As we conclude the series on Overcoming Anxiety, Dave and Bethlie finish with steps four and five.

4. Focus on immediate problems - that is concrete reality

1. 1. What is the problem/my problem?
   2. What does God want me to do about it?
      1. The answer to this is found in the BIBLE
      2. If no answer is found in the Bible, the answer is found in Wisdom
         1. Ask God for it
         2. Ask Counsel of Godly elders
   3. When should I begin doing something about it?
   4. Where should I begin to do something about it?
      1. Get training
      2. Change my outlook
      3. Read books that help address the issue
   5. How should I begin to solve the problem/my problem?

5. Plan for future accomplishment

1. 1. Set goals
      1. Financial ones
      2. Physical ones
         1. Walking is a wonderful exercise that is a gift from God
         2. Work is a gift from God too
      3. Emotional ones
         1. Learn to laugh
            1. A merry heart does good like a medicine
         2. Embrace gratitude
            1. In everything give thanks
         3. Practice prayer
            1. I sought the Lord and He heard me
   2. Pray over today and tomorrow
   3. Trust God for all of it
   4. Matthew 25
   5. Servant worried and did nothing
   6. Servant became lazy and did nothing
   7. Servant lost
      1. Financially
      2. Emotionally
      3. Spiritually
      4. Eternally

Dave and Bethlie continue their Overcoming Series with part 3 of overcoming anxiety. Do you know someone who struggles with anxiety? Be a blessing to them and send them this series. Reach out and let us know how it has been a blessing in your life and others around you.

1. Decide it is wrong (based on the teaching of Jesus)
   1. It is wrong because the past is over and gone
      1. Healing is available for everything we face
      2. Forgiveness is essential for our wrongs
   2. It is wrong because the future is not here yet
      1. Nothing can ever be done about the future
      2. Only God knows about the future
      3. Jesus is teaching that it is wrong to allow tomorrow's problems to tear you apart today
   3. It is wrong because only God knows the future
   4. It is wrong because it damages today
      1. Today is a gift from God
      2. We should handle our emotions wisely so we can fully live for Him today
2. Know the difference between worry and planning
   1. Planning is preparing for the future while simultaneously leaving it all in God's hands and trusting God's goodness.
   2. Worry does not plan.
      1. Anxiety assumes the worst
      2. Anxiety presumes to know outcomes
      3. Anxiety gives into our feelings rather than make an attempt to overcome them.
      4. Anxiety accepts our feelings as the norm of our life.
3. Redirect your concerns
   1. Emotions are not wrong
      1. They are right when they are used properly according to the commands and principles of God's Word
         1. Move into Psalms
         2. They show us that emotions are real
         3. They show us that life is hard
         4. They also show us that truth trumps it all
      2. Emotional concern is the God-given ability to mobilize the forces of our bodies and minds to focus upon a problem and solve it.
      3. Anxious concern is when we focus on our problems and hang onto them.
         1. Literally all the energy is released but has it has nowhere to go
            1. This energy can even eat away at the lining of the stomach
            2. This energy leaves us feeling hopeless and helpless
            3. This energy often leads us into other issues
               1. Depression
               2. Social withdrawal
               3. Loss of sexual desire

Part 2 of this Overcoming Anxiety series begins with answering the question, what is anxiety?

From Jesus' teaching

1. 1. Matthew 6:31
   2. Anxiety is concern over things future
   3. It is concern over something you can do nothing about
   4. It is concern over something we cannot ever be sure about
   5. It is also concern over something that is in the past

From Banner Health

Someone with an anxiety disorder experiences more than just occasional worry. They often feel afraid, tense or uneasy about something with an uncertain outcome.

"Symptoms of anxiety can make sleeping, focusing or completing everyday tasks difficult," Dr. Brenner Freeman (MD, Psychiatrist) said. "Some people may notice racing thoughts that make it hard to concentrate, while others feel tension in their muscles, rapid heartbeat or stomach problems."

What anxiety might look like in:

• Children: Trouble with transitions, clinginess or tantrums
• Teens: Avoiding school, withdrawing socially and excessive worry about fitting in
• Adults: Irritability, difficulty concentrating or pulling back from work and relationships

Aside: This seems to be rather normal for almost every child, teen, and adult. Which leads to the question - What do we do about it as Christians?

Overcoming anxiety

1. Decide it is wrong (based on the teaching of Jesus)
   1. Healing is available for everything we face
   2. Forgiveness is essential for our wrongs
   1. Nothing can ever be done about the future
   2. Only God knows about the future
   3. Jesus is teaching that it is wrong to allow tomorrow's problems to tear you apart today
   1. Today is a gift from God
   2. We should handle our emotions wisely so we can fully live for Him today
   1. It is wrong because the past is over and gone
   2. It is wrong because the future is not here yet
   3. It is wrong because only God knows the future
   4. It is wrong because it damages today