Be Not Anxious - Amy Lawrence

Women’s Studies Amy Lawrence July 8, 2023

Be Not Anxious

A Study On Conquering Worry

If one were to look at the statistics, it is a truth that women are more prone to worry and anxiety than men. Psychological studies show that this can be attributed to several factors; each gender’s social differences, hormones, size and strength, even sense of morality. It is agreed throughout the medical community that women, due to their worry, are better at staying alive than men - however, we are also more commonly diagnosed with anxiety disorders than men. The Holy Spirit commanded through the apostle Paul that we “be anxious in nothing”, Phil. 4:6. If we as women are both physically and psychologically disposed to worry, how can we keep this command? Let’s find out what God’s word has to say about the matter. If anyone can answer this question, it is our Creator.

The first step to finding the cure for worry is to find the cause. There are as many answers of what worries us as there are branches of a tree, but the root cause is the same for all: fear. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. There are two ends to the spectrum of fear. One is a respectful fear, the other disrespectful. Respectful fear can save one’s life. One of my favorite things to do is horseback riding. I love it, but I equally have a respect for the possibilities if I am not careful. In this, fear is bothnecessary and built upon good sense. Throughout the book of Proverbs, there is a foundation upon which such knowledge, understanding, and wisdom stand. Without this foundation, these three fail. What foundation is of such strength as to hold up the weight of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom? Fear of the Lord. (Pr. 1:7,29; 2:5; 8:13; 9:10; 10:27; 14:26-27; 15:16,33; 16:6; 19:23; 22:4; 23:7)

Our respect of God’s commandments and promises, both the pleasing ones and the difficult ones, are at the heart of a fear of the Lord. It requires an understanding of the might and wisdom of God and a trust in His power, Pr. 3:5-6, Rom. 1:20. Solomon wrote, “Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” (Pr. 31:30) Fear has its place. There are things for which we should always have a respectful fear, Heb. 10:31. “Concern” is also a synonym we use for this type of emotion. Paul had “concern” for the churches, 2 Cor. 11:28, a healthy care for the well- being of the fellow Christians Paul knew and loved. There are also, however, dangers in being on the wrong end of fear. The most chronic worry I face on a daily basis is that for my child. I’ve learned in my motherhood over the last 14 years that sometimes I allow this fear to be a disrespectful fear. Therein is the danger. This end of the ‘fear spectrum’ does not take into consideration all the things I cannot control. It is also a selfish fear. This fear believes that it can control everything and exhausts all energy into attempting to do so. This fear forgets to trust God. It forgets that if we do things God’s way, it all turns out the way it should in the end, Rom. 8:28. It provokes us to seek our own will over God’s and is the first of a long list of vices that will keep us out of Heaven, Rev. 21:8. The original Greek word for fearful (NKJV - cowardly) in this verse is δειλός (deilos). It means “faithless”. We seek our own will because we lack faith in God’s will, in doing things God’s way.

Now for the cure. As a person who has struggled with anxiety for the better part of 23 years, I have tried several different methods to battling it. I am not a medical professional and will therefore not advise on what method anyone should use. I can, however, share the recipe that works for me. My anxiety is controlled with prayer, Bible study, chiropractic care, exercise, nutrition, meditation, and medication. When used properly, these are blessings from God, James 1:17. Scripture is by far my favorite and the best method of meditation, Ps. 1:1-2. It allows me to rest my mind by reminding me Who to trust, Ps. 146, because He is in control, Acts 17:27-28, Rom. 11:36.

I suffered a brain injury when I was 19, and one of the results of that injury was chronic anxiety. At the heart of that issue was sensory overload, especially in social situations. My brain tries to pay attention to everything, all the time. Sorting through what is relevant and what is not is even more of a nightmare, one that takes time and effort and is often confused as me withdrawing into my own mind. I am frequently accused of not paying attention when in fact I am paying attention, my brain is just busy making sure whether or not all the input coming into it is relevant. It is overwhelming and stressful. It has taken many years and many trials and errors to learn how to maintain peace in my own mind. I have good days and bad days just like anyone. When I study scripture, I still have an abundant amount of information coming into my head, but instead of being a torrential thunderstorm, it flows as a calm river - because it is all connected. It is all relevant. It teaches that in God is peace, the cure for anxiety, Phil. 4:6-7, if I keep my mind on God, vss. 8-9, Rom. 8:6. Spiritual peace can also become physical peace. I study my Bible daily because that is the most peaceful place in the world. It teaches us how and where to find comfort and help when needed, Heb. 4:16.

I pray daily because there is no therapist in the world like God. He listens, 1 Jn. 5:14, and He cares, 1 Pet. 5:7. But how can we do these things on such a busy schedule, Amy? One of the most precious sacrifices one can make for God is time, because it is something that we will never get back. It is something that cannot be accumulated. I am a firm believer that if you are too busy for God, you are too busy. There is a portion of every day that I set aside for God and only God. This is how I keep my sanity. I look forward every day to conversing with God through prayer and scripture. If you want this peace of which I speak, if you find anxiety to be your struggle, let’s have a Bible study together. I will be more than happy to share with you the peace I’ve found.