on what matters most: God.

In case you're the kind of person who values summarized bullet points, the key point for Part 1 is this: remember that earth is your temporary home. As God's children, we were not made to live on this earth forever. Our final destination is heaven, so think of our time on earth as a visit. We're just passing through, not meant to stay forever. So really find what's important so you can spend your life doing something worthwhile.

In other words, change your focus. If you have friends who don't follow Christ, then you know that they can spend a lot if time complaining and focusing on the negative things in their lives. Now I'm not saying that we (those who follow Christ) are incapable of complaining or that we're immune to it. In fact, we can choose to complain a lot if we really want to, but think about this: why would we?

I know it can be easy to forget, but most of us have very simple things such as food and water that not everyone has access to. Instead of complaining and worrying about what we don't have, let's change our mindsets and think positive thoughts. Remember all that God has done for you, and let those worries wash away. I want to share a verse with you about thinking differently to deal with anxiety.
Romans 12:2 tells us, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will."

This verse pleads with us to think differently than how society has taught us to think. It advises us to let ourselves be transformed. I want you to really focus on that word: transformed. The word ultimately means that something goes through a dramatic change. It doesn't necessarily become something different, but it can improve, be better than what it once was.

God offers us the chance to think different, be different, and that is something amazing I think we take for granted. You see, most people want to be normal, they want to fit in. Me? I prefer to do things that normal people wouldn't do. Have you ever dressed up in a box for Halloween? Maybe. How about at your school? Okay. Was it high school? Yeah, that's me. In my defense, I was dressed as a very important police box from the British TV show Doctor Who and I won first place in the Halloween costume contest at my school.

So I might've gone a bit off track. But guess what? That's me! God allows us to think differently than the rest of the world, and I wish everyone could see how amazing that is! We don't have to be like robots and take orders from people; we can say no. God gives us choices, and it is those choices that show who we are.

I want to direct your attention to the media portion of this bible study. It contains a video link that should be accessible (if it doesn't work, please let me know and I will try to fix it) so you can watch the video I have attached. It's the lyrics of Carrie Underwood's song Temporary Home. It can be a good reminder of how we do not belong to this world and that we are simply here to live out God's will for our lives, whatever that may be.