Christian Readers discussion

Thank you Stan.

As a believer in Jesus Christ, you are called to live a bold, confident and overcoming life. You do not have to live under the weight and pressure of fear or anxiety. Because of Jesus, fear, worry and uncertainty are beneath you. When you rise up in faith, knowing that God is with you and for you, all doubt and fear has to leave your life.

Notice that Prov. 28:1 says that the righteous are as bold as a lion. Righteousness is God’s way of doing things. When you do things His way, when you are submitted to His plan for your life, He will empower you with boldness and strength. He will equip you to walk in His victory.

Today, if you have been feeling anxious or fearful, begin to declare God’s truth over your life which will set you free! Declare that you are righteous in Christ Jesus. Declare that you are more than a conqueror. Declare that you are as bold as a lion because you are a child of the Most High God!

Thanks David. WE should all be bold as Lions.

Stanley go sell your book somewhere else.

This is supposed to be a book for Christian readers. I failed to see anything Christian in your blabbing. (It was informative though.)

Stanley quote:
" the first thing you can do is to divide the task into a series of smaller steps..."

Or take it to God first. Then use your...

Positive statements that make you feel good? Turn on Joel Osteen. Want to hear from God? Open the Bible. That's what Christian readers read to help them manage their fears and anxieties, not pop psychology or TV preachers so-called.

You are a slave to whatever controls you (2 Peter 2:19), but you don't have to let evil win. You can conquer it by doing good (Romans 12:21). Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think (Romans 12:2). Clothe yourself with tender hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Col 3:12). As a new creature in Christ, you now have the ability to respond (and are therefore response-able to act) differently. You can put off irrational fears and excuses, and you can be victorious. Continue to study the Scriptures on this topic, because Scripture is useful to teach you what is true (reality) and to correct what is (really) wrong in your life (not just covering over symptoms). It really corrects us and teaches us how to (think and) do right 2 Tim 3:16).

Through your salvation in Christ and the Word of God you have the foundation, knowledge and power to triumph. Work at changing the language you speak to yourself. You hear what you say to yourself and start to believe it when you listen to it often enough. Instead of thinking "panic attack" think "fear experience" because "panic" and "attack" leave us with the impression that we are helpless, hopeless victims. God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure (1 Cor 10:13).

Despite all the things that attempt to overwhelm you, overwhelming victory is yours through Christ, who loved you and gave himself for you. Nothing can ever separate you from God's love - neither death nor life, angels nor demons, your fears for today nor your worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate you from God's love (Rom 8:37-38). Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything you can understand. His peace will guard your heart and mind as you live in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:6-7).

Focus on God's sovereign control in the midst of chaos. Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit you to slip and fall (Psalm 55:22). Remember Psalm 42: Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again, my Savior and my God!

God is your refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). Let all that you are wait quietly before God, for your hope is in him. He alone is your rock and your salvation, your fortress where you will not be shaken. Your victory and honor come from God alone. He is your refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach you. Trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is your refuge (Psalm 62:5-8).

When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy, because when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing (James 1:2-4). God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished (Philippians 1:6).

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand (Psalm 37:23-24). Divine discipline brings a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained by it. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that yourself and others who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong (Hebrews 12:11-13).

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation (1 Peter 5:10).

Study the Bible day and night so that you can learn it and be careful to live according to it. Only then will you begin to really prosper and succeed (Joshua 1:8).


O Lord, I come to you for protection; don't let me be disgraced. Turn your ear and listen to me; rescue me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe. I entrust my spirit into your hand. Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God. I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress. Tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away. I am dying from grief; my years are shortened by sadness. Sin has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within. How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues. (Psalm 31)

God knew his people in advance, and having chosen them, he called them to come to Him, and gave them right standing with himself; and having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? (Romans 8:29-31)

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. Don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6:33-34)

I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant. I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. (Psalm 73:21-24)

My heart is sometimes fearful about travel. I acknowledge this as a warning that I should remain still. It can be as simple as a trip to the store. Do I really need to go at this time? Fear is a part of the corrupt soul that we inherited from Adam. At other times I may need to close my eyes and pray, but fears can be a border to keep us in the green grass of His will.

You wrote quite a book there Troy. Good stuff!

Well worth reading.

John I understand you. I travel for a living as a truckdriver...Through snowy mountains all winter. I pray alot. I'd rather stay home.

When I Am Afraid: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Fear and Anxiety

If you want a refreshing biblical alternative to secular psychiatry in so-called christian counseling, check out Ed Welch, David Powlison or any of the guys with the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation.

Fear is like a back ache in the soul. We are Spirit, soul and body. Fear can occur in the soul from lack of sleep, too much caffine, or lack of communion (Lord's supper). However, there is a spirit of intimidation. I have experienced this a few times when a wave of pressure comes down. A Christian life has foes that are unseen, like a soldier in battle. In America everything is usually peaceful in the natural, no bombs and bulletts everyday, but the spiritual world and the unseen foes are still around. Quoting Scripture and a little more religious stuff does not always apply (see II Cor. 1:8).

Fear is one of evil's favorite weapons. When fear tries to enter my heart, I refer to what Jesus said. It's so important, that I had to frame it. All you have to do is accept His gift, and follow His instructions. http://easterbunnyblog.wordpress.com/...
If anyone wants of free copy of the photo, just let me know, and I'll send you the hi-res version. It's one my favorite Bible verses. I think lots of folks might be able to cancel their visit to the shrink if they heeded those words.

In church I've been told that fear is one way that the devil can get ahold of you in your life. Through my experiences that's really true! I would start worrying about something and it would turn into me being afraid of it. It robs you of your joy and you shouldn't let anything do that.

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ (Matthew 6:26-31 ESV)

That verse is a big comfort To me! Go takes care of the birds and flowers, why wouldn't he care for me too? :D

⍟✪∞†Jess†∞✪⍟ wrote: "In church I've been told that fear is one way that the devil can get ahold of you in your life. Through my experiences that's really true! I would start worrying about something and it would turn i..." /Anglican John Stott has an interesting teaching titled, "The Birds: Our Teacher."

What's it about?

Perched on a tree branch, two birds were observing passers-by rushing from one place to another. Looking at their faces, one bird asked the other, ‘why is man so full of worries and cares?’ The other bird answered, ‘maybe they don’t have a heavenly Father like we do’ (Matt. 6:26).

We have to learn how to live from the life of Christ that is on the inside of us every day, and not only when we get in trouble. Do not wait until something is so overwhelming that you have no choice but to turn to God. Obviously you will have some success from the things that you do, but if you are to condition and discipline yourself in anything that you do, discipline yourself to depend on the life of God that is on the inside of you. 2 Peter 1:4 declares “…which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature…” We are partakers of Christ’s divine nature! In spite of our imperfections, God sees us as new creations, partakers of His divine nature and more than conquerors over our faults. Our Abba Father wants us to see ourselves the way He sees us.

Anything that causes you worry is an opportunity to lean on and trust in God. I used to think that I had to ask God to give me more patience, until I realised one day that Jesus is my patience. Since then, I no longer ask God to make me wiser either, because Jesus is my wisdom (1 Cor. 1:30). I am not waiting to receive more healing because Jesus is my complete healing (1 Pet. 2:24). I am not longing for peace and rest one day because Jesus is my peace and rest today (Matt. 11:28-30). Right now, I have everything because I stand complete in Christ (Col. 2:10)!

Remember, you are not going to be complete in Christ someday, you are already complete in Christ! What remains for you to do is to walk daily in that completeness by believing that it is true and confessing that what you need right now, Jesus is to you. He is your complete forgiveness, complete righteousness, complete favour and complete protection. Fall in love with those situations where you feel like your back is against the wall; as these are opportunities for Jesus to show you what He can do! Many of us have issues, and we are saying ‘I do not know what to do’. The answer is the life that you carry with you! Put Jesus in the game! He has plans that you do not know about! Get real about your relationship with Jesus. In whatever circumstance you are in, choose to trust Him! Pray this prayer out loud: ‘Lord, I only have life because You gave me Your life. Lord, I want to live from Your life. I do not ever want to step in front of You and say, ‘I know how to do this, therefore I do not need You’. Jesus, my life is supposed to be lived through You. It is not my life! It is not my will! It is all You! I purpose to walk and develop in a place where I am totally dependent on You, Lord. Amen”.

The Birds Our Teacher is a 96 page book with a DVD. It's about learning not to worry by observing birds from Matthew 6. Due to the fall of man, our soul was corrupted with fear due to separation from God, the source of peace. However, the soul of birds was not corrupted from the fall, although other parts of creation suffered. Some believe that birds do not have souls, however a close study of the word "soul" in the OT/NT reveal they do. And Jesus call King Herod "a fox" to identify how King Herod's soul operated. The study of the soul (psychology) is vague. Man can only observe patterns of behavior and try to classify them. If man could understand the soul in detail, most of the problems of the world could be solved. A soul winner is someone who prevents another from a destructive behavioral pattern, not an evangelist that preaches the Word of faith.

Wow! What a thought: something that wasn't corrupted by the fall. And that birds might have souls.

There's a fun debate.

I will stick with the Biblical thought that: the only thing that matters is the gift from the Father to the Son...and that is ELECT.
After all: Did God save all the birds in Noah's Flood?

I've read some good books on anxiety, fear, etc. from Christian counselors. Some of the names of the authors are Paul Tripp & Ed Welch. Check them out and see what interests you.

Also, check in on my website and Facebook page for book reviews on those books and others: https://www.facebook.com/Christianlit...

hey michael , can you list some of those books on anxiety and fear. i would like to get your opinion as i have lots of anxiety and want to help myself...thanks