Anxiety.  Who doesn’t experience it?  Panic attacks seem to be the norm. Xanax is the drug of choice, prescribed by many doctors for this growing medical diagnosis.  Lauren Daigle’s song “Remember” could not be more timely. “In the darkest hour, when I cannot breathe. Fear is on my chest, the weight of the world on me. Everything is crashing down, everything I have known.  When I wonder if I’m all alone…I remember…I remember…You have always been faithful to me…”

Looking ahead, much less having the energy to “move ahead” is out of the question for millions today.  We stink at remembering the good stuff that has happened to us, so we get stuck in our current circumstances and just focus on “self”.  The late Billy Graham said “self is spiritual b.o.”

So what can “you” do? I offer three suggestions.  Isn’t it true that without both an interior and exterior rear-view mirror on our cars, we would crash, even though we are driving in a forward direction?  

Looking back just may be the secret which keeps us from driving off the deep end. Why not back-track…and remember the continual faithfulness of the living God in your life? Hasn’t He helped you through situations before?

Jeremiah famously said, “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT)  Even on the dreaded Monday’s of our lives His “faithful” help is brand new every single day, if we draw upon it!

Meditation “they say” is one way to cope with our anxiety.  But doesn’t that coping mechanism teach us to focus on ourselves when we do meditate?  Thinking logically…why would I concentrate on “me” if “I” am the one who is anxious? We need help from above!  

One of many verses I have lodged in my brain, which I pull down to put into my real life circumstances says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV) Friends, memorizing this verse and then saying it out loud works! I cannot explain it. Since God’s word is supernatural and inspired by God, I have to believe that is why it works.   

Journaling “they say” is another way to cope with the ever growing problem of anxiety.  I agree 1000 percent. Some 50 journals later, and participating in this activity for over three decades, I swear…this also works.  There is something healing about writing down on paper what is going on in your world. It takes away “the impending doom feeling” which sometimes accompanies anxiety.  Reading those old journals also causes me to “remember” the faithfulness of God.

Aren’t we given choices every day? Remember. Memorize. Journal. Which suggestion will you choose to combat your anxiety?

pictures courtesy of “Nelson & his Nikon”