Anxious.
The Greek word for anxious means to “rend it two” or “to pull in opposite directions.”
When I was an elementary school principal, tug of war was the highlight of field day. Two classes lined up on either side of the rope while the center flag fought to stay neutral. As soon as the whistle blew, heels dug in, teachers cheered, and kids pulled with all of their might until the flag crossed the line and the losing team fell forward. The treasured trophy was handed to the winners and one class walked away in sheer delight while the others tried to demonstrate good sportsmanship.
I don’t know about you, but this is how anxious thoughts feel to me…part of me leans into God’s truth while the opposing team pulls me toward the lies that feel so real. The flag in the center goes back and forth across the line of my divided thoughts…sometimes moment by moment.
And I am unsettled and restless.
Sound familiar?
Thankfully, God has the winning formula for our mental tug of war:
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Or as the Amplified Bible elaborates:
““You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].”
Isaiah 26:3 AMP
The underlying action that leads to a steadfast mind is TRUST.
I’ve had to ask myself more than once, “In whom or what am I putting my trust?” When my thoughts pull me in two opposing directions, where does my trust fall? On the side of the wavering lie or on the truth of God’s unfailing character and timeless Word?
And the action underlying TRUST is CHOICE.
By the grace of God, we can choose to trust, even when the lie feels stronger than the truth.
Below are a few overarching truths we can speak to ourselves when our trust is wavering:
- God is who He says He is.
- God can do what He says He can do.
- I am who God says I am.
- I can do all things through Christ.
- God’s Word is alive and active in me. (From Beth Moore)
Choosing to trust is, at times, a moment-by-moment tug of war, but every time we dig our heels into the Truth, the more we “come to know [by personal observation and experience], and have believed [with deep, consistent faith] the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides continually in him.” 1 John 4:16 AMP
What verses do you cling to when you are overcome by anxious thoughts? Share in the comments below.
*Please note: this post is meant to be an encouragement to anyone facing anxiety with the understanding that additional sources of help may be needed to manage clinical or on going anxiety.
