I am beginning to post my messages on my blog for any minister out there to use. Hopefully you will be able to use them, glean from them, or whatever - just please don't publish them. Hopefully this will be a useful resource for all of you in the ministry out there!
Handling Heart AttacksText:
Proverbs 12:25: Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.
Anxiety, fear, worry…is an attack on the heart.
Anxiety attacks in the physical body can have the same symptoms as a real heart attack
Anxiety attacks in the spiritual body can be the same – stopping the core of us – leaving us overwhelmed, inactive, distraught.
1.
Anxiety defined
1 a : painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind usually over an impending or anticipated ill b : fearful concern or interest c : a cause of anxiety2 : an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physiological signs (as sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it
Synonyms: agitation, anxiousness, apprehension, apprehensiveness, care, concern, disquiet, nervousness, perturbation, solicitude, uneasiness, worry Related Words strain, stress, tension; alarm, anguish, consternation, desperation, desperateness, discomfort, discomposure, dismay, distraction, distress, disturbance, edginess, jitters, jumpiness; fear, fearfulness, torment, upset, vexation; doubt, dread, foreboding, incertitude, misgiving, presentiment, suspense, uncertainty
What causes anxiety
Choices we’ve made,
family,
friends,
relationships,
insecurity,
doubt,
unknowns about the future,
fears,
how you’ve been treated,
the past,
money,
etc…
2. Depression defined
2) : a psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies c (1) : a reduction in activity, amount, quality, or force (2) : a lowering of vitality or functional activity
Synonyms: recession, slump Related Words crash, panic; stagnation
Near Antonyms development, growth; advancement, progress
Proverbs 12:25 redefined: Uneasiness, fear, worry, stress, anguish, tension, desperation, etc… and on and on in the heart of man causes sadness, inactivity, hopelessness, etc… and on and on, but a GOOD WORD makes it glad.
Realization:
Allowing yourself to stay in a state of anxiety will steal your joy and cause you harm!
You need joy because
The joy of the Lord is your strength
This strength comes from joy that you can’t find anywhere but God
Joy is the knowing beyond feeling, the trusting beyond circumstances that God has it under control – that’s our strength – knowing that when everything is crazy, there is still God in control.
The enemy knows anxiety will steal your joy and would love to keep you in that state.
A problem focused mind is not a promise focused mindWhen we get our minds off of the promises of God - the promises that give hope, reassurance, encouragement… It cripples our outlook on life, and gives the enemy the upper hand.
Anxiety becomes the most dangerous when it shuts out the Word of God in our life.Matt 13:22
22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.Are there cares, concerns and worries in your life that are choking the promises in the Word out of your life?
We have to examine our lives to see if there are things choking out the Word of God and its promises.· So many come to church or other events, receive a bunch of great seed planted into their life that is meant to grow, and bear good fruit in their lives… but they stay unchanged because they fail to take note of the things in life choking out the powerful Word of God that can change everything!
· We are not meant to hear the Word of God and stay the same
The Word of God is life changing, powerful – sharper than a two edged sword
· It is an awesome source of life and direction that changes everything when it is applied!
· The enemy would love, however, to see you stay an anxious mess.
How can I handle an anxious heart?
Re-Direction – go a different route – detours can be a little out of our way, but they are necessary! They can keep us from harm! Detour your life: change your influences, etc…
Re-Direct your thoughts
Col 3:2
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Shift your focus from the horizontal to the vertical!
Phil 4:8-9
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.What is your mind feeding on? The things that we dwell on, whether positive or negative affect us!
Re-Direct your memory The children of Israel battled short term memory loss.
God split the Red Sea, they were delivered from their enemy, then, a few verses later…
Ex 17:1-3
17:1 The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 So they quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink."
Moses replied, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to the test?"
3 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?" How could they have all of a sudden forgot they serve a God who just split the Red Sea and delivered them?
How many times do we get caught up in worry and forget all the times that God has been there to help us in times past?
How is your memory?
Do you remember what God has done for you?
He’s the same yesterday, today and forever – he’ll take care of you again!
Before you let the anxiety and panic hit your heart – take a step back and remember who your God is!
Re-Direct your point of viewMatt 6:27-34
27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
· God is saying CHILL OUT!
· God is saying put me first!
Doesn't the Word say to
"seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you...?"Re-Direct your prayers
Phil 4:5-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Become a person of prayer.
Let their be a prayer revolution in your Life
When fear hits – pray
When doubt hits – pray
When trials come – pray
When you have questions with out answers – pray
When you feel alone – pray
When you feel down, discouraged, powerless – pray
How can I handle an Anxious Heart?Focus on the “good Word”
“…but a good word makes it glad…”
Remember how a problem focused mind is not a promise focused mind?
Well, a promise focused mind is not a problem focused mind!
When you look to the Word to find those promises, those promises will help you fix your focus, and with a fixed focus, the Word will fuel your joy, and with a fixed focus, and fueled joy, you’ll be able to more effectively fight your battles.
“Good Words” to make the heart glad
Check out these "good words" found in scripture:
Ps 62:5-8
5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Ps 46:1-2
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
John 14:26-27
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Deut 31:7-8
7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
God is the strength of our Life
If God before us, who can be against us
We know that in all these things we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus
My God shall supply all my needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus
"Good words" and promises like these, should bring the joy, gladness, reassurance, and the confidence back to our lives.
*NOTE - I used the song "You Never Let Go" by Matt Redman to go along with the message - it worked great with it.
