Years ago, I struggled with anxiety. Getting control over it was never the goal. I just tried to deal with it. Some days were better or worse than others. Later, I made the connection between some thoughts I had and the anxiety that would follow. As a matter of fact, there was a day when the Holy Spirit spoke in my spirit, “Valerie, if you want to go on with me, you’ve got to deal with the anxiety.” How freeing! For the first time, I understood that I had another option. Until then, I thought it would always be part of my life.

Whether you have a memorable moment like this or not, anxiety is a hindrance. It becomes a god. It becomes an idol to worship, feed, tend to, and give your best time to, and it takes more energy than you realize. Until Jesus returns, it is a condition that dwells in most people sometime in life. Facing it and learning how to eradicate it is always a good idea.

So as I started to be obedient to God’s desire for me, a lifelong, familiar verse that I’d read so many times before became personal.

Galatians 5:22-23 says:

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Before my anxiety journey, I thought the fruit of self-control related to caring for one’s body or controlling one’s tongue.

But God showed me that I could apply it to gaining a peaceful mind.

SELF-CONTROL IN MY THOUGHTS

• I turned to God, not to any substance, food, or person.

At first, my process was all about removing unpleasant feelings. Anxious thoughts cause anxiety. That causes unpleasant feelings. It is hard to feel the love of God. Even though God’s love is never blocked, it is difficult to sense His presence and love when you are anxious. You feel powerlessness. But God uses even that to highlight our need for Him.

Sometimes you need to identify what is causing the anxiety. In the beginning, you may not know; as you work intentionally and diligently to increase peace, you will understand more.

Peace would come as I intentionally chose activities and practices that lifted my spirit and honored God. Jesus rewarded each choice.

• I learned that my actions with biblical practices brought peace.

• I understood that peace followed my actions.

• I experienced that my actions told my mind what to accept as truth.

If you are serious about conquering anxiety, you must micromanage your thought life and love God-honoring activities that bring light into your mind.

WHAT I DID and DO:

1. Scripture writing (https://valerierumfelt.com/scripture-writing-posts/)
2. Scripture memorization(https://valerierumfelt.com/2023/02/21/writer-answers-reader/)
3. Truth Cards- ( https://valerierumfelt.com/2024/06/17/project-transformation/). Statements like, All the Bible is true. I am going to believe it. Your truth cards are personal to you. Whatever you need to tell your mind, write it in your own handwriting.
4. Listen to the Bible.
5. Read good books(https://valerierumfelt.com/book-recommendations-2/).
6. Address unresolved issues – We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139), not made to carry unnecessary burdens and live as if nothing is wrong.
7. Adjust media intake. Set new standards for what you allow into your mind.
8. Learn to relax. If you’ve been anxious for a while, relaxing is a new thing. Practice.
9. Learn to love any worry verses and chapters in the Bible. Read them over and over.
10. Pray that God will give you a love for His Word. It is medicine.

Even as you read this, you may know precisely why you experience anxiety. If you do, then my suggestions will help with healing and maintenance. But if you have anxiety and you don’t know why, you may need to get Christian counseling. Anxiety highlights that you have an issue. In that way, it is a good blinking light.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.“
Hebrews 4:12 ESV

On the journey, I became familiar with Loving God with All Your Mind, a practical book by Elizabeth George (in my recommended book list in the menu). It was a key curriculum that helped me understand the importance of Philippians 4:8-9. Fix your mind on the list in that passage. It was an objective standard outside my own thoughts. If my thoughts did not match the qualities in those verses, then I had the power to reject the thoughts. Rejected thoughts get smaller and smaller.

I knew God had good thoughts toward me, but I needed to use my mind to have good thoughts about Him, and not give every thought attention. Me, Myself, and Lies: A Thought Closet Makeover by Jennifer Rothschild was a later discovery and a good maintenance on my journey.

I did not have overnight success. It took practice. Every day and every effort I made to focus on God and His Word or wholesome content and activities reduced the anxiety. As the thoughts subsided, a vacuum needed to be filled. I wasn’t just getting rid of thoughts; I was putting in new ones!

So I filled the vacuum with the things of God, and my faith grew, and I learned the joy of His presence and felt His affirmation. He was cheering for me. As I perceived His love, I trusted Him more. Trusting God is huge. Trust is blocked when our minds are busy and in anxiety mode.

Many people struggle with anxiety, and most want a quick fix. My journey required the diligence and intentionality mentioned earlier. It wasn’t easy, but it was rewarding. Gifts came like the many skills and practices that I thoroughly enjoy incorporating into my life today! I write about many things on my website here.

I pray that any of my suggestions help you.

©Valerie Rumfelt

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