Anxiety and fear often go hand in hand. When you have one, you usually have the other. Biblical counselor Stuart Scott defines a biblical definition for both: “Anxiety usually involves worrying about what could possibly happen. Fear goes a step further and is more convinced that what is dreaded will really happen.” In other words, when we have anxiety and fear, we are not focused on God’s plan and purposes, nor are we focused on what is true and beneficial. Instead, we are focused on what may happen and that causes us to worry about the future and focus on self (inner man). Manifestations of worry, fear, and anxiety in the outer man would always be focusing on the circumstances instead of God. That can lead to one not taking care of his or
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When one worries about his or her problems, they are focusing on self and not on glorifying God. The Lord wants us to seek to please Him first, and then to focus on the problem. When Jesus spoke about worry He said, “Seek first the His kingdom and His righteousness” (Matt. 6:33). If we put our desire to get rid of fear and anxiety before pleasing God, then both goals will not be achieved. God cannot take second place. Another factor that can drive fear and anxiety is how we think. Feelings are a response to what we think and believe. If one chooses to tell himself or herself that something bad is going to happen as a result of the circumstance, fear and anxiety will ensue. One must be very careful to pay attention to thoughts and actions (cf. Phil. 4:8). Another biblical factor that drives anxiety and fear is focusing on self. When one is continually fearful, he or she is focused on self and not God. One more example that drives fear and anxiety is not being right with God. We must remember that one who is not born again cannot have true peace but is always anxious and has a fear of God. Even a Christian who is in sin can experience fear and anxiety of the discipline of God (Ps. 38:17-18; Prov. 14:32, 28:1; Heb. …show more content…
The primary goal of any counselee must be to please God; not the removal of anxiety or fear. When the counselee understands that he or she is to please God above everything else, then they are ready to move forward with overcoming anxiety and fear. Jay Adams gives a very important principle in order to overcome anxiety and fear. He states, “The answer is simple and straightforward: You must do the loving thing that God commands in spite of your fear.” Next, the counselee should write down the responsibilities that have been neglected as a result of their anxiety and fear. The next step is to recognize that there is one force that is greater than fear and that is love. John wrote, “Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). The way to put off fear is to put on love. Love is a stronger force than fear, because love casts fear out. If the counselee fears God, then his relationship to God must be examined. If he or she fears man, then the counselor must teach how they can have a loving ministry in which they give himself or herself to
When one worries about his or her problems, they are focusing on self and not on glorifying God. The Lord wants us to seek to please Him first, and then to focus on the problem. When Jesus spoke about worry He said, “Seek first the His kingdom and His righteousness” (Matt. 6:33). If we put our desire to get rid of fear and anxiety before pleasing God, then both goals will not be achieved. God cannot take second place. Another factor that can drive fear and anxiety is how we think. Feelings are a response to what we think and believe. If one chooses to tell himself or herself that something bad is going to happen as a result of the circumstance, fear and anxiety will ensue. One must be very careful to pay attention to thoughts and actions (cf. Phil. 4:8). Another biblical factor that drives anxiety and fear is focusing on self. When one is continually fearful, he or she is focused on self and not God. One more example that drives fear and anxiety is not being right with God. We must remember that one who is not born again cannot have true peace but is always anxious and has a fear of God. Even a Christian who is in sin can experience fear and anxiety of the discipline of God (Ps. 38:17-18; Prov. 14:32, 28:1; Heb. …show more content…
The primary goal of any counselee must be to please God; not the removal of anxiety or fear. When the counselee understands that he or she is to please God above everything else, then they are ready to move forward with overcoming anxiety and fear. Jay Adams gives a very important principle in order to overcome anxiety and fear. He states, “The answer is simple and straightforward: You must do the loving thing that God commands in spite of your fear.” Next, the counselee should write down the responsibilities that have been neglected as a result of their anxiety and fear. The next step is to recognize that there is one force that is greater than fear and that is love. John wrote, “Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). The way to put off fear is to put on love. Love is a stronger force than fear, because love casts fear out. If the counselee fears God, then his relationship to God must be examined. If he or she fears man, then the counselor must teach how they can have a loving ministry in which they give himself or herself to