Your Kryptonite

Anxiety is “kryptonite” to a Christian

Living in the turmoil of anxiety, worry, and fear is actually abnormal for a believer. Peace should be the Christian’s normal condition. Yet many do not enjoy peace as regular part of their daily lives. Anxiety becomes a stronghold that paralyzes people, by cluttering their thinking, killing their dreams, and thereby derailing their destiny.

Anxiety, worry and fear may be influenced by natural things, but they are spiritual in nature. The Bible says that, “God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7). From this we see that the “spirit of fear” does not come from God and therefore is from Satan, who wishes to steal, kill and destroy our lives.

A Spider’s Web

It is difficult to isolate one strand of the anxiety’s web from the rest of the web. It is often difficult to isolate one cause from other related factors. The main thing that anxiety feeds on is the guilt of sin.

When God created Adam and Eve, there was no evidence of anxiety in man. There was perfect harmony between God and His creation. But sin separated Adam and caused him to hide in fear.

Sometimes there are learned anxieties that we’ve picked up during our childhood and adolescent years. There is an accumulation of things that we derive from our experiences. Anxiety can also be empowered by ignorance; the less we know about something, the greater our level of anxiety. Anxiety can also be fueled by our imagination. Many of our fears are imaginary; they’re about what might happen.

False Evidence Appearing Real

Many of our fears come from failing to grasp our position and status in Christ. We are overloaded with guilty feelings and burdened with a poor self-image of who we are in Christ that leads to fear of failure, fear of rejection, and other qualms.

The greatest source of peace comes from applying the power of forgiveness on the source of our guilt.

First, we are to confess our sins and ask God to forgive us through Jesus Christ.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Second, we are to confess our wrong to those we have wronged. Asking forgiveness and making restitution (if appropriate), will help roll away the reproach and restore relationships.

“Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23–24)

Third, we are to forgive ourselves

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

When you were saved, we were placed into union with Jesus Christ. You are one with Him, united in His death, burial, and resurrection. You are His adopted child, placed into His family forever. You are no longer under condemnation. You are completely accepted with God who will never accuse you or berate you.

Fearful thought patterns in a believer must be overcome and replaced with the confident thoughts of the Word of God–your very destiny is at stake here!