Fear, Anxiety, and Panic (Part 16) - Overcoming Anxiety (Part F)

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Fear, Anxiety, and Panic (Part 16) - Overcoming Anxiety (Part F) 13. Listen to classical music and hymns. A. Listening to classical music has a calming effect on the mind. B. This helped to calm down Saul when he was distressed in mind (1Sa 16:23). C. Singing or listening to hymns does the heart good and helps to put us in a thankful mood (Eph 5:19-20). D. And a merry heart does good like a medicine (Pro 15:13; Pro 17:22). 14. Find a wise and helpful person to talk to. A. It is important to get counsel to deal with life’s challenges (Pro 11:14; Pro 24:6; Pro 15:22; Pro 20:18; Pro 12:15). i. Never forget that the counsel of the Lord (Psa 16:7; Pro 19:21) in the Bible is the best counsel (Psa 119:24). ii. Other counselors can help, but always go to the scriptures first. iii. Always weigh the advice of others against the testimony of God. B. Sharing your struggles with a trusted and wise person can be very helpful when trying to overcome fear and anxiety. C. That person may be a pastor, church member, spouse, parent, friend, or even a professional counselor if necessary. D. Sometimes, telling another person about your fears will calm you down because he will see things as an outsider and can look at the problem logically and rationally and then explain why your fear is unfounded. E. We often just need someone to talk some sense into us. F. Church members should endeavor to comfort one another in times of suffering (1Th 5:11). i. Sometimes people will distance themselves from those who are suffering because it makes them uncomfortable (Psa 38:11; Job 19:14-19). ii. Don’t do that! G. A person who can speak comforting words to a suffering soul is a gift from God. i. A good word makes the heart glad (Pro 12:25). ii. A word spoken in due season is a good thing (Pro 15:23). iii. Pleasant words are sweet to the soul and health to the bones (Pro 16:24). iv. A word fitly spoken is beautiful (Pro 25:11). v. Find a person who knows how to speak a word in season to you when you are weary with anxiety (Isa 50:4), and you will find relief. 15. Accept your station in life. A. If you have a lowly station, care not for it (1Co 7:21). B. Care v. – 1. a. To sorrow or grieve. Obs. (last usage in 1530) 2. a. To be troubled, uneasy, or anxious. b. To feel concern (great or little), be concerned, trouble oneself, feel interest. C. Some people worry and fret about not having as much as others. D. Some people worry about losing their wealth or income, or having it taken from them. E. The solution to these worries and fears is: i. Be content with what you have (Heb 13:5a; Php 4:11-13; 1Ti 6:5-8). ii. Trust that God will never forsake you and will always provide for you (Heb 13:5b; Php 4:19; Psa 34:9-10; Pro 10:3). F. When you are content and trusting in God, you can boldly say that you will not fear what man can do unto you (Heb 13:6). 16. Be wise with your money. A. Get out of debt (Rom 13:8; Pro 22:7). i. Debt is a major cause of anxiety. ii. Being debt-free brings peace of mind. B. Save up a large emergency fund so that you could survive for 6 months or more with no job or income (Pro 6:6-8). i. That safety net will help to alleviate your anxiety about the future. ii. But never trust in your savings (1Ti 6:17). iii. Do your best to prepare, but always trust in the Lord for safety (Pro 21:31). C. Save for the time when you get old and can no longer work, which will prevent you from having anxiety when you are old. 17. Be content with less. A. Having too many things to care for is a source of anxiety (Pro 15:16; Ecc 4:6). B. The care of this world is also linked with the deceitfulness of riches (Mat 13:22). i. Riches can be a source of anxiety (Ecc 5:12). ii. Wealth requires a lot of attention if it is to be maintained and held onto (Pro 27:23-24). iii. Many people live hectic lives because of the desire for more money and the things it can buy. C. Be content with such things as you have (or maybe a lot less than you have) (Heb 13:5; Ecc 6:9). D. “Nature is content with little, grace with less, but lust with nothing.” (Matthew Henry)