On Anxiety

Clay Smith

The Anxiety Opportunity

Philippians 4:6-7

Anxiety reveals itself in various ways. Fight or flight. Comes with a cost. A fear of future loss. Something we worry about over and over. What if…this bad thing happens. We’re scared of losing something.

Fill in the blank: a burden I am carrying right now is __________.

1. The Problem v 6 the choice: anxiety is an obstacle or an opportunity. We fear we can’t overcome a certain obstacle. People give advice that doesn’t help…don’t worry.

The key to Phil 4 is chapter 3…forgetting what lies behind, pressing on to what lies ahead. Doesn’t free us from sin.

Can you reframe your struggle…make your Anxiety is a daily opportunity for spiritual growth.

2. The Promise: v 7 peace only comes from Jesus . Surpasses our comprehension and our own power. Non Christians can’t experience the peace of God. The goal isn’t to live an anxiety free life. Jesus experienced anxiety.

3. The Process…three anchoring practices…

a. Pray with surrender, not avoidance. Not “don’t let…” Not my will, but your will be done. Prosperity gospel addresses avoiding the things people fear. Instead surrender.

b. Get present Matt 6 don’t worry about what you wear…tomorrow will take care of itself. Recite the 23rd Paalm.

c. Embrace community. Paul addressed groups of people, bearing one another’s burdens. Don’t keep to yourself at church, but gather together.

Let your requests be made known to God.

I Peter 5:7 throw your anxieties onto the Lord. He cares more for us than we care for him.

Psalm 13 how long will you forgive me God?

How do we move forward? For starters, there is a connection between the physical and the spiritual. Eat right, get enough sleep, etc.

Clay gleaned a chunk of his content from Curtis Chang’s book The Anxiety Opportunity.

Michael “The Blind Side” Oher is forgetting several convenient truths about his past. Most outlets reporting his story aren’t digging to determine what the real facts are, only telling his side of the story.

Of course, DENISON had a wiser take on the Oher story: both sides are making substantially different claims. The movie’s acceptance meant that few stopped to question which parts may have strayed from the truth. And therein lies the problem. We are inundated with so much information these days it can be difficult or impossible to sort through to discern what’s true from what’s false. We can’t ignore the truth when it’s made known just because we would prefer to believe the lie.

Tuesday: ate a burrito bowl at Willys. Ceil was sick. Finally she figured out what she wanted for supper, so I went back to Trader Joes for an 81 cent russet potato, plus medicine from the CVS next door. After the Braves I watched episode 2 of season 3 of Only Murders in the Building. Ceil even watched.

Thursday I left work before 5:30. C still recovering and still grumpy. She made grits. I ate leftover meatballs.

Up early Friday to lift weights. We are puppy-sitting Goose this weekend. A&C headed out on a short beach trip.

Up early Saturday to play golf.

Played with the vet, the professor, and young course marshal Solomon.

With a newcomer in the foursome, I hacked it around the first three holes.

I did roll a couple of long lag putts within inches.

Solomon even parred the impossibly sloped temporary 4th green (below). I'd hit an okay 7 iron off the tee, made a passable chip, giving me a putt for par. I missed. With Paul playing a yellow ball and Solomon and me playing white, GT was playing pink and blue balls (below).

I did hit a good 6 iron off the tee on five. As did Solomon.