FEAR AND ANXIETY ARE NOT INVITED GUESTS

Sunset in Seaside,  April 28, 2021

by Tammy Phillips
April 29, 2021

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV)

A few days ago, I walked out of Planet Fitness. It was a great day.  I was in a great place, mentally and spiritually.  We have prepared for over a year for our son’s upcoming wedding.  Everything  was in order and ready to go.  However,  out of nowhere, fear and anxiety tried to jump all over me.   A multitude of anxious thoughts came to the door of mind and began knocking loudly.  Safety of travelers?  Will there be enough food?  Will the flowers be correct?  Will we have enough time to set up?  Will everything fit into Parker’s car? Will my rehearsal dinner outfit arrive on time? (I ordered over a month ago.  Different story for a different day.)  Are you anxious yet?  These were just a few of the thoughts I had from the time I  exited the building on the short walk to my car.

Thank God for the Holy Spirit who always goes before us, walks beside us and has our back, too.

First, He made me laugh.  He put me in my place.  He reminded me that Kris and I were only responsible for sixty-five guests and two to three hours of a rehearsal dinner.  We were not responsible for the big show and all the logistics of a wedding for two hundred and fifty people.  I heard the Lord say in my spirit, “Can you imagine the thugs knocking on Cathy Wilcheck’s door?”  She is the sweet mother of the bride.

Secondly, Holy Spirit reminded me that worry, and stress were uninvited guest to the party.  My bodyguard, Jesus, had beat them long ago and would help me do it again.  He  had taught me  how to bounce them right out the door.

Lastly, I was reminded of 2 Corinthians 10:5, we have some responsibility in the matter.  The Word has instructed us to:

2. Cast down imaginations, thoughts and reasonings. Cast down is one word in the Greek, kathaireō, which means to take down, pull down, forcefully throw down , refute, demolish and  destroy.  Imaginations is the Greek word logismos.  It is a derivative of  logos  which means words.  Casting is a continuous action.  We are to continually throw down the words of worry and fear that try to elevate their selves  in our lives.   
3. Casting down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. The knowledge of God says, “Do not fear!  Do not worry.  Peace! Have faith in God.”  These are truth words in our lives.  They are words Jesus paid for with His life.  He won the victory over fear and worry. They are truth words in our lives.  They destroy fear and anxiety when the come knocking.
4. Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.  The word of the  Lord tells us when we  start to doubt, fear or be anxious, we must stop our thoughts.  We must take dominion over them in Jesus and  not be conformed to the world and the way it thinks.  We are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds with the truth words of God. So, when they pound at the door.  Take them captive. Take control of the thoughts.  We either invite them into the party or we kick them out as the undesired guests that they are.

Now, steps 1-3 happened that day in about a five-minute period of time.  I chose to give the devil no place in my mind (Ephesians 4:27).    I also followed the directions and got the results of James 4:7, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”   Peace reigned that day.  I was an overcomer and more than a conqueror in Christ.  If we welcome them in and entertain them, they are hard to get to leave.  They want to stay and torment.

I enCOURAGE you to take action immediately.  Kick out fear and worry next time they come knocking at your party.  Learn how to renew your mind.  Get in the word.  Know the word.  Use the word of God when those uncalled-for guests bang at the entrance of your mind.   They are after all, uninvited and unwelcomed guests!