Dealing With Anxiety - Part 6 of 7

Dealing With Anxiety
Written By Bryan Hurlbutt
Dealing with Anxiety

Cultivating Gratitude to Combat Anxiety

As we continue our exploration of anxiety, let's consider a powerful yet often overlooked tool: gratitude. While it's natural to focus on eliminating anxiety, this approach might not always lead to lasting peace. Instead, by cultivating gratitude, we can shift our focus from the self to the blessings around us, allowing peace to follow naturally.

Key Insights from this Week’s Video:

  • The Role of Gratitude: Anxiety often centers on the self, creating a cycle of self-focus and tension. Gratitude, on the other hand, turns our attention outward, helping us recognize and appreciate the gifts and blessings in our lives. This shift in perspective can help distill anxiety and bring peace.

  • The Biblical Perspective: Philippians 4 highlights the importance of thanksgiving in prayer, noting that peace follows gratitude. Similarly, Colossians 3:15 connects gratitude with the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts. By focusing on gratitude, we create space for peace to enter our lives.

  • Practical Application: Cultivate gratitude by regularly reflecting on the blessings in your life. Consider keeping a gratitude journal or making a daily habit of thanking God for specific gifts. This practice can help rewire your brain, as studies have shown, and provide a powerful weapon against anxiety.

  • Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

  • And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Thought for the Week - Dealing with Anxiety Part 6 of 7
Pastor Bryan Hurlbutt's devotional series on anxiety.

Reflective Questions:

  1. How can you incorporate gratitude into your daily routine, and what specific blessings can you focus on?

  2. In what ways might a shift from self-focus to gratitude impact your experience of anxiety?

  3. How can gratitude help you see challenges as opportunities and transform your perspective on life's difficulties?

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.

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