planted

As I have scrolled through my Facebook feed and listened to those around me, I hear and see a theme that has plagued so many people. That theme is anxiety. Whether the cause is from the busyness of life or stems from a fear of something, the symptoms of anxiety are sly and misleading. It really wasn’t until I read an article about what high-functioning anxiety looks like that I was able to recognize exactly what had been plaguing me for so many years. I was equally shocked to realize just how prevalent the anxiety issue was and is.

The sad thing is that the symptoms of anxiety are so misleading that although I sought out medical help for some of my symptoms, the doctors I went to couldn’t or didn’t catch on to the root of my problems. I had even told one doctor that I thought my symptoms might be from stress, but the doctor seemed to dismiss the notion since my outward persona was calm and in control.

Part of my healing process was realizing that I wasn’t a “freak” – that the symptoms I faced day in and day out were not just in my head. I am positive that if I could have been able to identify the cause of the bizarre, seemingly irrational symptoms that haunted me daily, I would have healed much quicker. The good news is that I am now free from those frequent panic attacks. Anxiety still tries to give me fits now and then, but I have learned how to use it to recognize the root of the issue and deal with it quickly. It is no longer in control of me.

I hadn’t really thought about sharing my story about living with anxiety and how I have learned to deal with it until I felt God prompting me to share it with others. I didn’t feel like I had much to offer on the subject – I am not an expert by any means. In fact, as a pastor, it was a little tough to open up and examine this subject in my life for all to see, but I knew this was what I was supposed to do. Therefore, I hosted a “Break Free” night at our church and was overwhelmed and surprised by the interest and turnout for the event. Women came with their Bibles and notebooks ready for answers on how to break free from worry, stress, and anxiety.

In the days and weeks that followed the event, I heard testimony after testimony from those in attendance of how the evening had helped them. I was also frequently asked if I was going to host another event like it. I was a little taken back by the response I received and prayed about what God wanted me to do next. As I prayed, the prompting of this book kept coming to me. So, it is again out of obedience to God that I am writing and sharing with you what I have learned.

It is my prayer that as you read this book, you will find practical and spiritual insight that can be applied to your unique situation. This book can be used in a group Bible study setting or individually. I encourage you to:
• Highlight and underline portions of the book that speak to you as well as look up the scriptures in your own Bible and take time to think on them.
• Find a journal or notebook to designate as your study notebook and answer the questions and journal prompts at the end of each chapter to get more insight and really engage in the process of living a peaceful life.
• Take advantage of the more in-depth teaching for each chapter from the QR code provided with the journal prompts. Simply download a free QR reader on your smartphone or tablet, and you’re ready to go.

As you begin to put these biblical principles into practice, you will experience more peace in your life than ever before. I pray that you may understand just how much God loves you and how He created you to operate in this life. Most importantly, I pray that you learn how to maintain that freedom and live in a place of peace all the time. That’s right! I said ALL THE TIME. Trust me, it is possible! Are you ready to have your life transformed?