Biblical Tips for Reducing Anxiety

“…Be still, and know that I am God…”  

• Psalms 46:10

These days more and more people are clinically diagnosed to be anxious. There are probably a multitude of reasons for these unexplained anxieties to creep into one’s head. And often the corporations take advantage of these individuals and start pumping them with drugs and countless billable counseling hours. Maybe we can try to attack anxiety through a spiritual lens.

The Bible teaches us in Philippians 4:6-7:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Also “And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?” in Luke 12: 25-26

Anxiety cripples not only the person who is anxious but even more the people that are in their life. This is exactly what the evil one wants for us. All joy and gladness come from God and the evil one wants to destroy any ounce of hope, love and joy we have in our lives and one of the modern tactics of the devil is to bind human beings in this sad, depressed and anxious world.

Sometimes, it is good to go back to the basics. I will try to put a few things down that can hopefully be used as a guide to try to make your days a little more filled with joy.

1. Try to go to bed a little early.
2. If you can try to wake up without an alarm, but if you have obligations wake up with an alarm but give yourself enough time from when you wake up to when you have to get to work. This is crucial to start your day off right.
3. As soon as you wake up; let the very first thing you do be to thank God for the beautiful day and tell God 3 things that you are grateful for that day. Being grateful for things you have are extremely important to avoid anxiety.
4. Take your time to just enjoy the day and if you can get some sunshine, please do so. If you have the time, say the rosary and if possible, do it outdoors. If any negative thoughts come into your mind, replace them with a positive thought or a grateful thought.

          Example: Bad thought: “Oh no, I have that really stressful meeting today”. Replacement thought: “Yay! I have a job”.

5. During the day take one timed minute to just thank God for being there in your life. You can literally put a reminder on your phone or calendar to do so may be at the 3 PM hour when Jesus died for us.
6. Drink a lot of water to keep you hydrated and calm.
7. Throughout the day keep doing this: If any negative thoughts come into your mind, replace them with a positive thought or a grateful thought.
8. At the end of the day pray once more with a grateful heart.

I hope this article helps at least one family to have a happier life: The life God wants you to have today and every day. Remember that there is always at least one reason to be happy.

Recommended reading: Luke 12:22-34 for reducing anxiety.