| How to Handle Stress: Calm Down! Don't Be Afraid! |
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We see it in the news everyday: hurricanes, earthquakes, man made disasters like oil spills
and wars. These things cause us to be anxious and afraid. Some become politically active,
but most of us try to avoid thinking about the problems of the world.
How can we cope with the stress of the world around us? Counseling can help turn down
your anxiety. Imagine taking a deep breath and turning down your anxiety control like you
turn down the volume control on your television. I made a CD called Deep Muscle
Relaxation to help people reduce anxiety. You can order it from our website here.
Other practical things that help include getting eight hours sleep each night, eating regular,
well-balanced meals, daily physical exercise, and talking with friends and family. A routine
for work and relaxation is important.
One key to overcoming anxiety is to understand that your emotions are produced by your
own thoughts. It can be exciting to realize that if you learn to change your thoughts, you can
regain control of your emotions. Prayer is one way to change your thoughts. See
Theophostic Prayer for more information on prayer.
The Bible is full of thoughts that help us to replace anxiety with peace. I have selected some
of the verses which help replace anxiety with peace, courage and strength. I have found that
they are most effective if they are read out loud. I know they will comfort you, just as they
have often restored calmness in my life.
Psalm 91:4-6 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take
refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by
night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of
the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
Psalm 62: 1-2 Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation. He only is
my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.
Deuteronomy 20:3 …Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be
fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the Lord your
God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.
NIV
Haggai 2:4,5 Be strong all you people of the land, declares the Lord, and work; For I am
with you and my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.
Psalm 34:4-7 I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.
2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a
sound mind. KJV
Philippians 4: 13 I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.
Psalm 118: 6,7 The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord
is with me; He is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.
Joshua 1: 9 Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the
Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. NIV
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will
strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee. KJV
1 Peter 1:6-9 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while , if need be, you have
been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more
precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor,
and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now
you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls. NKJV
1 Peter 3:13-17 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?
But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be
afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and
always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in
you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as
evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it
is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. NKJV
Romans 8:37-9:1 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who
loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor
powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created
thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
NKJV
Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never
permit the righteous to be moved. NKJV
Psalm 68:19-20 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our
God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death. NIV
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own
understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. NKJV