Overcoming Anxiety as a Christian
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24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Overcoming Anxiety as a Christian
Introduction
Introduction
Darkness
1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, And the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And gross darkness the people: But the Lord shall arise upon thee, And his glory shall be seen upon thee.
3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, And kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Example: Goshen during the plague of darkness
This is a spiritual and mental darkness.
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
They chose to ignore the light and became totally dark in their minds.
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
This is the age of demonic darkness.
1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.
8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.
It’s come to a place where the whole nation, the whole world, not only this nation, but everywhere, mentally gone.
And then when we open up those, the Lord willing, on those Seven Vials and show those hideous things. Men will be so insane, after a while, till they’ll imagine they’re seeing ants the size of a mountain.
It’ll be tormenting women; be locusts come upon the earth, with long hair, to torment women who cut theirs off; hair like women, hanging down; and long teeth, like a lion; stingers in their tail, like a scorpion, and so forth, to torment men upon the earth.
But then it’ll be too late to do anything about it. You get right now. See? Tormenting! 65-0822M - "Christ Is Revealed In His Own Word"
The oppression on this age is not made up, it is real.
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Jesus said there’ll be fearful signs, sights in the heaven, men’s hearts failing, fear, perplexity of times, distress between nations. Don’t you see that Seed time is here now, the harvest time, the things the Bible said would come to pass?
That Seed that’s been planted, don’t you see It has taken life and living? That’s what’s the matter. 62-0319 - "The End-Time Sign Seed"
O God, let me go, Lord. Don’t leave me behind, Jesus. Let me go with You, Father. I don’t want to stay here on this earth to watch these tribulations coming on. I don’t want to stay here in this insanity.
I don’t want to stand here when hideous sights…the people losing their mind. We look at man trying to act like beasts and look like beasts; and the women trying to look like animals, with the paints on their face.
Knowing that these things are predicted to happen, that the thing will, they’ll go so insane till locusts will raise up with hair like women to haunt the women; and teeth like lions, and things that You’ve said, the mental condition of the people will be completely gone.
We see it in the making right now, Lord. Help us! Restore us to the sane mind of Christ Jesus our Lord. 65-1207 - "Leadership"
7 But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, Not day, nor night: But it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.
Believers are not immune from these things.
I don’t condemn Christian people who use medicine for anxiety or depression, or who see a Christian counselor, the mind can be sick just like the body. I do contend that the answer for anxiety is Christ. the answer for depression is Christ.
This Message gives us a hope and expectation that the world does not have. All the doctors in the world can’t help you find who you are, but the Message of the hour tells you who you are, where you are going, and has an answer for every question.
This is an overcoming Message. We do not have to be bound by the darkness, we have the light.
Why does it affect us?
Example: Demonology - Stream of darkness with little specks of light.
Now, every mortal here is influenced by one of these worlds. 53-0609A - "Demonology, Religious Realm"
You are still flesh, including your mind, and can be influenced by the five senses and also in your spirit realm.
How do we overcome the darkness, in particular, the darkness of Anxiety, as Christians?
1. Be filled with the Holy Ghost
1. Be filled with the Holy Ghost
You cannot overcome without being born again.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
You need an advocate. When the world is telling you give up, when the pressure is about to make you explode, you need someone to speak up for you. That someone is the Holy Ghost.
There It is! And how long is He going to abide? Forever! Then what is the Word of God? What is our comfort today? It’s when we receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and the power of the living God living in us. 61-1001E - "The Comforter"
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
We should be unfolding; God’s Spirit pouring out. Not just one little gusher, not one little baptism; but, baptism after baptism! 57-0407M - "God Keeps His Word"
2. Be the Boss of Your Thoughts
2. Be the Boss of Your Thoughts
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Your thoughts do not have to control you, you control them.
You do not work for them, they work for you.
Never permit a negative thought to come in your mind if you can help it. When it starts that, don’t entertain it. Well, you say, “I can’t help the thoughts from coming.” Well, that’ll be like the farmer that said he couldn’t stop the birds from flying over his place, but he could sure stop them from roosting.”
You can’t help the thoughts when they come, but don’t entertain them; just pass it on. “No, sir. Jesus Christ is my Saviour; all things are mine by God. And I’m going to keep them. I’m going to testify of them.” 55-0115 - "Law"
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
3. Claim the Promise of Sanity
3. Claim the Promise of Sanity
A sound mind is a promise from God. Healing is for your body and mind.
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
(IQ tests for missionaries)
Did you imagine the IQ they required on the Day of Pentecost? Faith in God, that’s what they required. Right! That’s the requirement. “If thou believest, these signs shall follow them that believe,” Jesus said.
He never said test them for their IQ. He said, “Go into all the world,” missionaries, “make disciples of all nations. These signs shall follow them that believe!” That’s the IQ, God’s IQ, whether you got enough faith to make these things live and be real, Christ manifested to the people.
Testing Jack Ruby, the other day, for insanity. They’re still doing it. The whole world is insane. Sure, the man is crazy. No man could shoot another without being crazy.
The whole world is crazy. Certainly, it is. The farmer, he is crazy to the businessman. The businessman is crazy, to the farmer. Who is crazy? The whole group is.
There is only one sane thing, and that’s Jesus Christ the Son of God, and His Gospel has the answer to every thing.
Our books of psychology, and all these things, are nonsense. If it’s contrary to this Word, throw it away. God’s Word is right, and all others are wrong. 64-0312 - "When Their Eyes Were Opened, They Knew Him"
32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
4. Think Todays Thoughts
4. Think Todays Thoughts
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
You can’t dwell on a future or a past that you cannot control.
Some folks live in the past, and that can be deadly, but many more live in the future, and it’s just as bad.
Bro. Branham called it a person who crosses bridges before they even came to them.
And one thing, you’re a nervous person too, not the kind that shakes and carries on, but the deep thinking kind. Is that right? You’re always, as the old saying, “crossing bridges ’fore you get to them,” building up things, never happen. 52-0817E - "Do You Now Believe?"
This causes several health conditions:
Stomach Trouble
All right. Come, lady. You’re a very deep thinker. You’re sincere in it with all your heart. But it’s caused you to be a nervous person. And you’re very nervous.
You’re always taking other people’s things, and thinking about that, crossing bridges ’fore you get to it, building things that never happen. In that, it’s developed a stomach trouble for you. 53-1109 - "How The Angel Came To Me"
How do you do, young lady? You believe with all your heart? You’d like to eat again, and be right too, wouldn’t you? It’s a nervous condition that’s caused this.
You’ve been more or less nervous all your life, upset, always crossing bridges, fretting about things. Isn’t that right? That nervous type has caused an ulcer in your stomach. 54-0718E - "To See Jesus"
Heart Trouble
Got a lady’s trouble, nervous, got a heart trouble. The heart trouble’s really not a heart trouble, it’s a nervous heart. Usually, after eating and laying down, then you have trouble with it: flutters and carries on.
It’s a nervous heart, instead of heart trouble. You’re nervous. You’ve been that way since you went through the time of life with menopause. Been nervous for a long time. You’re a deep thinker.
You’re always crossing bridges ’fore you get to them, planning something that never happens. That’s exactly the truth. Taking other people’s burdens to yourself and never comes out right…
Throw the thing away and accept Jesus. Will you do it, now? Then, the fluttering will stop and you’ll be well. Do you believe me as God’s servant? 56-0612 - "Life Is The Healer"
Arthritis
You’re nervous? The nervous trouble is what you think. You’re always crossing bridges before you get to it. In that it’s create an acid condition, which make you have arthritis. That’s right. You believe me to be God’s prophet? Then go and receive your healing in the Name of the Lord Jesus.
Like to eat again like you used to? Go, get you a nice hamburger and eat in the Name of the Lord Jesus. 57-0310E - "Hear Ye Him"
Hemorrhoids
You’re suffering from a nervous condition. That’s more of a mental nervousness, upset, inward thinking, crossing bridges before you get to them. Doing that, you’re suffering also with a rectal trouble, which is called hemorrhoids. 58-0619E - "Can We See Jesus?"
Cancer
God don’t want you to be frowning. God wants you to be happy. The human heart was made to be happy. Worry will cause cancer. Temper will cause cancer. Don’t never be upset. Just walk in His love. Amen. Knowing that you’re walking in Him, and nothing can harm you.
There’s nothing can harm you. There’s neither powers, things present, things future, nothing can separate us from Him. We’re in Him. And we never come in by our own will. He, by choice, elected us and brought us in to Him. Amen. So it’s His business to take care of what He’s took Hisself.
“No man can pluck them from My Father’s hands, ’cause He’s the greatest of all of them.” Amen. It’s the Father Who takes care of it. Who’s got any more power than God? So what kind of a power have you got over you to take care of you?
The whole powers that created the universes. Amen. That took the solar system and, “Phew!” blew like that, and every star went to its place. Sure. And He watches over you. Amen. That’s the kind of a Father we have. 56-0405 - "The Resurrection Of Jesus"
5. Express Yourself Appropriately
5. Express Yourself Appropriately
1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Profession = confession.
He can only intercede on what you confess.
Before a world could be formed God’s thoughts had to become words.
We must have someone to express ourself to. This is why therapy work sometimes, in the negative, because someone is listening.
What if you found someone to talk to, and confessed positive things? Instead of being negative all the time?
God dwelled alone, and He didn’t like it. It wasn’t just that there was no one talking, but there was no one to listen.
18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
Adam was not alone, He had God. But God was a Spirit. You can’t express yourself appropriately to a Spirit.
We were not made to be alone, we need to talk. Overcome Anxiety by expressing yourself appropriately to your brothers and sisters in Christ. You were not made to express yourself virtually, you were made to have friends, family and a spouse.
In order for God to express Himself appropriately to us, He had to come in flesh. He had something to say, and He said it not just with words, but by His death on the cross. He said I Love You.
Conclusion
Conclusion
(Robins talking to one another)
sometimes it takes a mountain