We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, — 2 Corinthians 10:5
I loved Casey’s message from Sunday because it dealt with an issue that is very important to me personally. Anxiety is competing for millions of people all across the globe and it seems to be winning. The statistics are staggering, and the fruit of anxiety can be lethal to your productivity, your social engagement, your family and even your life. I am aware that the term anxiety has become a bit of a buzzword in our culture that seeks to give people an out from having to work or function as a human. What I loved about the message from Sunday was that it gave us truth from God’s word that, when applied, will set the person who is not really battling anxiety, as well as the person who succumbs to it every single day, on a path forward — a path toward victory over it!
The biggest hurdle I had to overcome was the fear of others finding out I dealt with anxiety. I tried to hide it because of my profession. As a pastor, I assumed it would be frowned upon for me to struggle with something like anxiety. In my mind, people needed me to be strong for them as they waged war against their spiritual enemies. In my personal battle against anxiety, my biggest victory came when I was finally able to identify and admit I was riddled with anxious thoughts and worry. What I realized upon my confession was that a church full of people were ready to walk with me and fight against these thoughts alongside me. There was no shame or condemnation, just as the Apostle Paul promised (Romans 8:1). What did I find through my confession? My first big step toward victory!
The Bible is clear that the path to victory over anxiety starts with casting your burdens on God. That can’t happen until you come to a place where you are willing to admit you are burdened and that the burden is too heavy for you to carry. Once you get to that place do what the Psalmist instructs you to do:
Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. — Psalm 55:22
How do you cast it on the Lord? Hit every lie of the enemy with God’s truth. His truth begins to lift the burden. Pray the Lord will give you the ability to let it go. When you start to release your grip on these things, God begins to take hold of them for you. Choose daily to trust that he is better able to carry your burden than you are, because he is uniquely capable.
So what is burdening you? What causes you stress? Pray that the Lord will give you clarity and then, as Casey said, go on offense and take the truth to the enemy. He hates it and can’t defend himself against it. The enemy is not entitled to any victory in your life. What does that mean, believer? The only victory the enemy gets in your life is the one you choose to give him. Go into today knowing that, in Christ Jesus, the victory is yours and you will sense the weight of your anxiety lifting.