That's how I feel a good part of the time, like a Basket Case.
As I continue to work through things I thought I couldn't handle, while pursuing things I thought I needed, a bible study will land in my lap that just seems to clear it up for me.
As I continue to work through things I thought I couldn't handle, while pursuing things I thought I needed, a bible study will land in my lap that just seems to clear it up for me.
Not to mention that anxiety we can bring upon ourselves.
I'm GUILTY!
I'm GUILTY!
Having a diagnosis of non-specific myopathy years ago sent us on a CRAZY CYCLE for way too many years. Not knowing what to expect or how it will progress, had me thinking of the worse case scenario. Being a Basket Case would have been a mild description. Listening to others opinions created even more anxiety within me, that then caused a domino effect. No one else stacked those domino's but me. And it was me who kept stacking them back up again, then trying to protect them from getting knocked over again. Talk about "CRAZY"!
I learned of Beth Moore some 8 years ago when I began looking for ways to get off that CRAZY CYCLE (Love and Respect). She intimidated me. No way could I ever absorb or understand her studies. "TOO MUCH HOMEWORK!" was a common comment I heard often. Being new to bible study it was suggested to start slow and not be so overwhelmed with all the information. Take it one study at a time, was my way thinking. Even when a study hit deep and hard, and I found myself running for cover, I felt something pulling me back.
God was wanting me to do this, and I soon learned He kept putting the studies in front of me that were getting me to where I needed to be. The "Me. Myself, and LIES" study showed me the lies I told myself, was the best closet cleaning I have ever done.
It opened me up to so I could see JOY along a grieving journey. To fight back and to let God show me the way. I've done many studies in between and more follows. Just like we learn to build a relationship with our husbands, we must build a relationship with God as well. It doesn't matter when in our lives we accept Him, He already knew when we were coming to begin with.
He knew it would take the years it did. He I knew I had to walk to get to where I am. Running away was easier, but I always walked back. It was during these walks I learned the most. He wasn't putting a time line on me, I did that all by myself. He knew exactly what would happen. He's patient, unlike me.
So when Beth Moore started this next 3 part series on ANXIETY, it to hit me like a brick. Coming off of the Longing series, I saw my longing for Him. It caught me on fire. "The Tree of LIFE" grabbed me the most because in 2011, while my son battled bone cancer, out his window was this tree.
The "A" Tree and "The" Tree gave me goosebumps. It was such a bright light going off as she explained the longing here, to the there. This tree here, get's us there! Loved that series.
Imagine my surprise when that lead us right into her next series. Anxiety!
By chance, I think not.
Part One
By chance, I think not.
Part One
She calls it "The Basket Case
She starts us off in 1 Peter 5:5-7
5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Anxiety is really a "Kill Joy"! Right. I can relate to that.Our anxiety lets things come out of our mouth that can even surprise us let alone those caught in the cross hairs. Oh, I am there more then I like and I want so much to get a grip on it and without a magic pill.
2 Corinthians 11:24
24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people,danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food,[b] in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.
Oh, those daily pressures. With all we have today, compared to what they had back then, they might be different times, but it appears to be the same anxiety to me.
33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands. 2 Corinthians 11:30
Talk about a "Basket Case".
I'm in a BASKET!
Welcome to Ministry. Welcome to Marriage. Welcome to Parenting.
Welcome to that new opportunity.
"A tisket, a tasket, I'm sitting in a basket!"
#1 Admit it! Anxiety is MISERABLE!
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety is like a chain around our neck, holding us down. It changes so many things. It weighs us down in a way we were never meant to bare.
We are all stressed, and we are all worried. There's a scale for that too!
Anxiety Scale
1 - I rarely struggle with anxiety.
2 - I sporadically struggle with anxiety.
(a few times a month or less)
3 - I often struggle with anxiety.
4 - Anxiety is one of my biggest struggles.
I am very aware of where I am on that scale. I can be one of all four at different times through out the year. It pops up when I though I had it under control.
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
"Anxieties": Greek MERIMNA-
Anxiety, care that brings disruption
to the personality and the mind.
(Matt. 13:22; Mark 4:19; Luke 18:14,21:34
2 Cor. 11:28; 1 Pet. 5:7)
Resource: Zodhiates, S. (200)
The Complete Word Study Dictionary:
New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers
#2 Anxiety isn't doing our PERSONALITIES any favors.
It's not just a disruption to our minds, it is a disruption to our personalities. It changes us! Who did I become from my anxiety. Oh, I won't want to repeat some of things I've been told when my anxiety created a storm.
Mary and Martha, Beth said, "It's (Luke 10:38-42) a perfect example of two women and their personalities conflicting and having a crash right in the same house together"
How many times have we felt like we were doing all the work?
We decide how it's going to go!
I am so sorry that my anxieties have disrupted some of my relationships. Those of you who were or are being effected by my anxieties, you know who you are, from the depth of my love, I am sorry my ailing has effected you. I'm going to continue turning it around.
I will never be who I once was, I will be someone better!
Part Two
She starts us off with the definition of anxiety.
Full Definition of anxiety
plural
anxieties
- 1a : painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind usually over an impending or anticipated illb : fearful concern or interestc : a cause of anxiety
- 2: an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physiological signs (as sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it
2 Corinthians 1:8-9
2 Corinthians 12:9
She reminds us if we are in Christ, we are mighty! If you keep telling yourself you can't cope, you are just lying to yourself and to others!
Oh my! If asked to raise a hand, my would be up!
She goes on about how those in Christ are able to not be feared by anxiety, but my hands can't write fast enough, nor my fingers type any faster. I'm listening more then I am taking notes.
This is really hitting home and I need to KNOCK IT OFF!
I need to KNOCK ANXIETY OUT OF THE PARK!
I need to TRUST that the one above all, can handle what I cannot!
For me, right now, TRUST and ANXIETY are creating a battle within me that with Christ, I can bring these two things to their resting place so I can rest. I'm so relieved that I am not alone on this journey.
anxious
adjective [Latin anxius; akin to Latin angere
to strangle, distress-more at anger]
circa 1616
Full Definition of anxious
Anxiety shares an
inglorious link
with anger.
Anxiety and Anger come from a similar, if not the same root! We are allowing it to tear us down. To complicate it more, it adds burden to our relationships.
Irritability is a common side effect of anxiety.
Anxiety is care clothed
in fear and intensified
by anger and clamoring
for control.
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7
Anxiety has a
robust remedy:
CAST THAT THING.
Casting. According to ExSyn 630,
"Although treated as an independent command
in several modern translations (e.g.,RSV, NRSV, NIV)<
the participle [casting] should be connected with
the verb of verse 6, [tapeinothete?, Humble yourself]. As such, it is not offering
a new command, but is defining how
believers are to humble themselves."
(The NET Bible First Edition Notes)
NET
Luke 19:28-36
When we cast our anxieties to the Lord
If we cast into limbo
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
It WILL change our personalities
Expectancy is
the perfect swap
for anxiety,
Expectancy isn't denial!
I expect my God to come through!
I'm expecting Jesus to take over.
Part Three
Starts off with 1 Peter 5:5-7 reminding us that that those two verses are linked together.
Cast ALL your cares on him.
Verse 8
It will just be a little while!
verse 10-11
Be sober minded;
Very real devil!
The heart of Jesus is taught or talked to us in the word of god!
The bible is our truth!
There is wrong
There is EVIL
Ephesians 6:11
2 Tim 2:26
I just love how she can connect and explain.
Methodically
Demonic world, devil wats our faith
He can't read our mind but can read our behaviors
We are sealed. We cannot be possessed.
The uncovered place
Temps us, then traps us, then tells on us!
How fast do we repent!
Your to late, she already told me that. Confess!
Attacking anxiety!
Part Three
Starts off with 1 Peter 5:5-7 reminding us that that those two verses are linked together.
Cast ALL your cares on him.
Verse 8
It will just be a little while!
verse 10-11
Be sober minded;
Very real devil!
The heart of Jesus is taught or talked to us in the word of god!
The bible is our truth!
There is wrong
There is EVIL
Ephesians 6:11
2 Tim 2:26
I just love how she can connect and explain.
Methodically
Demonic world, devil wats our faith
Adversary = Opponent
He can't read our mind but can read our behaviors
We are sealed. We cannot be possessed.
The uncovered place
Temps us, then traps us, then tells on us!
How fast do we repent!
Your to late, she already told me that. Confess!
Attacking anxiety!
Anxiety is a
neon sign that says,
"I don't trust God"
When we are all wound up, it leaves a hole, perfect for the devil shoot an arrow through.
Faith is our shield.
Mark 4:18 cares
4:19
Don't fullfil don't produce much fruit
It is the will of God to live an abundant life.
You are meant to be enormously effective
The devil doesn't want us to fullfil our calling
cares, CARES, cares different sizes, different colors
2 cor 2:12-13
Apostle Paul is so loved God it poured out on him
DRIVE THEM CRAZY TILL iT dRIves ThEm TO jEsus!
Our children
are not
our Bosses!
Mother's stop being afraid of your children!
You have a responsibility!
Our callings are wrapped up in our obedience!
Part Four
Beth always recap from last week and starts us off in 1 Peter 5:8;
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (ESV)
Somebody is going to sober up today. She is do direct!
ADDICTIONS!
Alcohol, Porn, Drugs,
Shut them down!
Part Four
Beth always recap from last week and starts us off in 1 Peter 5:8;
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (ESV)
Somebody is going to sober up today. She is do direct!
ADDICTIONS!
Alcohol, Porn, Drugs,
Shut them down!
Be clearheaded.
Keep alert.
1 Peter 5:8 CEB
God wants to speak to us, about coming out of the FOG!
Pray for clarity.
Sometimes we are affected by other people fog.
Ask Him about it.
Pray for the clarity.
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. (1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV)
Don't resist God, RESIST the DEVIL!
STAND FIRM IN YOUR FAITH!
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (1 Peter 4:19 ESV)
There can be suffering in our lives that is not always the consequence of sin.
Life is hard.
There is a remedy either way. All we have to do is repent.
Why are we so scared to repent?
All we have to do is ask.
Entrust ourselves to a faithful Creator.
Suffering makes us wild game to the enemy.
STAND IN YOUR FAITH!
I AM GOING TO BELIEVE GOD!
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
6 do not be anxious about anything...
Philippians 4:6
Cast it to God, let Him deal with it.
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
When it comes to anxiety,
we can pray
or be prey.
Ask God to do this for you. He can do anything! Just ask HIM!
She offer us all a FREE Action Guide that will lead us through the steps to identify our specific area of anxiety. Click HERE.
If you missed any part of this series you can watch it again HERE.
