Worry & Anxiety
What do weeds do in a garden?
Well the bad news for other plants in a garden trying to grow with weeds, is that the weeds compete for nutrients, stunting the growth for what's around it. When looking at the first 2 “weeds” of this series: worry & anxiety, we have to first recognize that they are in fact weeds. Worry & anxiety are not tattooed to your identity & you can be freed from them.
In a book called, Well-Watered Woman by Gretchen Saffles, she says, “your identity has roots – unseen, hidden, yet manifested in how you live. Our sense of identity is ultimately rooted in what we believe about God and ourselves.” What do you believe God thinks about you? What do you think of yourself? Where are you rooted?
Overcoming Worry & Anxiety | Part 2 | Weeds in My Garden (Mental Health)
Surrender anxious thoughts and fears to Jesus and be renewed by his love and strength
Read below Luke 8:22-25, Jesus Calms the Storm:
One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so the boat was being swamped and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “ Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
Even Jesus’s disciples were afraid. They were worried. They were anxious. It says here that they were in great danger! That’s what the weeds in our garden do to us. They make us feel like we are in danger. But Jesus is here for each of us through the storms and all he calls us to do is put our faith in him. Embrace the waves, and do not be afraid. Jesus did not let the disciples down and he won’t let you down either.
Holly's Story
You're not alone in your struggle with worry & anxiety. There are many ways to get help and find hope.
Positive Affirmation
As you go about your week, hold tight to these words. Repeat them as needed to eliminate negative or unhelpful thoughts that may be holding you back.
We serve a God who never fails. You are not alone in your circumstance,
Jesus is always with you. He will never forsake you.
Supporting Scripture
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here.
2 Corinthians 5:17 | NIV
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10 | NLT
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
1 John 3:1 | NIV
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1 | NIV
But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
Isaiah 53:5 NLT
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
Ephesians 3:12-13 | NIV
Bible Plans
(7-day plan) Anxious For Nothing - Life.Church
(5-day plan) Get Out Of Your Head - Jennie Allen
Sermon Series
Anxious For Nothing - Mountain Preaching Team
Podcasts
The Panic Pod - Joshua Fletcher
Meditation
Breath Prayer
Breath Prayer Practice Verses
Apps
Centering Prayer App (free; IOS and Android)
Additional Resources
Book | Get Out Of Your Head, By Jennie Allen
Book | Untangle Your Anxiety, By Joshua Fletcher
Book | The Anxious Truth, By Drew Linsalata
Book | Kill The Spider, By Carlos Whittaker
Book | The Ruthless Elimination Of Hurry, By John Mark Comer
Music | Weeds In My Garden Playlist resource from Mountain Worship