Week of September 15, 2024 – What Do We Do With Anxiety

Description:

In a political season where our country and culture is choosing to fight a fight with one another, we are choosing to fight fear, fight anxiety, and fight the mental health battle at war in so many of us. We are going to fight against the myths of embarrassment when it comes to mental health battles and receiving help. Together, we will fight to find peace that God can provide.

So whether you are trying to move forward after loss or uneasiness about the future, if you don’t understand what you are feeling, hope seems far away. In our new series, Peace of Mind, we go to God’s word and learn how to fight our mental battles and find peace together. This week, take a Biblical look at what we must do when struggling with anxiety.

*Please note, if there are severe mental health concerns for you or a loved one that include severe depression and suicidal thoughts, dial 988 to receive immediate help and support.  Then, reach out to [email protected] for pastoral care.

Dig-In Questions:

1. Do you have any phobias or situations that cause you significant anxiety? (example: public speaking, spiders, snakes, etc.)

Start thinking. Ask a question to get your group thinking.

1. Which part of this message was most impactful for you and why?
2. Anxiety is described as the physical signal of fear or stress. Read Psalm 55:4-7. How did David show anxiety? How do you typically handle anxiety or stressful situations? What’s one thing you’d like to do differently the next time you feel anxious?
3. Read 2 Chronicles 20:1-30. In this story of Jehosaphat, we see a pattern of anxiety (terrified vs. 3) followed by prayer (vs. 6, 9.), pause (vs. 12-13), a change of perspective, praise (vs. 26), and finally, (vs. 15, 17) peace (vs. 29-30).  What pattern do you usually model when anxiety or fear is overwhelming you?

Start sharing. Choose a question to create openness.

1. Share some of the situations or issues that you’re currently facing that are causing anxiety. How could you and others pray over those things?
2. Talk about a time when you felt God with you in the midst of anxiety. What did praising Him look like? How could you praise Him this week?

Start praying. Be bold and pray with power.

1. Example prayer. Father, thank You for caring about us. You’re bigger than our anxieties. Remind us that You hear our prayers and are moving, even if we can’t see it yet. We praise You for who You are. Thank You for seeing us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.