Practical Bible Advice on Dealing With Anxiety - Continue

 2, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens his friend. - PROVERBS27:17.

Meaning: Other people can help us deal with our anxieties-if let them. They may be able to give us some practical suggestions based on their own life experience. At the very least, they can probably give us an outside perspective on the situation. 

Try this: Think of someone who might have good advice to offer, such a friend who has dealt with a problem similar to one you are facing. Ask him what worked or did not work for him. 

Next time: Practical Bible Advice on Dealing With Anxiety -Conclusion

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Practical Bible Advice on Dealing With Anxiety

 The Bible contains a wealth of reliable advice that can help us when we are anxious. Consider three examples.

1. "Never be anxious about the next day, for the next day has its own troubles." - MATTHEW 6:34. 

Meaning:  We are wise to avoid excessive worry about what may (or may not) happen in the future. Oftentimes, things do not turn our the way we fear they will. In some cases things even unexpectedly change for the better. 

Try this: Recall times in the past when you were certain that something bad would happen-but it did not. Then evaluate your current worries, trying to be as realistic as possible about how likely they are to become major issues.

Next time: Practical Bible Advice on Dealing With Anxiety - Continue

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Anxiety in Men-How the Bible Can Help

 When you think of a person who is dealing with anxiety, you might picture someone who is paralyzed with fear, someone who can barely get out of bed in the morning, or someone who talks a lot about endless worries.

Some people do react in these ways when dealing with anxiety. But researchers have found that others - especially men-may ten to react differently. One report states that men are more likely to use alcohol and drugs to cope with anxiety, so what looks like a drinking problem may actually be an underlying anxiety disorder. And anxiety in men often manifests an anger and irritability.

Of course, not all men react the same way. But regardless of a person's reaction to it, anxiety is a growing problem in these "critical times [that are] hard to deal with." (2 Timothy 3:1) If you are dealing with anxiety, can the Bible help you?

Next time: Practical Bible Advice on Dealing with Anxiety

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THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT - Will we ever be free of anxiety?

 WHAT PEOPLE SAY

"We are entering a new age of anxiety," said journalist Harriet Green in a 2008 article in The Guardian. In 2014, Patrick O'Connor wrote in the Wall Street Journal that "Americans are registering record levels of anxiety." 

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

"Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up."(Proverbs 12:25) An especially "good word" can be found in the good news of God's Kingdom. (Matthew 24:14) That Kingdom, a government by God, will soon do what we alone could never do-eliminate all anxiety by removing the root causes, including sickness and death! "[God] will wipe out every tear from our eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore." -REVELATION 21:4. 

"May the God who gives hope fill you will all joy and peace by your trusting in him." - ROMANS 15:13.

Next time: Anxiety in Men -How the Bible Can Help

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THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT-How Can you deal with undue anxiety?

 THE REALITY

People may be anxious about past misdeeds, the future,  or finances.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

Concern about past misdeeds: Before becoming Christians, some people in the first century were drunkards, extortioners, sexually immoral, and thieves. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) Rather than dwell on their past, they changed their ways and trusted in God's great mercy, which he extends willingly. "With you [God] there is true forgiveness, so that you may held in awe," says PSALM 130:4.

Uncertainty about tomorrow: "Never be anxious about the next day," said Jesus Christ, "for the next day will have its own anxieties." (Matthew 6:25, 34) His point? Address today's concern: Do not compound them by bringing tomorrow's forward, which can cloud judgment and lead to rash decision. Also keep in mind that many anxieties may later prove to be unwarranted. 

Money worries: A wise man once prayed: "Give me neither poverty nor riches." (Proverbs 30:8) Instead, he sought contentment-a feeling that merits God's approval. At Hebrews 13:5, we read: "Let your way of life be free of the love of money, while you are content with the present things. For [God] has said: "I will never leave you, and I will never abandon you." Unlike money, which can-and does- fail, God never fails those who trust in him and lead a simple life. 

Next time: THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT - Will we ever be free from anxiety?

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THE BIBLE'S VIEW POINT /Anxiety

 Anxiety has two faces. One is a liability, the other, an asset. The Bible helps us to recognize both kinds.

Is it normal to be anxious? 

THE REALITY

Anxiety involves feelings of uneasiness nervousness or worry. Because we live in a uncertain world, bouts of anxiety can overtake any of us. 

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

King David wrote: "How long will have anxious concern, with grief in my heart each da?" (Psalm 13:2) What helped David to cope? He poured out his heart to God in prayer, trusting fully in God's loyal love. (Psalm 13:5; 62:8) In fact, God invites us to unburden ourselves to him. "Throw all your anxiety on [God], because he cares for you, says PETER 5:7. 

Often, though, we can allay anxieties by addressing them in a practical way.  For example, when the Bible writer Pau felt anxiety for all the congregations," he worked hard to comfort and encourage those for whom he was concerned. (2 Corinthians 11:28) In that respect, his anxiety proved to be asset, for it moved him to extend needed help. The same can be true of us. The opposite attitude - apathy or indifference - would indicate a lack of loving concern. - PROVERBS 17:17. 

Next time: THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT /Anxiety - How can you deal with undue anxiety?

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HOW TO DEAL WITH ANXIETY -FOLLOWING JESUS' ADVICE - Conclusion

 "We now understand clearly that what humans need to survive is, not work or money, but food. We eagerly await the time when God's promise will be fulfilled: 'There will be an abundance of grain on the earth.' In the meantime, 'having food and clothing, we will be content with these things.' We draw strength from the Bible's words: "Let your way of life be free of money, while you are content with the present things. For he said: I will never leave you, and I will never abandon you." So that we may be of good courage and say: "Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid.

It takes genuine strength to 'walk with God' as Paul and his family are doing.  (Genesis 6:9) Whether we now face a serious financial crisis or may one in the future, Paul's example of faith and practical wisdom teaches us important lessons.

But what if family problems are causing us anxiety? 

Next time: THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT/Anxiety

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HOW TO DEAL WITH ANXIETY - FOLLOWING JESUS' ADVICE

 Paul continues: "Jesus said: 'Never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles.' So my daily prayer was simply that God would 'give us today our bread for this day' in order for us to survive. And he did help, just as Jesus promised. We didn't always get our first choice. Once, I got to the food line not knowing what was being sold. When I got the front, I saw that it was yogurt. I don't like yogurts. But it was food, so we ate yogurt that night. I am grateful to God that during that entire period, my family never went to be hungry." 

"Things are easier for us financially at the moment. But through our experiences we have learned that the most important antidote to anxiety is to trust in God. Jehovah will always help us as long as we keeping seeking to do his will. We have seen the truthfulness of Psalm 34:8: 'Taste and see that Jehovah is good; happy is the man who takes refuge in him.' As a result, we are not afraid of facing difficult economic circumstances again.

Next time: FOLLOWING JESUS' ADVICE - Conclusion

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HOW TO DEAL WITH ANXIETY -Anxiety About Money -Conclusion

 Tragically, God's great enemy, Satan had tricked most of the world into centering their lives around physical concerns. People worry desperately about their needs, real and imagined, and strive anxiously to obtain things they do not really need. Many go into debt, learning the hard way that "the borrower is a slave to the lender." - PROVERBS 22:7.

Some people make damaging decisions. "Many neighbors left their family and network of friends to search for 'greener pastures' abroad," relates Paul. "Some went without proper immigration papers and were unable to find work. They often found themselves hiding from the police and sleeping in the streets. They did not give God an opportunity to help them. But we resolved to face financial problems together as a family, with God's help." 

Next time: HOW TO DEAL WITH ANXIETY - FOLLOWING JESUS' ADVICE

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HOW TO DEAL WITH ANXIETY - Anxiety About Money

 "After runaway inflation struck in our country, food became expensive and scarce," relates Paul, a husband and father of two. "We stood in lines for hours, but often the food ran out before we got to the front of the line. People got terrible thin from hunger, and some collapsed in the street. Prices for basic needs soared into the millions, then billions. Finally the local currency became valueless. I lost my bank account, insurance and pension." 

Paul was aware that, for his family to survive, he had to use "practical wisdom." (Proverbs 3:21) "I was an electrical contractor, but I took whatever work I could find, at much less than normal pay," he explains. "Some paid me in food or household goods. If I was paid four bars of soap, "I'd use two and sell the others. I eventually got 40 chicks. When they got big, I sold them and bought 300 more. Later I bartered 50 chickens for 110-pound (50 kg) bags of cornmeal. From those bags, I fed my family and several other families for a long time." 

Paul also knew that the most practical thing anyone can do is trust in God. When we do what God commands, he helps us. In regard to obtaining life's necessities, Jesus said: "Stop being in anxious suspense: for . . . your Father knows you need these things." - LUKE 12:29-31.

Next time: Anxiety About Money -Conclusion

From the jw.org publications