Category: The Cure For Anxiety & Fear

“The Holy Spirit cures us. What a wonderfully bold yet true statement that is! And that’s the sure hope we have today. As those who have the Spirit in us, healing from anxiety and fear has begun, and with the Spirit’s help, may each of us now daily put off anxiety/fear and put on the healed and renewed emotions that are ours in Jesus Christ.” (P. Lee)

In this great hope, let’s continue to put on God’s truth by declaring and praying the following out loud together:

Romans 8:11 (NLT)
The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in me and cures me! By your resurrection power at work in me, may I continue to put off the old and put on your healing and wholeness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s praise the Lord with “Way Maker” by Sinach (click here)

-JL

 

Philippians 4:1
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

“Paul’s biblical counsel for victory in anxiety involves standing firm in community—with brothers and sisters in Christ, with dear spiritual friends…It’s not ‘Take two verses and call me in the morning.’ It’s ‘Travel with a few safe spiritual friends morning, noon, and night.’ It’s ‘Cultivate a band of brothers, a sorority of sisters, a team of spiritual athletes, a family of spiritual friends.’ Victory in anxiety comes in community.” (Robert Kellemen, Anxiety: Anatomy and Cure, 21)

Today, let’s put off and put on by opening our lives to be linked in deeper relationships within the church community. Consider reaching out to your small group leader/pastor about any struggles with anxiety and fear to grow in a season of closer accountability, counseling, and prayer.

Let’s spend time praying for our churches – how we need each other as dear spiritual friends! Let’s pray that we will stand firm and help one another experience greater victory in the Lord. Let’s also pray that our churches would be communities of loving care and accountability, where the Lord’s healing presence is evident among us.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of your church community. As we live this life of faith together, may we go from strength-to-strength, victory-to-victory, until we see you face-to-face. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s sing “I Speak Jesus” by Charity Gayle over one another (click here)

-JL

Today, let’s be renewed in our minds by putting off our old/wrong thoughts and putting on the truth of who God is and his heart toward us. As we read, meditate on, and pray through the following Scripture, may we persist until we really hear each verse speak God’s comfort, assurance, and healing to our souls. Let’s welcome these verses to become the living Word within us, transforming us deeply in Christ:

Genesis 26:24 (NIV) – Do not be afraid, for I am with you.

Isaiah 26:3-4 (NLT) – You will keep in perfect peace
    all who trust in you,
    all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Trust in the Lord always,
    for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.

Romans 8:31-32 (NIV) – If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Hebrews 13:5-6 (NLT) – For God has said,
“I will never fail you.
I will never abandon you.”
So we can say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper,
so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?”

Prayer: God, thank you for your Word. How sweet it is as I eat and take in the truth of who you are and how deeply you love me. May what you say alone determine and form who I am. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship God with “My Peace” by Elijah Oyelade (click here)

-JL

1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

“Anxiety can drown out everything around it. Humility is the way to amplify the words of God and hear them above all else. This is a time to consider confession to the Lord. Confession and anxiety don’t often go together, but our need for humility points to our pride. We don’t listen to what God says…We desire to manage our lives because we aren’t so sure that he will be faithful. The result is high anxiety. Deep in our hearts we know that we are not up to the task…God wants to help those who come to him. Why not confess your sin of unbelief right now? It is an efficient way to interrupt the tailspin of fear and anxiety.” (Edward Welch. A Small Book for the Anxious Heart, 26)

Today, let’s bring our whole lives under God’s mighty hand and cast all of our anxiety on him. May his authority lead us to unseat and put off our unbelief and pride that hinders our dependence on the Lord. Let’s put on Spirit-given humility so we can hear and receive the Lord speaking his deep care and perfect plans over our lives.

Prayer: Lord, you alone speak the words of eternal life. I humbly trust and rest in you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s sing “By the Grace of God” by Bethel as our confession and prayer (click here)

-JL

Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

“So what Paul is urging the young Christians is that they allow this teaching of Jesus to have its full effect in their lives. Now that they are ‘in Christ’, they have the responsibility, in the power of the spirit, to take off the old lifestyle, the old way of being human, like someone stripping off a shabby and worn suit of clothing…You may be used to it, and even quite like it. Familiar old clothes are often like that, and brand new ones often feel a bit strange. But if you want to live as a new person in and for the king, the old suit of clothes has to come off, and the new one has to go on.” (NT Wright, Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters, 51)

This week, let’s open ourselves in humble obedience and anticipation of greater healing through the Holy Spirit-empowered activity of putting off and putting on.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that I am made new in Christ. May the gospel have full effect in my life as I put off the old and put on the new thoughts, emotions, and identity I have in Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship God with “Resurrection Power” by Chris Tomlin (click here)

-JL