4 Reasons Why You Have Anxiety
(and 6 Ways You Can Fix It)
Overcoming Anxiety: Day 1
Good morning!
I hope you are feeling energized and excited to start this program!
Let’s start the day in fellowship with God. Remember, you are not just reading a self-help book or reading a few words to make you feel better. No, you are sitting down with an open book with God.
If you are a believer, His Spirit is in you and with you always. He is our main focus, so please as you read, ask God questions, make remarks to Him, or thank Him.
Do not get caught up in your mind – this is where anxiety prospers – instead read and talk to God as you would somebody that is sitting across the table from you.
He has the wisdom that you need, my words in this book are only my interpretations of God’s Word. Test my words. Are they true?
Ask God for wisdom in all of this.
Pray - Ask God for Wisdom and for Him to open your eyes to His glory.
“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing.
Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?
And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!”
Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
- Matthew 6:25-34
Control
While in high school, I claimed the passage above as my favorite passage in scripture… However, while in high school, I also experienced many migraines caused by stress, panic attacks, and experienced immense social anxiety. Fast forward to college and my anxiety grew to significantly impact my life on a daily basis.
Why was this the case? Lack of application and understanding of the text? Definitely. Because I wasn’t living out the purpose I was made for? Absolutely.
But, I also believe that we can know a truth in scripture while our hearts have not accepted the scripture as truth. That is why a man once responded to Jesus, “I believe! Help me with my unbelief.”
How do we accept the truths of Scripture?
Only by the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit leads us into obedience and uses obedience as a tool to change our hearts.
If you are reading this today and continue to consistently read the next several days this is only accomplished by the sustained grace of God. One reason to rejoice today!
Every human effort fails, so remember this truth as you read because, just like salvation, our efforts do not save us; God does all of the work.
I mentioned earlier that there are roots that dig deep and lead us into anxiety. Here are the roots of anxiety (the issue could be one or multiple… if not all).
The first four seem to be present in Jesus’ words above as well as the solutions I will list later.
- Feeling like you have no control of life
- Dwelling on negative thoughts
- Persistent sin
- Insecurity/performance-based lifestyle
- Health Related Issues (small tips for this issue are given throughout the program)
Is this list alone overwhelming? I’m sorry.
Thankfully, the solutions within Matthew 6 far outweigh the factors that lead to anxiety! We are going to meditate on the solutions over the next 6 weeks.
Jesus is wise. His words above leads us to one big conclusion which, if embraced, brings the ultimate comfort and sets a solid foundation to cling to while exploring the other points Jesus makes.
The big truth that provides a solution when we feel like we have no control of life is this:
God is sovereign over everything.
This is the truth we are going to dive into for the first week.
What do I mean when I say that God is sovereign? It means He is in absolute control of every single thing that happens.
By meditating and pondering this truth for the next seven days, my hope is that this truth will settle in your heart. If you know God’s character, this truth eases many pains and worries in life! We will study and ponder who He is directly and indirectly every day of this plan so that you can know His character and find refuge in His strength.
Today you may need to begin telling God, “I believe You are in control! Help me with my unbelief.”
Note this, the world’s approach is to only manage anxiety, Jesus promises to end it.
Be still. Listen to what God is saying to you.
If God has control over the growth of flowers and even has the control over what a sparrow eats, what can He control in your life that would bring you comfort?
Is there anything about God’s character that comforts you when you hear that He is in complete control of everything that happens?
If God has complete control, why do bad things happen?
Would you rather God be in absolute control? Or would you prefer that you could control everything in your own life?
Why?
Is there something you can do that God can’t? Can He do anything that you can’t?
Pray Suggestions
Ask God to reveal His power to you.
Thank God for caring for you.
Ask Him to help you with your anxiety and for the strength to continue this program with Him.
Memorize
“I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.”
– Job 42:2
(What does this passage mean?)
Challenge/Tip
Discipline and willpower are going to be crucial in this program.
To maximize your ability to persevere you need a schedule.
During this week, I want you to write down an hour by hour schedule each day on a small sheet of paper and take it with you everywhere. Review it and stick to it. As you go, refine the schedule to realistically fit your day.
- Commit to a time to reader watch the video of the day.
- Commit to a time to pray.
- Commit to a proper bedtime.
- Commit to the time you will be in the gym.
- Commit to the time you will go out and walk.
Here is a preview of the issues causing your anxiety and 6 solutions side by side. Again, notice there are more solutions than problems! (The numbers by the solutions shows which root issue it can “cure”)
ROOTS OF ANXIETY | SOLUTIONS |
1. Lack of Control | Learn of God’s Sovereignty and Power – 1 |
2. Dwelling on Negativity | Dwell on what is good – 2 |
3. Persistent Sin | Take Steps of Obedience – 3 |
4. Insecurity/Performance-Based Lifestyle | Have an Identity in Christ – 4 |
| Embrace the Gospel Truth – 1,2,3,4 |
| Gain an Eternal Perspective – 1,2,3,4 |
Workout for Day 1: Back and Biceps
Exercise | Sets | Reps | Rest | Weight Used |
Pull-Ups (or lat pulldown) | 4 | 12 | 90 seconds | |
Incline Dumbbell Bench Press/Bicep Dumbbell Curl | 4 | 12/12 | 90 seconds | |
Bulgarian Split Squat | 3 | 10-12 each leg | 60 seconds | |
Shoulder Press/Shrugs | 3 | 12/12 | 60 seconds | |
Dips/Leg Raises | 3 | 12/failure | 45 seconds | |
Standing Calf Raises | 3 | 8-10 (or 15-20 if you prefer) | 60 seconds | |
Write down the weights, sets, and reps used for deadlifts and lat pulldowns to make sure you go up in strength over the weeks.
- Do 20 minutes Steady State Cardio (protein shake – with water, not milk – before this cardio is recommended if you did not eat protein pre-workout or if you struggle to get in enough protein in the day).
- Cardio in the afternoon – 20 minutes prayer walk for 20 minutes OR go on a walk with your family or friend, play soccer or basketball or some other high activity game with your kids or friend(s).
Feel free to email me at disciplinedfaith9@gmail.com with topic “Program Questions” if you have any questions.
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