It's natural to feel afraid, especially living in such uncertain times. But anxiety, worry and fear don't have to overwhelm you — instead, you can lean on the word of God for strength and guidance.
You can feel afraid but still believe that God is with you, and although at times, you might not feel in control, you can trust the one who is: God.
Medical studies have shown that anxiety can have significant physical effects on the body, and persistent worry and anxiety over a long-term period may even increase your risk for chronic health conditions, including heart disease, gastrointestinal conditions and respiratory disorders.
While reading the Bible certainly isn't a cure-all for eliminating anxiety since God does not erase our troubles entirely, Scripture can be a great place for Christian seniors to turn to in times of trouble as they gather important reminders of God's faithfulness. Here are five ways faith and scripture can help drive away worry.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
In this verse, God reassures his people that He is here to guard and protect us, support and supply us, and comfort and strengthen our hearts in times of need.
For times when we feel afraid, we can turn to God and lean on him for strength. He may not take all our troubles away, but He can show us a path toward a solution.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
This familiar Bible verse is one seniors can read as part of Psalm 23 that reminds them of one important fact: God will never abandon you. We do not need to fear evil or have anxiety about certain events because He is with us every step of the way.
God loves us and wants what is best for our lives. Through our troubles, God is there to guide. Perhaps you have trouble sleeping at night occasionally and can't quiet your mind. The next time this happens, try turning to scripture and praying to God for rest.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
The Bible tells Christian seniors here that love drives out fear. Therefore, God's love can sustain you even in your darkest moments.
God's love is what drives out our fear and worry. Remember: God is love, and whoever lives in His love lives in God, and God in them.
The Bible tells us that Satan is the one who drives us into fear. In Genesis 3, for example, Satan deceives Eve into eating the fruit off the tree of good and evil. He uses it to steer us away from God's love and grace.
But this verse in 1 John 4:18 tells us that perfect love casts out all evil.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
When something painful or unexpected is happening in your life, it can be easy to become consumed by it. Perhaps it is a conflict with a family member, friend or neighbor, or a generalized worry about visiting the doctor. Whatever it may be, the Bible tells us to take it to God through prayers.
As hard as it might be to overcome, we can never go wrong with turning to God in good times and bad.
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
These inspiring words remind Christian seniors to not become discouraged or anxious in the face of trouble. Even though our physical bodies may be growing older and perhaps more weary, our inner self and relationship with God can be renewed day by day when we turn to Him in times of need and rejoicing.
Paul tells us that it is only by God's grace we have received mercy for help in our times of need, so we should not lose heart.
Scripture passages that discuss fear consistently remind us to focus on what is unseen: God's undying love for us and his mercy. No matter what we are afraid of or feel anxious about, there is a more powerful love there, with us always, to sustain us through uncertain times.
