Living in An Anxious World

by | May 18, 2017 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

nothing-diminishes-anxiety-faster-than-action-quote-1Recently, I saw a video on Facebook where Max Lucado was touting his new book Anxious for Nothing that comes out September 12th of this year…love me some Max Lucado and can’t wait to pick up what I’m sure will be a page turner!!! 

Enough about my love for all things written by Mr. Lucado….

The information he divulged that grabbed my attention was that he said the U.S. has now become the most anxious country in the world…eek.

Just so you know, I’ve looked everywhere on the internet to find something that supports this data to no avail.  However, I do think that Mr. Lucado has done his own research and probably has some more resources than just Google

These new statistics make me wonder what in the world is going on and what is making us so anxious?

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental illness and affect over 40 million people in the U.S. – which ends up being 18% of the population.  Also, anxiety disorders are more frequent in women than men.

It’s no wonder that God tells us not to be anxious or fearful so much in the Bible!!!  Jeez!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

So, what in the world are we worried about?

Reasons for anxiety are obviously different for everyone, but a few of the culprits might be as follows:

1.       Trying to keep up with the Jones’s

2.       Technology, internet…too much information

3.       Work stress

4.       Too much daily stimulation from outside sources

5.       Traumatic events

6.       Heredity

7.       Chemical, hormonal or physical changes in the body

8.       World events

9.       Achievement motivation

10.   Lack of one-on-one contact due to texting, social media, etc.

What’s interesting about our current cultural anxiety problem is that we are probably safer right now from danger than we have ever been historically.  For example, when was the last time a bear tried to chase you down and eat you? 

It’s been a while for me!!! Hee, hee!

As a fellow fretful American, I can’t tell you how much better I feel knowing that I’m not alone in my anxiety-ridden bubble.  However, the above statistics make me terribly sad that so many people are having similar issues.

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. … Matthew 6:25-34

Lack of trust in God is probably one of the main reasons we face an anxious present and future.  We are so busy trying to live life on our own that we forget about what our true mission in life is and Who we belong to…at least I think this is my problem.

I sound like a broken record, but I struggle with self-worth, guilt, shame, trust and faith that are all connected with my Almighty Father – who I should be trusting to take care of my days, needs, and anxiety.  Instead, I try to deal with life by myself and get upset when God doesn’t automatically take my tribulation away.  UGH!

For me, the issue is anxiety, but I would dare say that we all have something that is keeping us from leading the life that God has intended.  Instead of all of this worrying about it…we should be doing something about it!!!!

Some Wisdom for Today:  Proverbs 3:1-4 – My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

 

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