Dealing With Anxiety - Part 2 of 7

Dealing With Anxiety
Written By Bryan Hurlbutt
Dealing with Anxiety

Assessing Anxious Thoughts

As we continue our journey in addressing anxiety and managing anxious thoughts, we have already explored two strategies: dismissing certain thoughts and casting our cares onto the Lord. Today, we will delve into a third strategy, focusing on filling our minds with positive and constructive thoughts. This involves being intentional about what we allow into our mental space, both proactively and reactively, and assessing the root causes of our anxiety to address them effectively.

Key Insights from this Week’s Video:

  • Filling Your Mind: Once you've dismissed or cast away anxious thoughts, it's essential to fill that mental space with positive and constructive content. Be mindful of what you regularly consume, as it sets the agenda for your idle thoughts. Scripture memorization can be a powerful tool to have uplifting and reassuring truths readily available.

  • Assessing the Root Causes: While immediate assessment of anxious thoughts might not always be possible, it's crucial to revisit these thoughts later to understand their origins. This can prevent them from cycling repeatedly in your mind. Approach this assessment with a mindset of discerning truth from falsehood and applying God's truths to your fears.

  • Speaking Truth to Fear: When assessing your fears, consider the reality of God's grace and sovereignty. Reflect on whether God's grace would be sufficient if your fears were realized, and remind yourself of His abiding presence and care. This rational and theological approach helps mitigate fear by aligning it with the truth of God's promises.

  • When I thought, “My foot slips,”
    your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.
    When the cares of my heart are many, 
    your consolations cheer my soul.

  • Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

  • But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Thought for the Week - Dealing with Anxiety Part 2 of 7
Pastor Bryan Hurlbutt's devotional series on anxiety.

Reflective Questions:

  1. How can you proactively fill your mind with positive and constructive thoughts throughout your day?

  2. What steps can you take to assess the root causes of your anxiety without becoming overwhelmed?

  3. In what ways can you practice speaking truth to your fears, using Scripture and prayer to reinforce your faith?

Additional Resources

Bryan Hurlbutt

After years of preparation and seeking the Lord’s direction, Bryan moved to Utah in 2004 for the sole purpose of founding Lifeline Community. Born and raised in upstate New York, Bryan received his bachelor’s degree in religious education from Davis College in Johnson City, New York, and his master’s degree in theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. His doctorate of ministry from Talbot School of Theology focused on how worldview, philosophy, and culture relate to the local church, which culminated in the release of his first book, Tasty Jesus: Liberating Christ from the Power of our Predilections, published by Wipf and Stock. A true scholar and pastor at heart, Bryan longs to merge the life of the mind with life in the Spirit. His primary passion in ministry is discipleship, as evidenced by the various ministries at Lifeline, with the intended result that Lifeline be the kind of church that no one ever outgrows. Bryan is married to Jennifer and they have three daughters. He is an avid runner, a devout Syracuse Orange fan, and his favorite hobby is discussing world views and theology at ANY time in ANY place.

Previous

Dealing With Anxiety - Part 3 of 7
Next

Dealing With Anxiety - Part 1 of 7