Personal: Fear and Anxiety

I have an ongoing struggle with fear and anxiety in my life. I'd appreciate it if you can offer some suggestions of resources in Logos on this subject, either from a biblical, therapeutic or devotional perspective. Currently I am rereading Max Lucado's book: Fearless, which I have been encouraged by in the past.

Thanks a lot.

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Scott E. Mahle

A couple you might consider:

Holy and Human by Earle Wilson

What are You Afraid of? By Dr. David Jeremiah

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

One idea is searching Library for resources:

anxiety,fear

Another idea is searching Bible for verses containing word pairs:

anxiety prayer

love fear

By the way, Keep Smiling 4 Jesus is a variation and reminder of Philippians 4:4

Thankful for memorizing and meditating on Philippians 4:4-8

Thankful for visual filter highlighting that shows six imperative mood verbs, including middle voice in verse 8: thinking about attributes of God affects actions and actions that glorify God affects thoughts (excellent example of middle voice reflexive effect).

Keep Smiling [:)]

Rosie Perera

Will pray for you, Bill. I have struggled with anxiety in my life too. Often unexplainable, unrelated to external events or actual worries, and not obviously related to any spiritual deficit or attack either. Just physical symptoms of anxiety that won't go away no matter what I try (relaxing music, going for a walk, hot bath, cup of calming tea, etc.)

My favorite Scripture passage related to this is: "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." (Phil 4:6,7)

However, sometimes Bible study and prayer are not sufficient to dissolve the knot in my stomach and cure the sweaty palms, the heart palpitations, the shallow breathing. In that case, do not be afraid to seek medical help. It is not a sign of weak faith. There could be some underlying health concern that it would be good to rule out, and there are medications for anxiety that can help as well, just as you might take something for depression when nothing else seems to work.

But getting back to your initial request, there are quite a number of resources on fear and anxiety in Vyrso. I'm sorry I don't know the relative merits of these, but I'd recommend you look them up on Amazon.com and look for reviews there:

https://vyrso.com/products/search?q=anxiety

The only one of those that's by an author I'm familiar with whose other book I've read and was greatly helped by is

Finding Freedom from Anxiety and Worry by William Backus (co-author of Telling Yourself the Truth)

Kent

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679694#Comment_679694

John Piper has talked about his own battles and has done many sermons on the subject. I don't know if he has a resource specifically about it but http://www.desiringgod.org/sermons/by-topic/fear-anxiety has some.

Bruce Dunning

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679701#Comment_679701

Bill, thank you for your willingness to be vulnerable and share. I think if most of us are honest deep down, and sometimes not so deep, we have fear. This past year I have devoted quite a bit of time to studying fear in the Bible, reading books about fear and speaking on it because I am facing some specific fears in my own life.

I would recommend a couple of vyrso books to read - https://vyrso.com/product/40598/the-fearless-life-live-worry-free-no-matter-what-happens

https://vyrso.com/product/31960/what-are-you-afraid-of-facing-down-your-fears-with-faith

Certainly there is lots written on this topic and these two books are not deep but rather speak to the emotional aspects of fear.

My prayer is that God would give you freedom from your fears in the days ahead as you experience trust in a new way.

Bryan S.

I have an ongoing struggle with fear and anxiety in my life. I'd appreciate it if you can offer some suggestions of resources in Logos on this subject, either from a biblical, therapeutic or devotional perspective. Currently I am rereading Max Lucado's book: Fearless, which I have been encouraged by in the past.

Thanks a lot.

Bill thanks for sharing, You are in my prayers this morning.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Have a great Sunday.

Erwin Stull, Sr.

Hi Bill;

I don't have a book recommendation, however, you are definitely in my prayers on this. Many of us have suffered with this at one point in life or another, and for some, it is ongoing and reoccurring. In my opinion, although books on this subject are good to read, it is the personal guidance, mentoring, and relationships that will ultimately get you through this (I guess I stated this correctly). Be blessed by the peace that God will give you.

Philippians chapter 4 comes to mind.

James Hiddle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679737#Comment_679737

I suffer with ROCD so I know all about the fear and anxiety. By the way thanks for the resources folks. God Bless you all always forever!

James

Rich DeRuiter

I have an ongoing struggle with fear and anxiety in my life. I'd appreciate it if you can offer some suggestions of resources in Logos on this subject, either from a biblical, therapeutic or devotional perspective. Currently I am rereading Max Lucado's book: Fearless, which I have been encouraged by in the past.

Thanks a lot.

Thank you for entrusting this group with your deep struggles. It shows confidence and trust in us, I hope we can be faithful companions to you in this journey.

(I don't have any better book suggestions than what has already been suggested.)

I would suggest reading and discussing whatever book(s) you read with a trusted friend, or confidant. There's just something about sharing struggles--especially very personal ones--that helps us move through them into greater freedom. In the garden of Eden, before there was any sin, the one thing that wasn't good was that the man was alone. We're not meant to be alone. I hope I did not even have to say that, but I know too many who suffer alone, and for whom their very aloneness makes their suffering worse.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679701#Comment_679701

John Piper has talked about his own battles and has done many sermons on the subject. I don't know if he has a resource specifically about it but http://www.desiringgod.org/sermons/by-topic/fear-anxiety has some.

Logos offers an archive of John Piper sermons => https://www.logos.com/product/43127/the-john-piper-sermon-archive

Filtering library for:

piper fear

found => https://www.logos.com/product/4070/pierced-by-the-word

Thankful for God's Peace that passes all understanding. Thankful for God's cleaning for confessed sin in 1 John 1:9 that provides awesome rejoicing.

Keep Smiling [:)]

Bill Anderson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679756#Comment_679756

Thanks to all who offered prayer and resources for me to check out.

I just reread a portion of John Donne's Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, which is part of the John Donne Works now on community pricing (Please bid!). Donne, who was sick, wrote an amazing series of devotions. In one, he notices that the doctor appears to be afraid of his condition, and this prompts Donne to reflect on the fear of God and of lesser things. He writes, "And therefore, though I pretend to no other degree of wisdom, I am abundantly rich in this, that I lie here possessed with that fear which is thy fear, both that this sickness is thy immediate correction, and not merely a natural accident, and therefore fearful, because it is a fearful thing to fall into thy hands; and that this fear preserves me from all inordinate fear, arising out of the infirmity of nature, because thy hand being upon me, thou wilt never let me fall out of thy hand."

And,

"O MOST mighty God, and merciful God, the God of all true sorrow, and true joy too, of all fear, and of all hope too, as thou hast given me a repentance, not to be repented of, so give me, O Lord, a fear, of which I may not be afraid."

Rosie Perera

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679798#Comment_679798

I have definitely bid on John Donne's Works!

There is indeed that kind of fear that we should not want to be cured of, the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom. (Prov 9:10)

But when there is panicky fear or anxiety which drives us to despair rather than toward our heavenly Father, then it's good to seek relief from it.

Deacon Steve

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679798#Comment_679798

Praying for you, Bill.

Bruce Dunning

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679798#Comment_679798

I just reread a portion of John Donne's Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, which is part of the John Donne Works now on community pricing (Please bid!).

I've placed my bid too. Now I'm even more interested in getting it.Thanks.

mab

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679824#Comment_679824

I'm rather partial to reading Ephesians along with the reminder of experience. The latter is that most of what we fear never happens.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3

Darcy S. Van Horn

I have an ongoing struggle with fear and anxiety in my life. I'd appreciate it if you can offer some suggestions of resources in Logos on this subject, either from a biblical, therapeutic or devotional perspective. Currently I am rereading Max Lucado's book: Fearless, which I have been encouraged by in the past.

Thanks a lot.

Bill, a book by Ed Welch available on Vyrso looks good (I have it but haven't read it yet); it's called "Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest". Ed Welch is one of a number of qualified counselors with the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation. Another book available in Logos is by the evangelist Ray Comfort, entitled "Overcoming Panic Attacks". Again, I haven't read it yet (except for a few pages), but Comfort writes as one who has experienced and coped with severe panic attacks, and has become a street evangelist. Perhaps one or both of these books might be helpful. Blessings!

In Him,

Darcy

Jack Caviness

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679798#Comment_679798

the John Donne Works now on community pricing (Please bid!)

Thank you for the link—have now placed my bid. Have added you to my Prayer List.

Ronald Quick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679951#Comment_679951

This isn't in Logos (although I wish it were), but I thought this book was good. It's not very long and is an easy read.

http://www.amazon.com/Prayer-that-Relieves-Stress-Worry/dp/097927754X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419859478&sr=8-1&keywords=prayer+that+relieves

Tes

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679967#Comment_679967

Yes, Prayer for a follow brother is very helpful, reading books may help as well,but the best I would suggest is to meditate on the Word of God.

mike

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679967#Comment_679967

What works for me is Prayers + Praise & Worship time.

Soaking myself in His presence, alone, with music in the background (sometimes YouTube), singing personal Psalms of worship.

Whenever I do this, 100% of the time I get the peace & the release from fear & worry.

Then I read the Word, normally Psalms.

Here some songs I play while I praise Him:

2nd is a famous Korean song, 3rd is an Indonesian worship song with English sub.

Enjoy.

ps: when the devil tries to make you think that it is all about you, tell him and point back to Jesus. It is never about you, but always about Jesus.

We will always experience worry & fear, in fact there would still be things in 2015 that we can be worried about. But, we gotta remember, the only time when we won't face any anxieties is only when we checked out from this place (when we die). So as long as you are still in this earth, you will experience these feelings. So don't expect not to experience worryness, but understand that fear not He has overcome the world.

book? this one Martyrs

Bill Anderson... be a HISTORY MAKER!

JoshInRI

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679798#Comment_679798

May the mighty healing and sustaining power of Jesus the Christ undergird, sustain and protect you in 2015, Sir.

May God be glorified and cover you like a Mighty Eagle's Wings while you stand secure in His promises for those who love and obey Him.

Amen

Bill Anderson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679984#Comment_679984

Here's a great sermon on anxiety by Tim Keller, if you have his sermon collection.

Here's a snippet: "What David is saying is, “My fears are directly proportional to the vulnerability of the things that are my greatest joys. If the thing that is my greatest joy is God, I will live without fear. If my one thing … the thing I most want … is God, I am safe.”

Alan Macgregor

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/681109#Comment_681109

Bill

I've also followed your suggestion and bid on Donne's Works. I didn't realise they were in CP, so thanks.

I have read Donne on and off for many years, since I first discovered him as an undergraduate student, when studying Logic and Metaphysics. Someone told me about Donne and his being a Metaphysical poet – and I was off and running. I find poetry helpful because it is memorable. Often our problems rear their ugly heads when we don't have the opportunity to read, even electronically. It's than that memory comes into its own – scripture verses, hymn words, poetry – can all be life-savers.

Praying for you.

Every blessing

Alan