Do you deal with anxiety, worry or uneasiness?
Is your first reaction to the things that come against you fear or faith?
With everything going on in the world, does it continually make you anxious?
Today is for you if:
Philippians 4:6 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Anxiety in Greek means dividing and fracturing a person’s being into parts. We’re literally and figuratively worrying ourselves to pieces from the inside out.
Anxiety comes when we feel out of control. We can’t control others; however, we can control ourselves.
The mind (our thoughts) is connected to the brain. The brain controls the body.
So we physically feel what we’re thinking!
Because of this, anxiety stems from anxious thoughts. When our thoughts are anxious, we physically feel the stress in our bodies.
If the anxious thoughts are making us feel anxious, how can we stop thinking anxious thoughts?
2 Corinthians 10:5b AMP
…we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ.
Jesus doesn’t bring our thoughts captive–it’s OUR job.
Here are three simple steps that will help you take your thoughts captive.
1. Awaken It
Become aware of what you’re thinking and how those thoughts affect you emotionally and physically.
Try an emotional journal for one week.
For each half-hour segment of your day, track your feelings and why.
Good and bad thought patterns became apparent in no time.
Even tracking your emotions and thoughts for a day will bring more awareness.
2. Examine It
Examine if the thoughts are helping or hurting you.
Use Philippians 4:8 to hold a mirror to your thoughts.
Look at the thought and ask yourself if it is true. Is it pure? Is it noble? Is it a lovely thought? Is there anything excellent or praiseworthy about that thought?
If your answer is yes, then keep the thought.
If your answer is no, then proceed to step 3.
3. Exchange It
We can’t think a negative thought and a positive thought at the same time.
Take the thought captive by exchanging it.
It’s hard to come up with a positive thought when we’re in the throws of negativity or on an emotional rollercoaster. So be ready with a positive thought ahead of time.
List out the most common negative thoughts you experience regularly.
Then, write a corresponding positive thought next to each negative thought you want to exchange.
Our words are powerful, so speak out the positive thoughts too. When you hear yourself speak that positive thought, it gives you an extra mental boost.
Also, don’t forget to give yourself grace when the rough days come.
By following these steps, you will learn to take your thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ, let go of the anxiety, and experience more joy in your life because of it.
If you want to live a life free of fear, pick up my free resource, Three Habits to Live Fearlessly Free, at https://www.heatherlbunch.com/.
This worksheet will help you overcome the fear holding you back and help you stop the negative thoughts causing you anxiety.
Thanks a bunch for listening!
Until Next Time, Live Fearlessly Free
