ANXIETY

Finding Comfort and Reassurance from God

8 STUDIES FOR INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS

Skip Mcdonald

An imprint of InterVarsity Press

Downers Grove, Illinois

InterVarsity Press

P.O. Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426

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©2020 by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA

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While any stories in this book are true, some names and identifying information may have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.

Cover design: Cindy Kiple

Cover image: balancing stones: © BlackJack3D / iStock / Getty Images Plus

ISBN 978-0-8308-3124-1 (print)

ISBN 978-0-8308-4798-3 (digital)

CONTENTS

Getting the Most Out of Anxiety

1 Why Are You Anxious?

MATTHEW 6:25–34

2 Comfort in Times of Fear

MATTHEW 14:22–36

3 Prayer

PHILIPPIANS 4:4–9

4 Forgiveness

PSALM 103:1–14

5 Refocused

PSALM 73

6 Rest

MATTHEW 11:25–30

7 Strength

ISAIAH 40

8 Refreshment

PSALM 23

Leader’s Notes

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF ANXIETY

Shallow breathing, or even a feeling that you can’t breathe. An inability to focus. Constant negative thoughts. Anxiety is that vague feeling that something isn’t right, that something bad may happen, and can easily become an all-consuming part of life. We have all felt worried at one time or another, but anxiety becomes especially problematic when it persists and even increases. At that point, a person may be suffering from an anxiety disorder.

With a background as a mental health nurse, and having experienced my own anxiety, I felt compelled to write this guide. My hope is that we all can find and apply words of encouragement from Scripture to combat anxiety. My anxiety mostly centers on money and relationships. Way too many times, I’ve felt anxious about trying to make others feel better, sometimes to my detriment. At other times I have wrestled when injustice flourishes, and even experienced those unwarranted anxious feelings that God will not come through in times of emergencies.

Usually, when I am having these moments of anxiety, I quiet myself. I need to be alone so I can ...