Fear, Worry, and Anxiety: Battling for our Faith (pt.2)
B. The Sources of Fear
1. The Control Factor: Despite statistics that state that one has a much higher rate of dying in a car crash then in a plane crash, most people do not become as afraid of driving as they do while riding in a plane. What is the reason for this irrational fear? People are more comfortable driving because they feel like they are more in control then they are simply as a passenger in an airplane. This feeling of being in control of our own safety is sinfully comforting for all people. The feeling of not being in control is a major contributor to panic attacks. Panic attacks are difficult to deal with because it does not matter how many times the counselee tells himself not to be afraid or that he is not going to have another panic attack. In fact, the more the counselee focuses on trying to overcome the possibility, the more likely he is to have another one.[1] Another way that those who have suffered from panic attacks try to control their occurrences is to avoid places where the attacks have happened. Panic attacks happen in a downward spiral type of progression. (1) The desire to control some aspect of the counselee’s world leads to, (2) the realization that life is out of control, leading to, (3) the physical experience of fear, (4) leading to the desire to control the fear experience as well as the circumstances, (5) leading to anger, isolation, depression, and (6) a world that grows smaller and smaller and more and more out of control, (7) leading to increased efforts, and more fears and so on.[2] Where did this desire to be in control, to be like a god, originally come from? It had its birth in the Garden of Eden. Satan told Eve that if she ate the fruit she would “be like God.”
2. The Praise Factor: In John’s gospel, he stated that the Pharisees loved the approval of man rather then God. Thus, the problem of seeking praise from the world is a love problem. More then the approval of God, the Pharisees sought after the approval of man because it was them who they loved. The counselee can tell if he has an excessive love for what others say about him by the way he responds when he is criticized. If he is quick to defend himself, then he is addicted to the love of the world. However, if he makes room for God to defend him, then he loves God. Part of this love problem stems from a desire to be appreciated. This desire is very common. The counselee needs to try to realize that the only approval he needs is that of God and through Jesus Christ, God approves of the imputed righteousness he has received from his Savior. Instead of fearing the approval of man, the counselee should try to fear the approval of God.
3. The Perfection Factor: Many people have fear and anxiety because they try to be perfect. After all, God has commanded us that we be perfect as Jesus was. However, Jesus’ perfection is beyond our grasp. We can only have true perfection through Jesus Christ. Because of justification and sanctification there is a sense in where we are already perfect (justification) and another at which we are still striving for (sanctification). God’s commands are not burdensome. His yoke is easy. The counselee should realize that we only need to stand up to God’s standards and not man-made Pharisaical rules.
4. The Worry Factor: When a counselee worries, he is filled with unbelief that God will be able to work things out. In Matthew 6:25-33, Jesus addresses the issue of worry. He states that people should not need to worry because God will take care of our needs. After all, God takes care of the needs of the ravens. If God will take care of the ravens, surely He will take care of his children. In this passage, Jesus states that, (1) life consists of more then outward concerns, (2) that God cares perfectly for lesser creatures so it should be obvious that he cares for mankind, (3) worry does not have the capacity to change anything, (4) worry is a road sign that points toward a deeper problem: unbelief, (5) when we worry we’re acting like orphans, forgetting that God is our father, (6) worry proves that we are headed in the wrong direction and, (7) we can’t do anything about what may happen tomorrow. The apostle Paul had three steps to overcome worry, (1) pray about everything, (2) fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right, and (3) practice all you that learned.
Part three will discuss counseling approaches.
[1] Ibid., 55-56.
[2] Ibid., 57.
1. The Control Factor: Despite statistics that state that one has a much higher rate of dying in a car crash then in a plane crash, most people do not become as afraid of driving as they do while riding in a plane. What is the reason for this irrational fear? People are more comfortable driving because they feel like they are more in control then they are simply as a passenger in an airplane. This feeling of being in control of our own safety is sinfully comforting for all people. The feeling of not being in control is a major contributor to panic attacks. Panic attacks are difficult to deal with because it does not matter how many times the counselee tells himself not to be afraid or that he is not going to have another panic attack. In fact, the more the counselee focuses on trying to overcome the possibility, the more likely he is to have another one.[1] Another way that those who have suffered from panic attacks try to control their occurrences is to avoid places where the attacks have happened. Panic attacks happen in a downward spiral type of progression. (1) The desire to control some aspect of the counselee’s world leads to, (2) the realization that life is out of control, leading to, (3) the physical experience of fear, (4) leading to the desire to control the fear experience as well as the circumstances, (5) leading to anger, isolation, depression, and (6) a world that grows smaller and smaller and more and more out of control, (7) leading to increased efforts, and more fears and so on.[2] Where did this desire to be in control, to be like a god, originally come from? It had its birth in the Garden of Eden. Satan told Eve that if she ate the fruit she would “be like God.”
2. The Praise Factor: In John’s gospel, he stated that the Pharisees loved the approval of man rather then God. Thus, the problem of seeking praise from the world is a love problem. More then the approval of God, the Pharisees sought after the approval of man because it was them who they loved. The counselee can tell if he has an excessive love for what others say about him by the way he responds when he is criticized. If he is quick to defend himself, then he is addicted to the love of the world. However, if he makes room for God to defend him, then he loves God. Part of this love problem stems from a desire to be appreciated. This desire is very common. The counselee needs to try to realize that the only approval he needs is that of God and through Jesus Christ, God approves of the imputed righteousness he has received from his Savior. Instead of fearing the approval of man, the counselee should try to fear the approval of God.
3. The Perfection Factor: Many people have fear and anxiety because they try to be perfect. After all, God has commanded us that we be perfect as Jesus was. However, Jesus’ perfection is beyond our grasp. We can only have true perfection through Jesus Christ. Because of justification and sanctification there is a sense in where we are already perfect (justification) and another at which we are still striving for (sanctification). God’s commands are not burdensome. His yoke is easy. The counselee should realize that we only need to stand up to God’s standards and not man-made Pharisaical rules.
4. The Worry Factor: When a counselee worries, he is filled with unbelief that God will be able to work things out. In Matthew 6:25-33, Jesus addresses the issue of worry. He states that people should not need to worry because God will take care of our needs. After all, God takes care of the needs of the ravens. If God will take care of the ravens, surely He will take care of his children. In this passage, Jesus states that, (1) life consists of more then outward concerns, (2) that God cares perfectly for lesser creatures so it should be obvious that he cares for mankind, (3) worry does not have the capacity to change anything, (4) worry is a road sign that points toward a deeper problem: unbelief, (5) when we worry we’re acting like orphans, forgetting that God is our father, (6) worry proves that we are headed in the wrong direction and, (7) we can’t do anything about what may happen tomorrow. The apostle Paul had three steps to overcome worry, (1) pray about everything, (2) fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right, and (3) practice all you that learned.
Part three will discuss counseling approaches.
[1] Ibid., 55-56.
[2] Ibid., 57.
posted by Charlie Wallace at
7:53 PM
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