Release Your Fears and Anxiety- 2 Timothy 1:7

Sam grew up in a good home, faithfully attending a local church, he has a good job, beautiful family, but something was wrong. Sam was always worried about his relationship, employment and life.

He experienced such dread that it touched every aspect of his life. Have you ever know someone like Sam?

Sam is experiencing “Fear and Anxiety”. Its clinical name is General Anxiety Disorder. (GAD) Everyone worries. It’s normal to worry about money, relationships, health and other things, but people with generalized anxiety tend to worry even when they should not.

GAD can be a result of a family trait, and it affects women twice as much as men. It is a gradual progress from an early age, though it can start in adulthood, too. When symptoms get severe, it can impact day-to-day functioning and lead to other physical or emotional problems, including depression and panic attacks.

But let’s switch from secular thinking to spiritual thinking.

Anxiety is not of God.

Our Father does not wish for us to worry about anything. We are assured that, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

The NIV says, “For the Spirit of God has not made us timid, but gives us power.” Paul could have been writing to Timothy because he was experiencing a lack of confidence and was feeling anxious or fearful. Paul stresses, “Not to be anxious about anything, but pray about every situation giving thanks, presenting your petitions to God” (Phil 4:613) and God will give us the peace that is beyond understanding. But stop and re-read (vs.6). God is directing us to give thanks for the situation that causing our anxiety.

The Prophet Isaiah tells us, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever”.

In the Book of Daniel Chapter 6, we read the famous story how Daniel being thrown into the Lion’s pit because he refused to participate in “emperor worship”.

King Darius was tricked by those that conspired against Daniel into making a decree for 30 days, that whosoever prayed to any god besides the King would be thrown into the lion’s den and it was signed and could not be repealed, not even by the King.

If we look in (vs.10) we see Daniel after he knew the decree was signed, going to his upper room as always to pray and he gave thanks to God. Daniel was thanking God for this opportunity to prove his faith, even if it meant death.

Society is bombarded daily with reasons to feel fear and anxiety. As Christians we have the assurance that God is in control.

In Matthew 24:4-13, Jesus seems to be reading yesterday’s newspaper, wars and rumors of wars.

Nations will rise up against nations and there will be famines. When we see earthquakes and Christians being persecuted, hated and put to death, Christ time is near.. People will turn away from their faith and because of wickedness our hearts will grow cold. Remember when a stranger came to your door and requested to use the phone we would allow them in, we might stop and pick up a stranger on a roadside or stop and assist a motorist, but no more, we are fearful of the wickedness in the world. Our hearts have grown cold from fear and selfpreservation. But Jesus tells us that the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

We are seeing the signs of the ends times. God’s clock is ticking, Christ could come at any moment and we need to be sharing the word with our lost friends and family. As Christians we must give our fear and anxiety over to our Heavenly Father. It all begins with the words of Jesus, “Don’t worry, I am with you always.

Trust, believe and give your fear and anxiety to Christ, let it go and be the Christian that God needs you to be, constantly sharing the Gospel, in a world that is experiencing the birth pains of Christ return. May God bless and give each of you strength in Jesus name, Amen.

—————— You may contact Eddie at eddieturner2502@ gmail.come or 903-391-7656.