Scripture Reference Mark 4:35-41
Anxiety is something that everyone, Christians included, will experience multiple times in their lives. For some, anxiety is the result of life circumstances such as financial, job related, or even relationship and family. For others, unfortunately, anxiety can occur quite often due to mental illness. In a spiritual sense, anxiety can be a result of a divided mind — a kind of inner split that can lead to emotional distress or feelings of inadequacy, where the mind is often fragmented between fear and a desired outcome.
The Enemy
On the surface it may seem that anxiety is the result of external circumstances and pressures, but the Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12 that the believer does not wrestle with flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness. For this reason, the weapons of those that follow Christ are not physical but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). In the context of anxiety, strongholds can be the thought patterns that hold the anxious mind captive. Peter expands on this understanding in 1 Peter 5:8, explaining that the devil is the enemy of you, as a child of God, and is always roaming, seeking to devour you. Although the devil works through physical beings, the devil himself is a spirit who often weaponizes the mind against the children of God.
The Protection of Faith
In Mark 4:35-41 the disciples experience tremendous fear while on a ship in a violent storm. Even with Jesus present — though asleep — on the ship, they still focus on the external circumstances that point to the worst possible outcome. When they awaken Him, verse 39 tells us that, ‘He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace, be still.’ What Jesus says next is the key to calming your inner storm. Jesus asks His disciples “Why are ye so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” It is important that faith doesn’t become a victim of anxiety. Faith and anxiety intersect when we recognize, anxiety is psychological rather than physical, just as faith is rooted in the spiritual realm rather than the physical. Yet both faith and anxiety can produce physical reactions to external conditions that lead to the outcomes we experience. So how exactly can faith be used as protection? 2 Corinthians 10:5 states ‘We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,’ while encouraging God’s children to ‘bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.’ Simply put, we are to focus our attention on the teachings of Christ and God’s truth, rather than allowing our hearts to define our reality. Aligning your thoughts allows the Holy Spirit to comfort and gently guide you, leading you to the truth that enables you to bring negative thoughts into captivity.
Faith in Practice
1 Thessalonians 5:17 states ‘Pray without ceasing.’ Faith in practice includes cultivating a prayer life that runs parallel to your natural life. Prayer is a dialogue with God, not a monologue delivered to God. While we are to give thanks through prayer and ask for what we need and desire, we cannot forget that God wants to engage with us through prayer. It is through this engagement that we receive instruction from God through His Holy Spirit who dwells within the believer. As 1 Corinthians 3:16 teaches, ‘Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?’ Praying when you first awaken is important because, this is the moment you are emotionally vulnerable. The enemy often strikes before you come to your senses. Especially if you’ve had an unsettling dream that awakens with you. This is also why Ephesians 4:26 instructs to ‘not let the sun go down on your anger.’ While you sleep your mind is highly active in the spiritual realm. For this reason, praying before you go to sleep is as important as praying when you awaken. Just as coffee can deliver a midday boost to get you through your day, a midday prayer can do the same when your day becomes challenging. I have an alarm set on my phone for 3PM labeled ‘prayer.’ It is important to understand that prayer can be done silently wherever you may be. John 4:24 teaches us that “God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him, must worship Him in Spirit, and in truth.’ For this reason, silent prayers still reach God, even without being physically isolated in a prayer posture such as kneeling. Reading scriptures every day is as important as praying. For every situation you face in life, there is a scripture that is relevant to it. Indulging in scriptures brings your heart into submission to God. Being in submission to God prepares you to resist the devil — by resisting temptation and rejecting negative thoughts he attempts to plant in your mind.
In Closing
The level of anxiety one faces differs from person to person. In no way am I suggesting there is a simple solution to dealing with anxiety. Nor am I suggesting that prayer and reading Scriptures should replace counseling or therapy in severe and recurring cases. Mental illness is real and should be addressed as an illness. However, it is important to acknowledge the value of faith-based counseling. In recent years medical professionals have found that lifestyle and dietary changes have had positive impacts on some conditions — even in some patients that thought they would be on medication for the rest of their lives. While not every patient has been cured with dietary and lifestyle changes, many have found that faith-based counseling has had a profound impact on their spiritual and mental well-being. Sometimes, the solution is simply changing what we feed our minds. When possible, gaining the advantage over anxiety through faith-centered practices — without the risk of side effects — can be a life-changing approach.
