6 Faith-Filled Steps to Overcome Anxiety

How are You Feeling?

Recently, I read interesting statistics about increased anxiety levels nationwide. As I’ve shared before, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide. Though the post-traumatic stress and anxiety of the Pandemic was expected to end this year after the five-year marker, it continues to rise. Nearly 1 in every 5 (18.2%) adults reported anxiety issues in 2022, up from 15.6% in 2019. Now an estimated 19.1% of U.S. adults experienced anxiety disorders in the past year and it was higher for females (23.4%) than for males (14.3%) according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

One night recently I awakened feeling anxious. I thought about my children’s safety as they traveled, my granddaughter’s safety at college, financial concerns with our country and economy, and the list went on and on. Thankfully, in the night, the Lord reminded me of a verse I have lived by for decades, “Have no anxiety about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God, and the peace of God that passes all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus” ( Phil. 4:6). God declares what seems an impossible command and then tells us exactly how to fulfill it.

Many times, in my life I have prayed this verse phrase by phrase obeying its words. So, I did that again in the night bringing and releasing every concern to the Lord one by one. I soon drifted back into a peaceful sleep.

But this time something new happened. I awakened in the morning feeling not only happy but realizing God was impressing a verse on my mind that He wanted me to repeat every morning when I awakened no matter how I felt. “Rejoice in the Lord always: again, I say rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). Just saying it out loud reminded me that in the midst of everything going on in my life, I can choose to rejoice. I can always rejoice in who God is and that He loves me regardless of outside circumstances, the state of the nation, or the world. “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17).

So, what steps can we take to overcome anxiety?

1. Recognize the Source of Your Anxiety

Identify what’s causing the anxious feelings—whether it’s concerns for loved ones, finances, or the state of the world. Name your worries as the first step to releasing them.

2. Pray about Each Concern Thanking God that He is Able

Bring each concern to God in prayer. Lay them all before Him, with thanksgiving, remembering His past faithfulness. He is God and He is able to handle every concern we carry or imagine.

3. Place Your Concerns One by One in God’s Hands

Intentionally let go of each worry. You can trust God hears and cares. Visualize yourself placing each issue into His hands. His promised peace provides an emotional release from your anxiety.

4. Put on God’s Armor

Sometimes, the enemy of our souls also attempts to attack at night with worry and anxiety when we are most vulnerable. Mentally, put on the armor of God, article by article, as described in Ephesians 6 and pray asking Jesus Christ to command him to stop harassing you.

5. Rest in God’s Peace

Trust that the “peace of God, which passes all understanding,” will in fact place a guard around your heart and mind. Allow His peace to replace your anxious thoughts. This peace may not always change the situation—but it changes you in the situation.

6. Choose Joy Each Morning

Begin your day by declaring, “Rejoice in the Lord always! Again, I say “Rejoice!” The unchanging truth of who God is creates joy and freedom from anxiety. It is not based on circumstances. Choosing to rejoice resets your mindset and strengthens your spirit as you begin each new day.

So, rejoice with me today! In Jesus Christ we can always rejoice!