Steve: I am new to this board but have received your messages for a couple of years and really appreciate your ministry.

My question concerns anxiety of a general nature that I have had for as long as I can remember. I am not anxious about any particular event, but just generally have an anxious feeling about me. My doctor has prescribed medication to control the anxiety which really helps. However, I struggle with taking medication for this as I know that God can heal me. But on the other hand, when I confront my doctor about this, he rightly askss me if I were a diabetic would I feel the same way about taking insulin....And I would not. My doctor says that my general anxiety is hereditary (my mother, sister and Aunt also have struggled with this) but I still cannot get over my reluctance to take medication for this since it seems to me that taking medicine for anything mental would be akin to not trusting God for healing.

Do you have any advice or insight into this struggle.

Thanks

John - First let me say that I am not a doctor. My opinions and advice come from my heart and what I believe the Word of God says - but ultimately you will need to take this to God and ask Him what you should do. Then you will need to trust Him with whatever answer He provides.

I strongly believe there are far too many drugs prescribed for the wide array of mental issues. Drugs may, at times, have their place; but they are given too quickly and without a plan for getting off the medication. Most of the drugs are somewhat addictive - even though they may not be listed as officially addictive they are very hard to stop taking.

Most all anxiety issues can be solved by giving your life more fully to God. This means a combination of spending more quiet time in prayer and study as well as applying what God reveals to you in the way of trust and a strengthening of your faith.

I strongly suggest that you take a look at your schedule and priorities. Make sure you are spending good quality time with God and begin to commit some good Bible verses to memory - or at least write them on a card that you can carry with you. God's Word is very powerful and can definitely provide comfort to your Spiritual as well as your physical being. If you want some help with verses, just ask and I'm sure the people on this board will give you LOTS of good suggestions!

1 John 4:18
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

I hope this helps - but remember to take this to God and trust Him with all your heart!

Here is some good verses to meditate on
Psalm 23:1 I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and staff comfort me.
Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 34:7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear the Lord, and delivers them.
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God.

Read the whole Psalm 23, 91,34,37. These are just suggestions.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Try dwelling on things of God more and less of the negative things. Speak positive words and no negative ones. The more you spend time with God, the more peace will come and stay. If you are not born again, I urge you to read the Gospel of John and accept the Lord of Peace.

http://www.gdwm.org/salvation.htm

John,

There has also been a genetic tendency in my family to have mild anxiety. I have seen it in others far worse, almost to the point of being debilitating. In some situations I think medication would be helpful, but I do not believe medication is the ultimate answer. If your problem is because of a bi-polar mental problem, it would be far more important to take medication. If not, I would be more inclined to think of it as spiritual. Whatever the reason for it, I know that God can heal, because He healed me.

It was by someone praying for me that God healed me. The prayer was not even specifically for anxiety, but God always knows our deepest needs! In fact every time God has healed me and touched me in a very special way it was by His own design! Scripture such as Isaiah 26:3 takes on deeper meaning when it speaks directly to our own personal need. I believe the best thing for you is to find every way you can to keep your mind stayed on Him because His Word is true.

You will be in my prayers. I pray the Holy Spirit will fill you with peace and you will experience His marvelous healing power!

God bless you,

Chelki

Psalm 3:3 "But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head."

John,

I have struggled with anxiety for over 10 years. My family has a history of depression. The Lord healed me from major panic attacks. I started with medication and Psychiatrist Etc.. My problem occured while I was living in fear for 15 years of Drug dealing and drug use. I was causing my anxiety. After giving my Life over to the Lord God gave me a sound mind and peaceful heart. Sometimes the anxiety comes back but I know I can go to my father for help.

The good news is that you can overcome depression. God has provided us with resources in both in the natural and spiritual realms to defeat depression and anxiety.

Reducing Stress

You can take the following steps immediately to reduce stress:

Fix your attention On Jesus and not your problems.

Dwelling on your problems produces inner turmoil and blocks the power of Christ,The Prince of Peace, from comforting and calming you. Follow this Bible cure prescription:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witness to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seatedin the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven. Hebrews 12:1-2

Pray and Thank God for all his blessings.

When stressed, we may forget all that God has done and is doing in our life. Your blessings far overweigh any temporary crisis. As we pray for our needs, also thank God for His providential care. So he tells us, don't worry about everyday life whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing? Look at the birds. They don't neet to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your Heavenly Father feeds them. And you are more valuable to him than they are." (Matt. 6:25-26).

Eliminate negative thoughts by meditating on uplifting thoughts.

Scripture reveals that you become what you think. ( See Proverbs 23:7, KJV.) Instead of dwelling on what stresses us, clean out negative thoughts with the eraser of joy- filled things as described in the Bible:" Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again --rejoice!... Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell Godwhat you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guards your hearts and minds as you live Christ Jesus. And Now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what its true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise" ( Phil. 4:4,6-8).

God is in control!!!!!

Bless you my brother!!!!

John Trevino

[This message was edited by JOHN TREVINO on May 13, 2003 at 10:19 AM.]

John,

I have responded to you in Private Topics.

John, my prayer and earnest desire is for your healing.

Chelki

Psalm 3:3 "But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head."