Questions I ask myself when I start feeling fear or thinking anxious thoughts…

In no way do I hold myself out to be an expert in this area, but I wanted to share a few practices that have helped me when I start feeling fear or thinking anxious thoughts.

Here are some questions I ask myself:

1. What have I been watching, reading or listening to? What are my inputs?

(The news, nonstop social media, pornography, violent shows, over-sexualized shows, true crime podcasts, etc). Your emotions often act as alarms to alert you that you need to change your inputs.

2. Am I reading more news than Scripture?

3. Am I neglecting my prayer life? Have I prayed about the things worrying me?

4. Have I stopped for at least 30 minutes today to sit in stillness in the presence of God?

5. Am I scrolling more than I’m worshipping?

6. Do I have lingering sin that I’m hiding from God? Where do I need to come clean?

Philippians 4:6-8

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

2 Corinthians 10:5

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Psalm 32:3-5

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.