Fear-Proof preview

The following is an excerpt from my next book, “Fear-Proof.”  Fear-Proof should be available in print for your devotional needs by November, 2014.

Day 16

Anxiety

“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.”  ~Charles Spurgeon

Anxiety is something I’ve dealt with my entire life.  Although I may appear calm and focused on the outside, inside of me is a fire that is always burning.

Years ago, the devil convinced me (as he has convinced countless others) that wealth and success were cures to anxiety.  I found out pretty quickly this type of lifestyle only added to my anxiety woes and soon found myself leaning on alcohol and drugs to take the edge off.  Eventually my anxiety was gone along with most everything I had “gained” and the fire inside of me was all but extinguished.  I had followed the devil’s plan to a T.  His goal is to defeat us.

Today my anxiety no longer drives me because I’ve chosen to drive it and many years ago I came up with a simple formula that helps me remain at peace, in most situations; my P.E.A.C.E. acronym:

P – (Plan) Great strength is realized when we define our dream and design a plan to bring it to life.

E – (Effort) Commitment to putting forth productive effort will breathe energy into our dream.

A – (Attitude) Choosing an effective attitude in all situations will take our dream to higher levels.

C – (Community) We are built for community.  Our dream expands as our team expands.

E – (Energy) Living the dream requires optimal levels of mental, physical and spiritual energy.

The key to making all of this happen is the willingness to turn these five areas over to God first thing in the morning…and you will be assured of having a pretty good shot at having a P.E.A.C.E.ful day.

…I definitely write from experience on this topic.

Philippians 3:6-7 (NIV), “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Additional Scripture to read and reflect upon:  Psalm 23:4, Isaiah 40:31

What beliefs, thoughts and actions cause you to struggle with anxiety?

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