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Prescription for Anxiety Relief

A “stronghold”, as used in 2 Corinthians 10:4, is a battle term, much like a “bunker”. A stronghold can be a safe place to dwell until you have figured out a battle plan to attack an enemy. But, if fear and worry are the emotions that dominate your thinking while hiding in the shelter, you’ll quickly be over-taken by your enemy. When fearful thinking outruns your body’s natural defense mechanism to respond to a threat, you become vulnerable to the enemies attack because your body and soul are busy fighting amongst themselves. 

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There is a difference between the feeling of stress and the feeling of anxiety. Stress is meant to be a short-term, biological response that helps your body fight off intruders. A stronghold can be likened to a place where you go while your body generates a chemical response to the stress you feel, producing the natural energy you need to narrow your thinking so your respond appropriately. Anxiety, however, is a psychological reaction to a stressful situation where you project negative thoughts and feelings/emotions into the future that stimulates fear and perpetuates a negative imagination (causing worry as opposed to confidence). This mindset traps you in the stronghold so your enemy can overtake you. Choosing to stay in a stronghold longer than necessary prolongs your indecisiveness which leads to procrastination. Most often, anxiety comes from the uncertainty of an unbounded imagination. Sometimes we find ourselves facing a situation where we may know the right thing to do - yet we choose not to do it because you are weary, drained of your confidence and energy, because of a mindset directed by anxiety (Romans 1:21, Matthew 26:4, Isaiah 40:30-31, Hebrews 12:3). Applied to Christianity, the Apostle James describes this as a "faith without works" (James 2:26).

 

Anxiety is when you are stuck in worry. It is a chosen reaction to your thoughts. Christians and non-believers alike are both subject to emotions and react to unmet expectations, real or imagined, when things don’t go as anticipated (Matthew 5:45). Anxiety is man’s reaction to the stress of uncertainty, but either faith or unbelief can be a Christian’s response to that same uncertainty. As Christians, we are empowered to choose hope over dread. We have the power of the Holy Spirit to react to uninvited thoughts with hope and optimism because of our faith and trust in our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:16-18, Psalm 143:10, Exodus 14:14). But as free agents, chosen by God, we must desire to follow the Spirit’s leading to fulfill this hope and experience the peace of God (Romans 14:17, 1 Corinthians 9:10, Philippians 4:9, Psalm 1).

 

We may find ourselves facing a situation where we may know the right thing to do - yet we choose not to do it because of our emotional insecurities (Matthew 26:41, 1 John 2:16, Genesis 3:3-6). When Christians allow emotions to direct behavior, it’s time to retreat to the bunker. It’s in the bunker where you recharge your confidence, so you regain your strength to endure the battle, according to God’s plan. This is the strategy the Apostle James recommends when Christian’s face trials. It’s the implementation of the Word of God that wins the battle. Christians are to use the bunker just long enough to consult the Bible and create a plan of attack. It’s then when you can charge toward the enemy using actions that demonstrate faith (James 1:8, 22-25). James goes on to say in 2:26, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

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Christians need to recharge their faith when in the midst of the battle because it wards off a condition called unbelief. Weariness erodes faith; it exposes your vulnerability. In this physical world, your faith may be inconsistently displayed, based on the amount of unbelief that get's mixed into your faith. Instead of hope, you can choose to let the fear that fills your soul lead your behavior. Unbelief is believing something other than what God has said about a situation. Your faith works conditionally based on the amount of unbelief hidden in your heart. 

Instead of hope, you can choose to let fear-based emotions lead your behavior. When you fear rules your behavioral decisions you act like your unbelieving neighbors who dwell on negative possibilities, who have unrealistic expectations, and respond to stress with anxious pessimism. 

 

  • Do you overflow in your optimism because of your relationship with Jesus Christ or do you dwell on pessimistic thoughts caused by unbelief?

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When you choose faith over fear because of your relationship with God through Jesus Christ, you show it (1 John 5:4). A bunker is a safe place to retreat too, but your safety is contingent on your length of stay. Stay just long enough to regain your confidence, recapture your peace and plot out an attack strategy. When you keep your mind focused on the things of God and trust Him, your confidence leads you to take action. Christian disciples are those whose walk matches their talk (1 Peter 1:13, Isaiah 26:3). They cling to Christ in all circumstances (Psalm 119:1, 26:1, Hebrews 6:18-19). The writer of Psalm 119, in verse 165, says, “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble”. When you find yourself in a position to worry, choose to fall into a bunker on the battlefield. Choose to spend your time there clinging to God rather than falling into secular thinking so you can experience peace in an uncertain world (Psalm 37:3, Isaiah 41:10, Exodus 33:14, Psalm 91:1-2, Deuteronomy 13:4).

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The Christian faith can overcome worry when faith is applied as directed (John 14:15, 1 John 5:4). Do this as many times a day as necessary until your thoughts and actions are in obedience to Christ, while remembering that nothing is impossible for you, in Christ (1 Kings 8:61, Proverbs 3:1-6, Mark 9:23, John 15:8-14, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, Philippians 4:13, 4:19, 1 Thessalonians 5:7-8, 5:19, 1 John 3:24). 

PRESCRIPTION FOR AN ANXIOUS CHRISTIAN; LOVE

Do this as many times a day as necessary until your thoughts and actions are in obedience to Christ, while remembering that nothing is impossible for you, in Christ.

1 Kings 8:61, Proverbs 3:1-6, Mark 9:23, John 15:8-14, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, Philippians 4:13, 4:19,

1 Thessalonians 5:7-8, 5:19, 1 John 3:24

Listen to “Good, Good Father” @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlsQrycKKsY . 

1.    Pray God’s Word without ceasing and act accordingly, not letting the opinions of others affect your character integrity to God, proving your position as a Child of God to the unbelievers in this word. 

Psalm 118:8, John 16:33, Colossians 2:6, 4:2, Titus 2:11-14, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 1 Peter 1:16-17, Acts 5:29.

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2.   Say no to and flee from temptation and run to a "bunker" or a trusted and true Christian friend who shinE  s  their Christian Spirit in body and soul.  

2 Timothy 2:22, Romans 13:14, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Proverbs 12:26, 13:20, 1 Corinthians 15:33, Galatians 6:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 3 John 2-4

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3.   Be appreciative and forgiving as you wait patiently, using faith and self-control, with joyful anticipation for  God's Word to materialize in your life.     

 Psalm 27:14, 62:8, Luke 18:1, John 14:1, Isaiah 40:31, 1 Corinthians 13:5 

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NOTE: Stay focused on God! Joshua 1:8, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, Philippians 1:19-21, 4:6-8, 1 Timothy 4:15-16, 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Psalm 34

CAUTION: Apply liberally and to every circumstance!  (2 Corinthians 3:23, 1 John 2:6).

WARNING: Control your thinking (Romans 12:2)!​

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Listen to “Christ to Be Magnified” @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfSxd58263g .

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While you and many other Christians have been given this prescription for anxiety before, you may have become  wearied and disheartened in the midst of an uncertain, self-indulgent world, where anything can and does happen. When your thoughts are attacked by the enemy, it feels a lot like finding a hornet’s nest when you are cleaning the garage. You may be surprised by a flood of upsetting thoughts, but nothing surprises God. When you start using your imagination to play out negative “what if” scenario’s, get your mind off yourself and play offense (Ephesians 6:12-18). Avoid the blame game, fight feelings of fear, guilt, shame, worry, or self-pity by switching your thinking to what is possible with God (Jeremiah 32:27). Don’t get stuck in a defensive position (2 Corinthians 6:7). Unbelief, disobedience, and prolonged fear are at the root of anxiety leaving a Christian confused and depressed. Don’t let unbiblical thoughts and feelings stifle your faith. Take the prescription for anxiety as directed and move out of your bunker.                                              

  • As a Christian, you are equipped for the battle to fight for peace, but do you fully engage?

    • Do you trust in yourself and so live out life defensively?

    • Or do you act proactively show your confidence in God by launching an offensive attack (Ephesians 6:12-20)?

Recognize Holes in Your Faith

Instead of believing all of the Bible, unbelief causes Christians to step into fear revealing the holes in their faith. When you either think or act in a way that shows that you doubt a Biblical principle, you carry an uncertain hope (Mark 9:24, Hebrews 3:12-14). Unbelief suppresses Christlike action because of an inability to believe God will apply His Word to overcome your specific situation (1 John 4:16, Ephesians 3:17-19, Hebrews 3:12, 4:11). The Apostle James calls this being “double-minded” with the effect of being “unstable” (James 1:6-8). This double-minded thinking eats away at your beliefs causing you stress and you become susceptible to missteps in your forthcoming actions. If these thoughts cause indecision and procrastination, anxiety results that will quench your desire for well-doing and cause grief in both you and the Holy Spirit (Galatians 6:9, Ephesians 4:29).

 

Habits, both mental and physical, produce efficient behavior but when misapplied cause cognitive dissonance (psychological stress) and can result in inappropriate behavior. Anxiety is not from God-it is a human tendency-one which may have been a strong secular habit for you before you learned to trust God (2 Corinthians 7:1, 1 Timothy 4:7, Titus 2:12, James 1:22). Once you accepted the invitation to join the family of God, a choice remains to either continue with worldly habits or to use your faith to fight to change them  (1 Corinthians 10:23).

 

When you fail to see God at work in your daily circumstances, stress can develop into anxiety. This is a sign signaling your view of God is too small or your view of yourself is too big (Isaiah 61:3). You become vulnerable when you walk in your own might and sight. When insecurity strikes and is not restrained by your love of and your trust in your status as a child of God, you walk defensively and fearfully (Psalm 34:4-5, Romans 8:15-17, 8:28, 2 Corinthians 5:7). 

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To love with insecurity and unbelief in your heart causes doubt which leads to either inaction or pleasure seeking. All the gospels record Jesus as explaining the different choices people can make upon hearing the gospel and the results of each choice (Matthew 13:3-23, Mark 4:2-20, Luke 8:4-15, John 15:8-10). The “seed” represents the Triune God; God, the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The soil represents the heart of men. The seed that fell on “good” soil represents a group of people that prove they are children of God because of their ability to let love motivate their work to produce a “crop”, or as the Apostle John puts it, “fruit”. Only one group out of four produced a crop, “a harvest of righteousness”, because this group of people allowed love to penetrate their heart and showed it by following God’s commands (Ezekiel 36:26, Hosea 10:12, 2 Corinthians 9:10). The person who decides to depend upon Christ to be the Lord of their life produced a harvest, “some 30, 60, or 100%” because of the decision to put God first which inspires faith-filled actions.

 

Your confidence in faith allows you to follow the leading of the Spirit of Love in all you do which motivates your optimism (Luke 6:46, Romans 13:8, 1 Corinthians 16:14, Ephesians 4:1-4, 1 John 3:18, 4:7-9). God blesses those who show Him honor by trusting Him enough to act in love because of their faith (Luke 11:28, Psalm 2:11, Philippians 2:12-13). To God, it is not the amount of the crop produced that matters (30, 60, or 100%), it’s your willingness to trust in His character (Matthew 25:14-26). It’s a matter of the heart to want to change and a matter of the will to decide to align your behavior with the character integrity of a child of God (Psalm 15, Jeremiah 24:7, Romans 2:29).

Treat Holes in Your Faith with Trust in God

God’s will for you is to love Him by trusting Him to do as He says He will do, and for you to love others because of your desire to please Him (Romans 8:28, Ephesians 1:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:8, 1 Peter 2:15-17, 1 John 4:16). In 2 Peter 1:5-8, the Apostle Peter explains that as a Christian, you need to add to your faith. He says if you choose not to add to faith moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, patience, and love than you will be unproductive and frustrated with your faith, reinforcing your “unbelief". Adding these things to your faith will fill the holes of unbelief that resides in your faith. However, if you decide not to add to your faith than you will become unproductive and frustrated in your knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:3-4, 1:8-9, Romans 8:25).

 

To freely express the Holy Spirit of Love, you need to trust God in all circumstances and trust your decision to intentionally focus on the truth of God’s Word rather than allow the things of this sin-filled world cause you to lose sight of the goodness, mercy and grace of God. Doing this can be easy when the world around you is manageable, but when fear and worry spiral out of control, love and trust can get buried, unless you remain intentional. Choose to run to God in prayer when you are weary (Romans 8:26). It may not be what you feel like doing because when stress attacks, it is takes both a physical and mental effort. Payer is the first step in focusing your mind back on God.

When you deliberately choose to take God’s prescription for anxiety relief, you can seize those feelings of doubt and/or unbelief by comparing them to the Word of God, thereby restraining fear with faith. Making this choice consistently, despite how you feel, demonstrates your love and loyalty to God (Romans 12:1-3, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Colossians 1:9-11, 3:15-17, Hebrews 13:15, 1 Peter 2:9). Choosing to believe in God’s existence, supremacy, and nature is a choice (1 Corinthians 15:27-28). It’s only when your intention is followed up with actions that your choice is proven (James 2:26).

Trust Loves

Love is the language of the gospel. The Bible declares there is no fear in love, so when you love with action because of your trust in God, you can defeat worry (1 John 4:18, Matthew 6:31-33). You can't stop thoughts from popping into your head, but you can choose which ones you think about. It’s your free will decision to choose which thoughts you think about and then which one you'll pick to act on (Joshua 24:15, Mark 8:34, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Galatians 5:13, Ephesians 4:2, 5:15-20, Philippians 4:8, Matthew 22:37). Perfect love (the presence of God in you expressed) only defeats fear when you act consistently with that belief. The love of God sets you free to love, but you have to trust God more than yourself to do it (2 Corinthians 3:16-18, Galatians 5:1, 5:13, Romans 6:7).

 

Becoming vulnerable and trusting God is the first sign that you have been “saved by grace” (Ephesians 2:8). As with all trustworthy relationships, intimacy develops as you learn and prove a person’s faithfulness. When trust is proven, a love relationship can develop, and this becomes a cycle. When you make a conscious decision to respond to God’s love with love, you will freely chose to follow His commands (John 15:14).

 

The voice of God whispers to us, so that, in a humbled state, you can hear God’s invitation to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8, 27:13). Tasting and seeing is a lot like meeting and getting to know someone. At first, you may be cautious. Building a new relationship may feel risky. But when God proves himself trustworthy, a feeling of gratitude arises that generates a continuance of that relationship (Matthew 14:29, 25:14-29). When you trust in God (a decision that requires time), fear can be replaced with security even when you can’t see where you are going (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12).

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It’s the process of knowing God, through Christ, that softens your heart and inspires you to train yourself to imitate His Loving character, bringing heaven to earth through your behavior (Matthew 6:9-10, 28:18-20, 1 Timothy 4:7).

Love Obeys

Your trust in God is a spiritual decision displayed physically (Galatians 2:15-16, James 2:26). When you received God into your life and because God is love, love becomes our new nature (Romans 7:4-6, Ephesians 4:23-24, John 3:3). The Apostle Paul says that Jesus Christ is our grace, and he has freed us from following detailed commands of Old Testament law because love fulfills the law (Romans 13:8-9, Galatians 6:1-4). A heart that has been changed by God shows itself through love inspired actions, rather than from a fear based, rule following approach (Galatians 5:4-6). Love has been planted in your heart and replaces your sin nature, however it’s your responsibility to tap into the Spirit’s power by knowing Christ so you can choose to imitate Holy, Righteous behaviors (John 14:6, Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 4:22-24,1 John 3:1). Faith inspired, righteous action proves what you believe and pleases the Lord (Ephesians 5:10, Philippians 1:9-11). You need to want to stop sinning, a decision (which is unseen) implemented (which is seen) by denying yourself of bad habits (Matthew 16:24). “Light shines in darkness” and so your display of Holy love shinE s God in a sin-filled world (John 8:12, 1:4-5, 2 Corinthians 4:6-8, Colossians 1:12-14). Christians who learn to trust God, love God and prove it by their actions.

 

​The Biblical command “take heart” (given consistently throughout the Old and New Testament alike) doesn't mean to evaluate thoughts through the lens of self first, but of God first (Matthew 11:6, 6:33). This phrase interpreted with a Christian mindset, signals you to use both your mind and body to take courageous, faith-filled action in response to a psychological or physical threat (Matthew 9:22, John 16:33). “Take heart” is synonymous with another phrase that is repeated throughout the bible- “remember God”. When an unwelcome, anxious thought tries to grab hold of your mind, take a deep breath and turn your attention to God. When you remember God and take heart you are acting in love which prompts obedience to Him and establishes the peace of Christian cognitive consistency.

 

When you first learned of God, “fear” may have been the motive for obedience (Hebrews 12:28). Once your respect for God has proven trustworthy, your relationship deepens so with time love develops and obedience becomes the action of your trust in that relationship. Obedience becomes the output of a loving relationship, not the reason for the relationship (Hosea 6:6). Jesus told us that love motivates obedience to His commands (John 14:15, 15:15, 1 John 2:3, 5:2-3, James 1:22-25). As an example, Jesus explained that by carrying out the two greatest commandments, you would be able to uphold all the others because love “does no harm” (Romans 13:10, James 3:13, Titus 3:8).

This response is challenged by your human instincts when you are stressed. The human tendency to want to control your own outcomes tempts you to react using your own logic instead of sticking to God’s. When you fight these instincts by “bringing every thought captive to the Word of God”, you will be able to intentionally direct your behavior to obey your faith (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). Doing this not only restrains anxiety, but it makes it easier to follow the command to show love - even to your enemies (Matthew 5:43-44, Colossians 3:17, 1 Peter 2:12).

 

Showing honor to God not only means expressing holy behavior but it’s choosing holy emotions to go along with those behaviors so you remain focused (2 Corinthians 4:18). When you are worried about the future, you can refocus your thoughts to concentrate on God and the power available to you to overcome unproductive feelings. For example, when you are mad or hurt about a situation, you can choose to forgive rather than get stuck in resentment (Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:12-17). By receiving God’s love for yourself, by trusting God's sovereignty more than your own thoughts and by living out His righteous character through your actions, you will be able to shake off disappointments, offenses, and negative thinking so you can act consistently with your spiritual reality, achieving peace with God and man (Proverbs 3:4, Isaiah 32:17-18, Romans 14:17-18). This perception shifts lets you see the value of love which brings purpose and boundaries to your life (Romans 5:1-5). Doing this shows you are child of the light of Love (Ephesians 5:8).

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Love Works Because Faith Works (1 Corinthians 16:14, Titus 3:8, 1 John 3:18). 

The Apostle Paul says, as a Christian, you are saved by faith that comes from the heart the moment when believe in God’s Son, Jesus. Then he goes on to say that saving faith is never alone because once you believe, your changed heart can reveal itself through loving works (Romans 12:2, Galatians 2:15-16, Ephesians 2:8-10). The decision to trust God and accept His grace causes the fruit of Christianity to come out in you - when you allow love to direct your emotions and behavior (Matthew 3:8, 7:16, John 15:5, 1 John 3:10, 1 Timothy 4:7). Because the Christian God is a Holy God who operates on standards of love and justice expressed in righteous conduct, you can make the choice to use the power of the Holy Spirit to imitate Him and realize His peace in turbulent times (James 3:18, 1 Peter 1:13-17, Matthew 14:29-31). Obedience to God’s commands is a faith that works because of love; your trust and respect for who God is (Psalm 119:34, Romans 3:31,11:6, Ephesians 2:5). This is when faith works.

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Understanding God is first visible in your Attitude. You can choose to react in fear and insecurity (a psychological decision) to the uncertainty of life events and express that insecurity through anger or depression or you can choose to respond to the insecurity by remaining grounded in the love of God, both a physical and psychological response. Transferring trust to someone (other than yourself) is a decision and a learned behavior. It takes time to know who you can trust. When your trust is proven, it shapes your Attitude. Proven trust becomes the bedrock of a loving relationship and is visible first in your attitude. Once you realize God's love for you, your motivation changes. It's no longer about you wanting to please yourself, but rather because you trust Him, you love Him and want to express that love so you can please Him (Philippians 3:9-13). That's when you take time to train your body and soul to show actions of Behavior that reveal your trust in your new, Divinely, Spirit - empowered behavior, the B and the D part of the faith equation. When you choose to express the Holy Spirit in you within a sin-filled, uncertain world, D(A + B) = C, your Consequences are consistent with the promised outcomes as recorded in the Bible (2 Peter 1:3 4, Philippians 4:9, 4:19). This is how you let love shinE   in a dark world while maintaining your peace while pleasing God (Isaiah 60:1, 61:1, Numbers 6:24, Philippians 1:9, Colossians 1:10)!

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When you ShinE  , you show the world the difference between receiving Christ as Savior and making Him Lord of your life too. Faith is spiritual, but righteousness is the physical behavior of faith that reveals Christian cognitive consistency between attitude and behavior. This perspective shift is what produces the energy to live like a believer in Jesus Christ within a sin-filled world (2 Corinthians 12:10, 4:18, 1 John 2:6, Ephesians 2:8-10). Remembering God in prayer and surrounding yourself with Christian friends when you are worried or anxious requires an intentional decision from you which will equalize your temporary psychosocial imbalance. Use God's grace; take it to heart and carryout your battle plan (1 John 5:4, Philippians 4:13, 19)! 

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Love Works Compassionately

To believe requires an attitude of your mind, but when you trust someone, you show it through action which comes from the heart (Romans 10:10). Learning to practice selfless, confident, love is a sign that you have a compassionate and responsive heart - which is proof of your new nature in Christ (Ezekiel 36:26, Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 3:10, Acts 15:8 John 3:16, Matthew 26:28). Faith works because love motivates works (2 Corinthians 5:14)! It’s gratitude and trust that energizes you to show your love relationship with God, unless you allow fear of men and self-preservation to corrupt your faith (Psalm 54:6).

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Are you tempted to act like the prophet Elijah did during the reign of King Ahab and Jezebel in 1 Kings 18:36-38, 19:1-3? He immediately forgot about the great victory God gave him when he proved God supreme to the prophets of Baal because he shifted his focus to self-protection rather than continuing to trust God in uncertain times. When Elijah received the warning that Jezebel was going to kill him, ”he ran for his life” instead of reminding himself of God’s faithfulness (1 Kings 19:2-3). Rather than remember the power of God that flowed through him when he proved God supreme on Mount Carmel, he chose to let fear penetrate his heart by focusing on his feelings rather than the goodness and foreknowledge of God.

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When your human instincts for self-protection, self-pity, and pride kick in, you forget God which triggers your tendency to freeze which keeps you from experiencing God at work in you and sharing Him with others (Judges 3:7-11). That’s when your trust in God is put the test (James 1:2-8). Faith becomes inactive when you react to what you see or what you feel, but a knowledgeable and obedient faith keeps you moving (Proverbs 4:20-22, Romans 12:2)! Remember God in times of stress (Psalm 77:11, Psalm 143:5). Prove God and stay the course. Line up your decisions with the truth of God‘s Word and walk by faith in love with hope, not by fright and/or sight (John 17:17, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Colossians 2:6-8).

 

Take a fresh look at what the question Apostle Peter asks in 2 Peter 3:11. He asks, what type of people ought you to be? Peter lays out this answer in light of the Good News of the gospel of Jesus Christ, in 1 Peter 3:8-17. He says a Christian’s passion to eagerly express love and obedience to God and others are customary in the family of God (Psalm 119:18). Christians are to act like God’s representatives on earth and so attract others to Christ (Matthew 28:19-20, John 20:21, Acts 1:8, Ephesians 6:19-20). Acting on your faith, shows people who and what you believe. Love, not law abidance, proves your Christianity (2 Corinthians 8:24, Galatians 3:5).Take the Apostle Peter’s advice, spread the gospel to others without saying a word (1 Peter 3:1, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 26:20).

 

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Christian Faith Works By Love and Brings Peace

Fight human tendencies with actions that single-mindedly show your confidence in your new nature in Christ so rather than giving into negative thoughts that will shift your thinking to unbelief, you stand firm believing God by acting in hope through faith because of love (1 Thessalonians 1:3, Hebrews 10:23, Philippians 1:6, Colossians 3:2, Romans 5:5, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, 1 Corinthians 10:12-14, 13:4, 6-7, Psalm 147:11). The battle takes place in the mind; behavior is a natural outpouring of intentionality. Jesus told His disciples in John 6:29, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” Let your hope in Jesus Christ reaffirm your faith by acting on what you believe so you can receive the promises of God (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 2 Corinthians 7:1). 

 

Showing your belief means that you accept and act on the truth of God’s Word so you attain peace from cognitive consistency and avoid anxiety driven by prolonged cognitive dissonance. The work or the energy used to move out in faith, (motion) is demonstrated by your ability to play offensively; to run towards your enemy so to attack him before he has a chance to attack you (1 Samuel 17:48, 2 Corinthians 6:7). As Christians, we are to say, “yes” to the Holy Spirit’s leading and follow Christ’s example; pray, and then attack fear with faith by administering the prescription for anxiety relief (Proverbs 17:22, Luke 4:18-19, Isaiah 61). Trust that God is who he says He is and that he will do what He promised, so that the only doubt you have left to resolve is your own worry (Hebrews 13:8). In John 6:63, Jesus says, “…. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” to those who believe! (John 10:10). Don’t be tempted to leave the sheep pen because of unbelief (John 6:70, John 10:37-38). God will do his part, just believe (Isaiah 7:9)! Prove your belief by walking in love (Colossians 2:6, 2 Corinthians 6:6).

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If you believe that God creates and restores, then show it--remain loyal to His ways, despite turmoil (Colossians 1:23, Psalm 23:3-4). Optimistic faith knows it, shows it, and appreciates it!! God created the world; He cares for His creation; and He loves you (Psalm 36:7). Choose to trust Him to walk beside you and guide you as you experience the turbulence of living in a sin-filled world (Exodus 33:14, Psalm 139:7, 140:13). When worry starts to tempt you, take the prescription written by the Great Physician and remember to refocus your thinking from the limitations of secularism to the promises of God (Hebrews 6:11-12, Romans 8:28-32, 8:35). Your uncontaminated faith-filled thinking expressed in love and obedience to God defeats anxiety (Isaiah 1:18-19, 30:21, Philippians 4:6).

 

Deciding to practice self-control and patience while you wait on God, shows hope acting in love while waiting in faith for the fulfillment of God’s Word (1 Corinthians 14:33, 2 Timothy 2:22-26, 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4, Hebrews 6:12). This is an example of how the Apostle Paul merged Biblical principles into the worldly customs/traditions of his era so he could show other Christians how to achieve integrity to God (Romans 13:4-5, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, 10:13, Colossians 3:2). Choose to praise God in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Ephesians 6:16, Philippians 4:11).

 

Contentment is a state of mind, expressed (1 Timothy 6:6). It is an attitude from the heart that comes from thanksgiving (Psalm 86:12, 100:3-5, 1 Thessalonians 5:18). Gratitude toward God motivates your actions-your A, B, C’s!! Love comes alive in your body and you can obtain joy and peace when you express it as demonstrated by your patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control and faith because of Christ in you (Galatians 5:6, 5:22-23, Colossians 1:27). Let the contentment from knowing Christ keep you grounded in hope and let that hope motivate you to show love in action so Christ is magnified in you (Psalm 16:8, Jeremiah 9:23-24, John 17:3, 1 Corinthians 16:14, Philippians 3:10, Ephesians 3:20).

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Analogy: Free Agency Bounded by Team Selection

For another way to look at obedience to God’s Word, think about your Christianity in terms of an athlete’s free agency.

  • You are the free agent,

  • God the Father is the owner of your sports team, 

  • Jesus Christ is the trainer and head coach, and

  • the Holy Spirit is the Offensive Coach.

Team Membership; Free Agency

An athlete freely chooses to demonstrate sportsmanship throughout his/her career. A free agent is different than an athlete that is drafted. As a free agent, you have a choice regarding whose team you want to be a part of by accepting the owners offer to join the team. But once you become a member on the team, even as a free agent, you willing choose to adhere to the coaching staff’s standards and direction for continued membership on that team. How you play the game on your new team can also be influenced by your teammates and even your fan base. It’s a trustworthy coach that chooses to form a personal relationship with you that inspires your willingness to tweak your attitude and behavior so you can please the leadership team and not let the pressure from the fans or the media affect your performance.  

Loving Boundaries

When you, a player on God’s team, hits the ball or carries it out of bounds, a time out is called by the coach, and the game is stopped until the ball is put into the playing field and the players are ready to resume the game inside the boundaries again. The same is true of a Christian who stumbles on unbelief. Once the time out is over and you're ready to play inside the boundaries again, God’s plan for your life resumes. Once you’ve overcome your unbelief, you can continue to follow God’s perfect plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11, Esther 4:14, Romans 8:28, Psalm 33:11, Proverbs 3:5-6).

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Knowing God and imitating Jesus means that love is the operating principle for you and that, since there is no fear in love, anxiety is out of bounds. It is just another temptation in the world that needs to be voluntarily restricted by your decision to walk in faith (1 John 4:18).

Take One for the Team

To “take one for the team” means that each individual player makes a personal sacrifice for the benefit of the team and being on God’s team is no different (1 Peter 3:18, 4:1-2). Godly obedience, a form of self-sacrifice, is a willing adjustment to behavior (1 Peter 2:5). Paul says in Philippians 3:10, that in order to experience Christ’s resurrection power that lies in your heart, you need to be willing to act righteously, even when you don't feel like doing it. This is one way a Christian can choose to “suffer”; by being subject to the rules of God. You will need to make a decision to put to death your individual wants, so you can be trained for membership on God’s team (Colossians 3:5-17). The crucified life is a phrase that describes your free-will decision to die to your own selfish desires and secular thinking and live a life of love because of your desire to become a child of God (Galatians 5:16, 5:24, Mark 8:34, Ephesians 5:1-3). It’s only after your choice to honor God that your mind activates the Spirit of God to empower your body to act according to holy and righteous standards, showing unity with the owner, coaches and teammates (Romans 8:2-5, 8:12-14, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Galatians 5:16, Ephesians 4:22-24).

 

Whether God’s team is playing under pressure or not, you and the other players on God’s team will carry out the offensive coordinator's strategy to win the game. It’s your willingness to honor God by listening to and imitating the coaching staff that leads to your changed behavior. The habit of righteousness is what proves your loyalty to God’s team. In a well-functioning team, the individual team members resemble their coach and are united in their mission (Psalm 133:1, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Galatians 3:27-28, Ephesians 4:1-3, Philippians 2:1-3). Joining God’s team, increases your confidence which makes you a better player (Galatians 3:26-29).

The “Underdog”; God’s team

With faith as their motive and source of power, Christians choose to willingly act counter-culturally (1 John 2:15-17, John 2:16-17, Acts 5:29, 1 Corinthians 1:27, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Galatians 1:10, Hebrews 13:1). In today’s secular world, Christians make the intentional choice to trust God and so choose to live righteously in an unrighteous world with great confidence and persistence despite the world's current trends (Matthew 6:33, Galatians 6:9). Even when you aren’t in the mood or when you’re not motivated because it seems like you might be on a losing team, you play following the prescription God gives to you so love and good deeds shinE   in a dark, sin-filled world (Isaiah 60:1-3, 1 Peter 2:17).

 

In Matthew 5:1-10 and Luke 6:17-26, Jesus describes some characteristics of what a believer might feel like in an unbelieving world, as predicted in the Old Testament in Joel 2:13;

         “The Lord says, turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and                   mourning. 13 Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God,             for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love….”

 

Christians Choose to Play Inside the Boundaries of Love

Once you've already made the initial decision to accept the invitation to join His team, each child of God adheres to the commands of God by deciding to use the grace of God to influence their behavior, as described in Titus 2:11-14;

     11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness          and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed            hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He                might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

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This is how Christian love works. The security you feel from the relationships you form with the coaching staff, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and with your teammates, other Christians, motivate your willingness to train your soul and body to act in the love by using the strategy of righteousness, which pleases the owner. This demonstrates that you want to play on His team. As your knowledge and trust for God increases, you gain the confidence needed to trust Him and your teammates to complete “hail Mary” plays (Romans 12:1-3, 15:2, 1 Peter 1:22).

 

Both the passer and the receiver have to live with multiple seconds of uncertainty when implementing the hail Mary play. Each needs to anticipate the execution of the play, throwing the ball and receiving the ball in the designated spot, until the ball is caught and the receiver can rush towards the goal. In practice, you learn the plays, in the huddle you plan your attack, and in the moment of action you are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit to complete the play. Doing this repeatedly wins games!

 

Trusting God, learning the playbook and playing inside the boundaries is your part in the transformation to Christlikeness; it is how you make a God, a Spiritual Being, visible in you (Colossians 1:15-23). This is what makes you able to be confident, bold and proactive in showing your faith as you play the game of life. Winning in an unbelieving world requires a commitment to the decision to implement the playbook despite opposition. It requires your willingness to be flexible in applying God’s principle of love no matter the opponent (1 Corinthians 9:19-21). A diverse group of people coming together in unity surrounding a common principle of sacrificial love and loyalty to God requires teamwork to finish the game strong.

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Marketing Your Team

Love, a strong offensive game, is your teams’ trademark. The Apostle Paul teaches us in 1 Corinthians 9:19-21 that, as an evangelist on God's team, he tries to find a common denominator so he can bring a diverse group of people together to rally around a common theme. Paul exemplified his recruiting style when he spoke to the people in Athens in Acts 17:22-31. Paul identified that the Grecians had a different perspective towards love because they were unaware of Truth and its origin. While the people did look to gods to help them, they were driven by self-preservation and societal traditions so instant, and self-gratification were their operating principles and there was no final authority in their lives to counter this strategy. That was the weakness in strategy that the Apostle Paul used to build his attack strategy around so He could penetrate and win the battlefield to move the enemy away from their stronghold. Paul zeroed in on the fact that the Grecians had many deities and summarized their folly by alerting them to the fact that they were praying to an unknown God. This got their attention so that He could then move into a Christian gospel presentation from a respected position, rather than one driven by a cavalier attitude that might spark debate. The Apostle Paul was able to present his case for God through Christ, so the listeners could hear the message clearly and then they could decide for themselves whether they would accept it or reject it.

 

The word “pivot” can be used to describe this shift in communication strategy. Your mission is to present the gospel (in full without altering it) by way of choosing a communication/personality style that doesn’t offend a person even before you are able to tell them the good news. A pivot is a way into the basket or end zone to be able to play offense in a way that you score points, no matter who you are talking too. Paul said that he is all things to all people so he could win them to Christ (1 Corinthians 10:33). Paul’s mission was clear, it wasn’t to please others or himself first. It was to win their loyalty to Jesus Christ. Christian disciples remember to “flex” their personality style, not the message of Christ’s cross. (For more on allowing the Spirit of Love influence your personality styles, read the following appendices 2J, 2L, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, and 2F). In a well-functioning team, the individual team members resemble their coach and are united in their mission (Colossians 3:14-15, 1 Corinthians 12:13, 10:17, 10:23-24, Galatians 3:27-28, Ephesians 4:1-3, Philippians 2:1-3).

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God is Love and God’s Love is Electric

The familiar scripture in 1 John 4:19 describes the motivation to practice this self-sacrificing love; “We love because He (God) first loved us” (Luke 9:23, 14:27). God’s actions proved His love for humanity and created a way for all men to be brought back into a saving relationship with Him (1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9). Those who continue in Him, choose to imitate this type of self-sacrificing love proving their decision to love God (John 13:35, Romans 12:1-3, 9-21). Faith inspires works. It reveals your confidence in the truth that God loves you.

The owner of the team chose each player for inclusion on His team (1 Corinthians 12:18). Accepting (receiving) God’s love for you, changes your behavior (Romans 6:15-16, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15). When you choose to accept God’s offer to join His team, you freely agree to play the game by His principles (Song of Solomon 2:4, Galatians 5:13-14, see Appendix 1G). Christlikeness becomes your new standard (Ephesians 4:22-24, Romans 6:1-2, 18, Galatians 5:6, Philippians 3:17, 3:20). Christlike behavior doesn’t mean that you follow the letter of the law, but the Spirit of love (Romans 7:6). Love allows you to “be still” and trust the coach (Psalm 46:1, 10, Isaiah 32:17, Ephesians 3:12, Hebrews 4:16, 10:35-36). Whether God’s team is playing under pressure or not, players on God’s team will follow the proven strategies of Jesus Christ. Players on God's team share the credit for the victory with each other, the coaching staff and the team's owner which reveals their dependence on God and each other. 

 

Children of God trade independence and competition for love and cooperation in honor of the teams’ leader (Luke 6:40, Philippians 2:1-3, 1 Timothy 4:6, 2 Timothy 2:22, Hebrews 5:14, 12:11). This trade-off reveals your willingness to look like love by abiding by the rules of the game and by carrying out the strategies of the coaching staff (Psalm 112:7, Philippians 2:1-4, John 17:17).  In a well-functioning team, the individual team members resemble their coaches and are united in their mission (1 Corinthians 10:17, 12:4-7, Psalm 133:1, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Galatians 3:27-28, Ephesians 4:1-3, Philippians 2:1-3).

 

A decision to stop worrying is based on your decision to honor God by humbly expressing your new nature in Christ without hinderance (Romans 6:11, Ephesians 4:22-24, Ephesians 3:16, 3:19-20, 5:1-2, Philippians 3:20, Colossians 3:17). It's a relationship with Christ that proves faith.

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