Dave and Bethlie continue their Overcoming Series with part 3 of overcoming anxiety. Do you know someone who struggles with anxiety? Be a blessing to them and send them this series. Reach out and let us know how it has been a blessing in your life and others around you.

1. Decide it is wrong (based on the teaching of Jesus)
   1. It is wrong because the past is over and gone
      1. Healing is available for everything we face
      2. Forgiveness is essential for our wrongs
   2. It is wrong because the future is not here yet
      1. Nothing can ever be done about the future
      2. Only God knows about the future
      3. Jesus is teaching that it is wrong to allow tomorrow's problems to tear you apart today
   3. It is wrong because only God knows the future
   4. It is wrong because it damages today
      1. Today is a gift from God
      2. We should handle our emotions wisely so we can fully live for Him today
2. Know the difference between worry and planning
   1. Planning is preparing for the future while simultaneously leaving it all in God's hands and trusting God's goodness.
   2. Worry does not plan.
      1. Anxiety assumes the worst
      2. Anxiety presumes to know outcomes
      3. Anxiety gives into our feelings rather than make an attempt to overcome them.
      4. Anxiety accepts our feelings as the norm of our life.
3. Redirect your concerns
   1. Emotions are not wrong
      1. They are right when they are used properly according to the commands and principles of God's Word
         1. Move into Psalms
         2. They show us that emotions are real
         3. They show us that life is hard
         4. They also show us that truth trumps it all
      2. Emotional concern is the God-given ability to mobilize the forces of our bodies and minds to focus upon a problem and solve it.
      3. Anxious concern is when we focus on our problems and hang onto them.
         1. Literally all the energy is released but has it has nowhere to go
            1. This energy can even eat away at the lining of the stomach
            2. This energy leaves us feeling hopeless and helpless
            3. This energy often leads us into other issues
               1. Depression
               2. Social withdrawal
               3. Loss of sexual desire

Part 2 of this Overcoming Anxiety series begins with answering the question, what is anxiety?

From Jesus' teaching

1. 1. Matthew 6:31
   2. Anxiety is concern over things future
   3. It is concern over something you can do nothing about
   4. It is concern over something we cannot ever be sure about
   5. It is also concern over something that is in the past

From Banner Health

Someone with an anxiety disorder experiences more than just occasional worry. They often feel afraid, tense or uneasy about something with an uncertain outcome.

"Symptoms of anxiety can make sleeping, focusing or completing everyday tasks difficult," Dr. Brenner Freeman (MD, Psychiatrist) said. "Some people may notice racing thoughts that make it hard to concentrate, while others feel tension in their muscles, rapid heartbeat or stomach problems."

What anxiety might look like in:

• Children: Trouble with transitions, clinginess or tantrums
• Teens: Avoiding school, withdrawing socially and excessive worry about fitting in
• Adults: Irritability, difficulty concentrating or pulling back from work and relationships

Aside: This seems to be rather normal for almost every child, teen, and adult. Which leads to the question - What do we do about it as Christians?

Overcoming anxiety

1. Decide it is wrong (based on the teaching of Jesus)
   1. Healing is available for everything we face
   2. Forgiveness is essential for our wrongs
   1. Nothing can ever be done about the future
   2. Only God knows about the future
   3. Jesus is teaching that it is wrong to allow tomorrow's problems to tear you apart today
   1. Today is a gift from God
   2. We should handle our emotions wisely so we can fully live for Him today
   1. It is wrong because the past is over and gone
   2. It is wrong because the future is not here yet
   3. It is wrong because only God knows the future
   4. It is wrong because it damages today

Grab your Bible and turn to Matthew 6:25 and join Dave and Bethlie as they discuss Overcoming Anxiety.

Understanding anxiety

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the U.S., affecting over 40 million adults (19.1%) annually, with roughly 31% of adults experiencing an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. Females are more likely to be affected (23.4%) compared to males (14.3%)

Key Anxiety Statistics

• Prevalence: Nearly 1 in 3 adolescents (ages 13-18) will experience an anxiety disorder.
• Adult Prevalence: Around 19.1% of U.S. adults aged 18+ have an anxiety disorder, with 22.8% of those cases classified as serious impairment.
• Types:
• • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Affects 6.8 million U.S. adults (2.7% prevalence).
  • Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD): Affects 15 million adults, typically beginning at age 13.
  • Panic Disorder: Affects 6 million adults.
• Gender Differences: Women are twice as likely to be affected by anxiety disorders than men.
• Treatment: Only 43.2% of people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder receive treatment.
• Impact: Approximately 70% of adults feel anxious about the state of the world, including economy, personal health, and new technologies.

1. The effects of anxiety
   1. Ulcers
   2. Loss of joy
   3. Inability to cope
   4. Failure to trust God (sometimes is a cause; other times is an effect)
   5. Failure to overcome
      1. Often rooted in the belief that this is just the way I am
      2. Or the believe that I can't overcome it

1. The greek word that is used
   1. "Merimnao"
   2. To divide, part, rip, tear apart

Jesus taught about anxiety

• it is often a part of our lives
• it should not be a part of our lives
• it should be put away
• it should be overcome