When dealing with stress and anxiety, we often turn to bad habits and choices. These choices might give you a temporary reprieve from the pain you are feeling, but they are in no way solutions. The following self-medication or unhealthy behaviors is an attempt to relieve the pressure they feel.

• Excessive alcohol drinking.
• Excessive drug use.
• Binge eating or snacking
• Excessive Television/Internet viewing
• Withdrawing from friends or partners
• Under eating or weight loss
• Sleeping too much
• Taking up smoking or smoking more than usual

How did I deal with the Stress and Anxiety

Prior to being saved by Jesus, I would resort to excessive alcohol drinking. I would start drinking right after work, all the way through dinner, and ended with a drink on my nightstand to fall asleep.

I would wake up in the morning, feeling just as stressed and anxious as the day before, just a little hung over. It was a very hollow existence. It was also a very dark existence. I would traverse through days, weeks, months, and years never solving the issues that were causing my stress and anxiety. I would just mask the problem by drinking.

How does the Bible teach us to deal with Stress and Anxiety

The Bible offers many comforting verses to help people cope with stress and anxiety, providing peace, encouragement, and reminders of God’s presence and promises. Here are some key verses that can offer comfort during challenging times:

Here are some Bible passages to offer comfort from Stress and Anxiety

Philippians 4:4-7;

4: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again. Rejoice!”

5: “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”

6: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

7: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

These verses remind us to bring our worries to God in prayer and trust that His peace will guard our hearts and minds.

Matthew 11:28-30

28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

29: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

30: “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Jesus invites those who are tired and anxious to find rest in Him, promising a gentle and light burden when we walk with him.

Psalm 55:22

22: “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you.”

This passage encourages believers to trust in God’s sustaining power, reassuring us that He will not allow us to be overwhelmed.

What I did to help reduce Stress and Anxiety

One of the activities I did back in the day, was to walk in book stores and spend some time, walking the aisles. I would mainly focus on the areas of “Self Help”. Self help books are always very popular when the country is struggling and people are looking for relief from these books.
I would comb the aisles looking for some help from these published self help guru’s. I would browse through hundreds of these books. One day I saw a small blue book simply titled “Prayers”. I’m not sure if the book was in the wrong section, but I picked it up and opened it.
I instantly felt a calmness as I read the first prayer. I bought the little blue book and carried it with me for over a year. I would read my favorite prayers/verses over and over again. Those prayers and verses were small miracles in my life.

Read these 3 passages every morning for the next 30 days

By reading these 3 passages for the next 30 days, you will start to understand that you are not alone with your stress and anxiety. You will understand that you’re Lord and Creator, doesn’t want you to suffer, but to thrive. To live in Peace, to live a joyful existence.
Use these passages in your prayers and meditation when you are asking God to help you with these feelings of stress and anxiety.

Please leave a comment if you have some passages or methods you may have used to help you relieve your stress and anxiety.

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