That’s Not Your Anxiety
The holidays are upon us, which brings a sense of wonder and excitement to many. However, for others, the holiday season brings sadness, depression, and anxiety. I wish it didn’t. I also wish I could somehow reach through the portals of social media, and the interwebs in general, hug your neck and tell you, “Hey friend, that anxiety is not yours. Give it back to the one who sent it.”
You may look at me as if I have a third eyeball. What do you mean, anxiety isn’t mine? It isn’t. I promise you. Oh, dear friend, that anxiety that’s been crippling you, paralyzing you in fear, making you hide in your home, your bedroom, your bed, under your cover—yeah, that’s not yours. I’m sorry you’re experiencing that, but the truth is, you’re being tricked into believing you have something debilitating, when you don’t.
Don’t misunderstand! There was a time… more than forty years, actually… when I lived under the crippling effects of depression and anxiety. Nearly everything caused me to be anxious and have anxiety attacks: home, school, classmates, teachers, the weather, music, movies, TV shows, and more. It seemed as if I was a basket case all the time. I wasn’t, but it didn’t take much to send me over the edge and into days, and often weeks, of feeling anxious, worrying, and fretting over things that never came to be.
I, too, did not know that the depression and anxiety wasn’t mine. I had no idea that what I was experiencing was a spiritual attack on my emotions and body. And that’s what I’ve come to tell you as well.
Don’t keep that anxiety. It isn’t yours. It doesn’t come from Jesus. It never did. Yet, even why you question why He has given you all this—it didn’t come from Him. Even why you pray and ask Him to remove it… why would ask someone who afflicted you to remove the affliction? He didn’t do it. He may have allowed it, but still, it’s not yours to keep. So, give it back. Give it right back to the one who sent it.
In Matthew 6:34, Jesus reminds us: “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (NLT)
My pastor said this about anxiety, “Write that reminder down today like this, “I will not keep the anxiety for more than twenty-four hours.” Which in turn reminds you, it isn’t yours. The anxiety isn’t yours, and it doesn’t come from Jesus. Remember that.” – Melissa McKinnies.
In Philippians 4:6, the apostle Paul also reminds us, “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” (NLT)
You may be thinking, oh sure, easier said than done. How am I supposed to not worry about anything? Well, friend, it’s simple. When those worries surface, PRAY. Hand them over to God. Pray every time they pop into your mind. You may have to do that several times a day… but do it! Yes, it sometimes seems as if it’s easier to say it than to do it, especially when you’re feeling anxious. But can I shed a little light into your darkness? Jesus said we will have trials and troubles in this world (John 16:33). However, He went on to say, “But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (NLT)
There was a saying going around a few years ago that said, “Jesus beat the devil with a big, ugly stick.” Let that soak in a minute. When Jesus went to the cross, when He was beaten, tortured, ridiculed, shamed, and more, He did it all for you and me. It’s true! And when He died, was buried, and then rose again from the dead… my friend, He beat, finished, and secured our future for eternity!
When Jesus did what He did, He conquered death, Hell, and the grave for all of us who have accepted Him as Lord and Savior. However, He never said that we would have an easy-peasy life. He never said we wouldn’t face hard things. But He did say He would be with us through them.
Hang on… through them? Yes. Through. That means we go through stuff. Hard stuff. Stuff that seems to be too hard, but it isn’t. Because Jesus promised that we would go through. That means we come out on the other side of our trials, much better than when we went in! That should excite you!
“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” – Psalms 23:4, NLT (emphasis is mine).
Oh, friendlies, can you see that the anxiety you keep declaring over yourself doesn’t belong to you? Why, then, do you keep claiming, “My anxiety” this and, “My anxiety” that? Give it back! Don’t keep it for more than twenty-four hours. I wouldn’t even keep it that long. A lot can happen in twenty-four hours. Just kick it out now.
Don’t know how? Let me help you.
In the name of Jesus, anxiety, you have to go. You don’t belong here. By the stripes of Jesus, I AM healed! I shall not die but live and declare the works of the Lord! I am the righteousness of God, seated with Christ in the heavenlies. I am the head and not the tail, above and not beneath. I am blessed when I come in and when I go out. I am blessed in the city and blessed in the field. I am also blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies, through Christ Jesus. Therefore, I am more than victorious through Jesus as well, which means that anxiety is beneath me! So today I declare and decree that anything which is not of God, in me, my family, my animals, my house, property, vehicles, job, and ministry, can’t stay! It has to leave NOW, in Jesus’ name. And I thank You, Lord, for your healing and mercies. I now loose Holy Spirit to come and bring peace and restoration, in Jesus’ name, Amen and AMEN!!
You don’t have to be paralyzed by anxiety, depression, fear or anything else. Remember, Jesus is for you, not against you. So, anything that is not positive is not from Him. It’s from the enemy. So, throw it back!
Live today in the freedom that Christ died to give you.
Be blessed, my friends!
