Although it is difficult to change our circumstances and how we feel, we can begin to affect our beliefs so that we are transformed from the inside out. Here are some ways we can begin to do this.

1. Release our anxiety to God.
Follow the directive that Paul gives in Philippians 4:6-7, where he writes, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” There are several points to note that may be helpful.
• First of all, anything that makes us anxious should be shared with God.
• Second, always thank God for what He has done and for what He will do because He desires our peace, not our anxiety.
• Third, trust and believe that by sharing with Him, He hears us and will grant us peace because He said He will.

2. Pray the Psalms.
Learn to pray our fears, our tears, our anger, our jealousy, our loneliness, and any other painful emotion that we are experiencing. How do we do this? One way is to pray the Psalms—no other book of the Bible captures such a full range of emotions. How do we pray them? By slowly and deliberately reading them and then putting them into a prayer to God. When praying like this, our hearts and beliefs are slowly aligned with His, and transformation begins.

3. Develop the discipline of thankfulness.
We can do this by starting a gratitude journal and each day list three people, events, or things for which we are thankful. Psalm 22:3 (MEV) tells us that God “inhabits the praises” of His people, and by thanking Him we are praising Him. Indeed, psychological research on the emotional benefits of an attitude of gratitude is voluminous, not surprising given that this has always been a foundational spiritual truth.

4. Remember who we are.
In the first chapter of John, verse 12, we are told that when we believe in and accept Jesus, we become children of God. But what does that mean? It means three important things: We are accepted, we are secure, and we are significant. Numerous Scriptures support our adoption as God’s children, and we need to immerse ourselves in this truth because, as it seeps into us, we are transformed.

5. Share our cares with trusted brothers and sisters in Christ and if necessary, seek out a Christian counselor.
Proverbs 24:6 (GW) states that “with many advisors there is victory,” so we cannot be hesitant in seeking His help from those around us. Remember, He made us and longs to heal us. So, let Him.

by Dr. Al Barrow, Director – Spiritual Development Center