By sites
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October 3, 2024
The Holeman Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines Anxiety as a state of mind wherein someone is concerned about something or someone. This state of mind may range from genuine concern to obsessions that may stem from a distorted perspective of life. Anxiety is psychologically experienced as a combination of looming dread or impending danger and a vague uneasiness. Associated symptoms of mild agitation, racing thoughts, impaired sleep, and difficulty in calming oneself are all common phycological responses. There are parallel physiological experiences of sustained muscle tension and/or trembling, increased heart rate, and disturbed breathing—either as hyperventilation (i.e., breathing too fast) or as a tendency to hold one’s breath. These characteristics produce a sense of heightened awareness or alertness that frequently disturbs concentration, memory, and a person’s ability to feel emotionally comfortable. These psychological and physiological responses combine to make anxiety a psychophysiological disturbance. Remember, Jesus was not against genuine concern about food or shelter, but He did teach that we should keep things in their proper perspective. If we make God’s kingdom our first priority; everything else will fall in line after we do that. Matthew 6:31-34 teaches: 31 “So don’t be anxious, asking, ‘What will we eat?’ ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘How will we be clothed?’ 32 For it is the pagans who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. 33 But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Don’t worry about tomorrow—tomorrow will worry about itself! Today has enough trouble already! In Luke 12:25,26 Jesus brings up the pointe that: 25 "Can any of you by worrying add an hour to his life? 26 If you can’t do a little thing like that, why worry about the rest? Jesus is teaching us that it makes no sense to worry and obsess over things we have no control over. If we humble ourselves to God's authority and cast our cares and concerns on Him, He will have our back. In religious circles, we say God has a plan. In secular sources we say that the universe or "MIND" is guiding us to a purpose. A mentor of mine, Ryan Blair , teaches as one of the principles that he lives by is the fact that "We are not always where we want to be, but we are always where we need to be. We only need trust that there is a plan and a reason and ask the question, "What am I meant to learn from this?" "We are not always where we want to be, but we are always where we need to be." The Freedom Journey Framework operates on these premises and helps us gain control over our thoughts and emotions and experience the calm and peace of realizing "There is a Plan and He has our backs." Thanks for reading!