Casting Our Anxieties on Christ
The fruit of that righteousness will be peace.
Isaiah 32:17
Christ has invited you to cast your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. This means that you have to humble yourself by surrendering your ways and submitting to His ways. The following steps will help you overcome anxiety.
First, before you do anything else, you should pray. Paul writes, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). Pray, “Lord, I come humbly before Your presence as Your child. I acknowledge my dependence on You, and I ask for Your divine guidance. Show me what I am responsible for and what I am not. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and guide me into all truth. I ask for Your peace to guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus. Amen.”
Second, resolve all personal and spiritual conflicts by submitting to God and resisting the devil. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). You do this through genuine repentance (see the Steps to Freedom in Christ). The purpose is to make sure your heart is right with God and to eliminate any demonic influences on your mind.
Third, state the problem. What are you anxious about? A problem well stated is half solved. In anxious states of mind, people can’t see the forest for the trees, so put the problem in perspective. What matters for eternity? Seek godly counsel if necessary, but do not turn to ungodly counsel or temporary cures.
Fourth, separate the facts from the assumptions. People are not anxious about what they know; they are anxious about what they don’t know. People may be fearful of the facts, but not anxious.
Fifth, determine what you have the right or the ability to control. Remember that your duty in life and you sense of worth are tied only to that for which you are responsible. If you aren’t living a responsible life, you should feel anxious. Don’t try to cast your responsibility on Christ, for He will just throw it back. However, do cast your anxiety onto Him, because His integrity is at stake in meeting your needs—if you are living a responsible and righteous life.
Sixth, list everything you can do that is related to the situation that is under your responsibility. What is the noble thing to do? How can you assume your responsibility in a dignified manner that is worthy of respect? What is the right thing to do? What is the morally pure thing to do? What could you do that would promote peace and goodwill? What could you do that would be positive and constructive rather than negative and destructive?
Seventh, complete everything on your list. Commit yourself to be a responsible person and fulfill your calling and obligations in life. Take every thought captive in obedience to Christ and keep your mind focused on what is true.
Finally, submit to God in prayer everything that lies outside of your responsibility and your right or ability to control. If you have fulfilled your responsibilities and believe the truth, the rest is God’s responsibility. Any residue anxiety is probably due to your having assumed responsibilities that God never intended you to have.
Follow up:
If The Steps to Freedom in Christ are not available, ask the Lord to reveal to your mind any sin that is keeping you from having an intimate relationship with Him. Write those in the space below.
State specifically what you are anxious about, and separate the facts from the assumptions.
Determine what you have the right and the ability to control and commit yourself to accomplish what you are responsible for.
Write down how you can assist others who are directly connected to the situation in question with their responsibility without usurping their role. Commit the rest to God in prayer.
Neil T. Anderson is the founder of Freedom in Christ Ministries. He began the ministry in 1989 and continues to spread the message of freedom to this day.