How do we disarm anxiety? Stockpile our minds with God thoughts. Saturate your heart with the goodness of God. “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). How might you do this?
A friend recently described to me her daily ninety-minute commute.
“Ninety minutes!” I commiserated.
“Don’t feel sorry for me.” She smiled. “I use the trip to think about God.” She went on to describe how she fills the hour and a half with worship and sermons. She listens to entire books of the Bible. She recites prayers. By the time she reaches her place of employment, she is ready for the day. “I turn my commute into my chapel.”
Do something similar. Is there a block of time you can claim for God? Perhaps you could turn off the network news and open your Bible. Set the alarm fifteen minutes earlier. “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32 ESV). Free from fear. Free from dread. And, yes, free from anxiety.