New Way to be Human: From Anxiety to Peace

I’ve had the opportunity to work with alot of young adults: The big need is help with mental health.

Personal History:

Depression: Prozac

Got things right with Jesus

New joy

new identity

new purpose

I thought I only had one sin in my life. Sexual sin.

God began to reveal that there was a lot more broken in me than I thought. Most of that had to do with the way I thought.

books

conferences

sermons

What we learned changed our lives. And now we love to share what we learned with others.

The greatest battle you will ever face in life is between your left ear and your right ear.

There is so much hope for overcoming anxiety and living with great peace

Philippians 4:7 NIV

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Myth’s about Anxiety:

Myth 1: Other people don’t struggle with anxiety. It’s just harder for me.

“I’m the acception”

“It should be easier.”

Parents may have helped you with this.

Myth 2: My situation is the cause of my anxiety:

Difficult circumstances are an opportunity for what is inside you to be manifested.

Difficult circumstances are a test from God to display wha tis in the heart.

Philippians 4:12 NIV

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Myth 3: My disorder is the cause of my anxiety

The term “anxiety disorder” is simply a way to identify a group of characteristics listed in the DSM handbook.

The diagnosis is never the cause.

Even the clinical model of therapy:

It’s not like being diagnosed with cancer, or a genetic mutation, or something objective.

It starts in the heart and the mind, and manifests itself as symptoms and characteristics that are then clynically diagnosed.

Myth 4: I have no control over my anxiety

While there is no button we can press, we actually do have a measure of control over it.

Without Christ, we are in bondage. But with the power of Christ, there actually is alot of hope for change.

Reality: The way you think, literally changes your brain

Recent neurological discoveries have taught us this:

Back in the 80’s the, medical professionals were taught that a person with a disorder was just going to be like that. There was little hope for change.

But in more recent years there have been some key breakthroughs in brain science.

“which is the brain’s ability to regrow in response to mind stimulation.” - Dr. Caroline Leaf

“Our minds are creative forces to be reckoned with and are to be used in the best ways possible, which is why we have to constantly watch our thoughts and make sure we use our image-bearing power in positive ways. We need to reflect the image of a loving God, not a hurting world order.” (Dr. Caroline Leaf, The Perfect You)

Your brain physiology is changed based on the way you think.

“Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” (Lao Tzu)

“Our voluntary thoughts not only reveal what we are, they predict what we will become. Except for that conduct which springs from our basic natural instincts, all conscious behavior is preceded by and arises out of our thoughts. The will can become a servant of the thoughts, and to a large degree even our emotions follow our thinking.” (A.W.Tozer, Born After Midnight)

“Neuropathways in your mind that have been built over years need to be rewired.”

-Pastor Kyle Walters (from last weeks sermon)

Romans 12:2 NLT

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

It all makes sense, what we are now learning from Science in modern history is now uncovering the ancient truth that has been stored in the Bible for the last 2000 years, and practiced by Christians throughout the centuries.

3 New Pills to take you from Anxiety to Peace

1. Rejoice in the Lord

Philippians 4:4 NIV

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

There is a subject of our rejoicing.

20 years old: recently freed from sinful lifestyle: Oh the joy!

I was no longer in bondage to sin.

I was completely forgiven by God.

God loved me.

I now had purpose and significance.

My life was now in God’s hands.

I now had an eternal destiny in heaven.

Nothing could take these things away.

And they were all because of Jesus Christ my Lord!

What Paul reminds me of today as I read these words “rejoice in the Lord always,” is that I still have just as much reason to rejoice as I did all those years ago.

We are to never stop rejoicing in the Lord.

What a difference would this do to our anxiety if this was the only thing we did differently starting right now.

2. Replace Anxious thoughts with Healthy Thoughts

Philippians 4:8 NIV

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

We all come to Christ in great brokenness.

Broken ways of thinking.

There are manifestations of those ways of thinking.

Transforming the way we think is a process.

We need to cut the leash of anxiety:

A new identity in Christ.

Anxiety is not your identity.

Anxiety is a sin:

“As long as we are patting ourselves on the back for our sin, we are never going to be honest with ourselves about our need for God’s greatest help.”

Long Term: Practice Healing Prayer

Only the Holy Spirit knows your heart. Even we don’t know the deepths of our own heart.

Have you ever been anxious, and you couldn’t put a finger on why?

Holy Spirit, I’m anxious right now and I don’t know why. Would you help me put a finger on this?

What is the toxic thought? (2 Cor. 10:5)

When was this introduced? (a specific event)

What do I need to replace it with? (Phil 4:8)

Philippians 4:8 NIV

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Personal Example:

Symptom: Frustration and anxiety.

Toxic thought: “I must be an exceptional person. It is not ok for me to be normal, average or mediocre.”

Truth to replace with: Luke 17:10

Luke 17:10 ESV

So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ ”

Dr. Caroline Leaf recommends: 1 tought for 21 days

Start your day off with a morning truth statement.

John Worcester taught me about the power of our words in the Spiritual realm, especially the first words we speak in the morning.

Satan is the accusor. He wants to accuse us. and it will use our words back on us to condemn us. So we must be careful about what we let come out of our mouths.

Our words also impact our thoughts and feelings.

We do this with our kids.

Psalm 118:24 ESV

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

“Today I am waking up to spend this day in communion with my God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is with me and will empower me to prevail through every challenge that he allows me to face. Today, I am a servant and ambessabor for the most High God, and I am looking forward to whatever opportunities He gives me to partner with him. By the Holy Spirits empowerment, I will lead myself, my family and those who God has entrusted me to Shepherd. Thank You Lord for awakening me and sustaining me another day. Please give me a burden for the lost. Give me opportunities to share the gospel with the lost, and give me boldness to take those opportunities. Please use me to do a miracle. In Jesus name, amen.”

Short Term: Repent and take the next step of obedience

“God, you say not to be anxious about anything. I confess that I am anxious right now. Here’s why...”

“God, what is it that you want me to do?”

Then do that thing.

3. Present Requests to God

Philippians 4:6 NIV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Not only are we replacing the anxious thoughts with godly thoughts, but we are replacing the act of being anxious with the act of prayer.

Repentance is not just from something

It is also to something.

Instead of worrying, God prescribes us with a different action. To pray to him.

Every situation: Big and small

With thanksgiving: There is always something to be thankful for.

You are alive.

The circumstance, no matter how bad it might seem. God is going to work it out for your good.

Thank Him that he is going to make you more like Christ through this.

We often overlook the blessings we have because of the few things that seem to be imperfect.

Modern studies are showing the power of gratitude and thankfulness to change a persons mental health. God’s been telling us to do this all along.

The Promise: The Peace of God

Philippians 4:7 ESV

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Story: College on my bed.

Finances weren’t great.

School was hard.

Peace of God came

Not just a feeling, it is a reality:

Colossians 1:20 NIV

and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

You don’t need to muster up peace.

Conclusion:

So, remember the three R’s as a new prescription.

Rejoice

Replace

Request

These are your new pills to take you from anxiety to peace.

There is so much hope for you as Jesus changes you into a new person, by changing the way you think. May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.