As we continue the series “Silent Battles”, we will focus on anxiety for this message. The CDC estimates that 50% of all Americans will be diagnosed with a mental disorder at some point in their life. Too many struggle in silence. People need hope.
At normal levels, anxiety is a manageable experience where our senses are heightened until a circumstance passes. But there is a group of people who know what it is to have anxiety rule EVERY moment. For these, the experience is not mild or brief, but severe and chronic.
For those living without the struggle, someone else’s fear can seem illogical. But what we must understand is their anxiety is not about what’s on the surface. It is a complex combination of factors that includes past wounds, current pressures, chemical imbalances, and spiritual oppression. Those who suffer from anxiety may need a prescription or therapy, but we have a spiritual enemy who is an opportunist and will take advantage. He will pile on the lies, shame and confusion. He knows that fear leads us further from where we want to be.
Anxiety is an attack. Will you attack back? Galatians 5:1 reminds us that Christ has set us free. But it also exhorts us to make sure we stay free. “Don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” There’s a part God plays in our freedom walk and there’s a part we play. Don’t just accept the condition of anxiety! You are in a fight. The symptoms are real. But you have the mind of Christ, you are filled with the spirit of God. You will overcome because God has not given you a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. Attack back.
When Joshua was faced with leading the Israelites in the Battle of Jericho, God had to repeatedly encourage him. The enemy does not want us to inherit our promised land. When faced with the enemies' schemes and ploys, we often build walls to get through the anxiety - relationally, experientially, and even toward God. We feel protected by doing this but we’ve really built a prison, only living where we can seemingly control everything, suffering alone. It’s our own version of solitary confinement. The walls of Jericho gave Joshua every reason to quit. But God showed up and gave him a plan. We can use these same weapons that God gave Joshua.
- Remember God's faithfulness. Fear makes us forgetful. When we forget what God has done in the past, how He’s healed and restored us, it’s hard for us to believe He’s with us in the present. In Joshua 4:5-7, God had them set up a memorial to remind them of what He had done. This was a weapon to attack forgetfulness, right where they entered the promised land, reminding them of the faithfulness and provision of the Lord. Have a system to remember what God has done, whether it’s journaling or sticky notes, or pictures, whatever works best for you. Gratitude is an intentional act. He reigns over all and He is with us. In the middle of the worst panic attack and on the best day, He is with you. This will bring peace into the present as you magnify God, focusing on Him and His work in your life.
- Recruit an army to march with you. Invite others into the fight. Joshua 6:2-3 tells us that Joshua had an army. Walls isolate, armies liberate. Who’s in your army? Family can give you unconditional love. They may be hard to open up to but they probably already see you are struggling. Friends and your church community can offer prayer, practical help, and encouragement. Doctors and counselors can offer professional help medically and emotionally. Make sure your selection of your army is solid. You want people who will encourage you in your faith. When you fight silent battles, you keep things in the dark. This holds you back and causes harm. Nothing healthy grows in the dark. Secrets make you sick and keep you sick.
- Joshua got a wake up call that it was not all up to him. You don’t have to carry all this alone. In Joshua 5:14-15, God showed up to Joshua and he was told to take off his sandals, that he was on holy ground. God was with him in a very real way! We get wrapped up in our anxiety and don’t pray, don’t get into God’s presence, because we think prayer is another thing we have to do. It seems we can’t stop long enough to pray, but prayer will release the pressure. In Joshua’s day, they took off their shoes when they arrived home, which was a place of rest and care. When you release control through prayer you enter into God’s rest.
- The reality is that each struggle is different and resolution looks different for every person. That’s why I’m a proponent of replacing the idea of being “cured” with “continually getting better”. Meaning, I don’t have to wait till the struggle is completely gone to know God is at work. God-sized results come step by step. With that in mind, celebrate every step, every lap. In Joshua’s case, they went around Jericho once every day for six days, and then on the seventh day after they circled the city seven times, they shouted and blew the ram’s horn (Josh 6:20). Normally, the horn was blown after the victory. But in this case, they blew it before they saw victory. Celebrate how far you’ve come. Praise God for what you know He’s done and what you expect to see Him do. You’re closer than you’ve ever been. Stay in faith. Don’t give up.
Stand up and attack back. The answer is on the way. You can be free. You can be healed. Do what you can in the natural. God will do the impossible. You may have to walk around the wall again. But suddenly, In a moment, freedom will come.
