Thought for Monday, May 7th

May 7, 2012

Do Spiritual Anxiety Attacks Really Exit

Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Philippians 4:6

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

Quote of the Day

“How much pain have cost us the evils which have never happened!” – Thomas Jefferson

Today’s Thoughts and Insights:

Almost everyone has experience some degree of anxiousness at some point in their life.

Anxiety is that fear of the unknown or that insecurity about what the results of a particular choice or plan of action might lead too.

George Washington Lyon state: “Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble.”

As Christians we are to walk by faith, trusting God for what we need when we need it, so is it possible or even probable that we can have attacks of anxiety in our spiritual lives?

Unfortunately, it seems the answer to this is yes.  So many get worked up into such a state of distress and despair they end up quitting or giving up when they are on the verge of a breakthrough, spiritually speaking.

So many times we struggle, fight the battles and allow the devil to get the best of us because we give into the fleshly anxieties of our humanity rather than depending  on the spiritual power of His presence and provisions for us.

Lewis Thomas said of humanity: “We are, perhaps uniquely among the earth’s creatures, the worrying animal.  We worry away our lives, fearing the future, discontent with the present…”

Anxiety attacks should not be a part of our spiritual life – yet often they are for many different reasons.  Aren’t you glad to know God is willing to forgive our lapse in faith, and to bring peace to our troubled soul and He is faithful to deliver us through whatever trial, challenge or situation we might be facing.

Today’s Prayer

Father, you are the end all and be all of all things both now, in the past and will be in the future: your grace never fails: your love is never ending and your power is inexhaustible:  I am so blessed to be your child.  You have promised to always be with me; to sustain and keep me and to always deliver me: yet often I doubt, I worry and I allow fear and anxiety to keep me from the fullness of what you have for me.  Forgive my unbelief and help me to be stronger and bolder in my faith.

“We suffer more in imagination than in reality.”

– Seneca

“This is my cry: This is my song,

You are my guiding light, when the way is unknown;

And when the sunny skies, turn shades of gray,

I’ll stay close by your side: As you lead the way.

Jesus lead on I will follow:

Jesus lead on, let your love light the way… “

-  Lyrics from ‘Jesus Lead On’ by Brent Helming