Grab your Bible and turn to Matthew 6:25 and join Dave and Bethlie as they discuss Overcoming Anxiety.

Understanding anxiety

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the U.S., affecting over 40 million adults (19.1%) annually, with roughly 31% of adults experiencing an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. Females are more likely to be affected (23.4%) compared to males (14.3%)

Key Anxiety Statistics

• Prevalence: Nearly 1 in 3 adolescents (ages 13-18) will experience an anxiety disorder.
• Adult Prevalence: Around 19.1% of U.S. adults aged 18+ have an anxiety disorder, with 22.8% of those cases classified as serious impairment.
• Types:
• • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Affects 6.8 million U.S. adults (2.7% prevalence).
  • Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD): Affects 15 million adults, typically beginning at age 13.
  • Panic Disorder: Affects 6 million adults.
• Gender Differences: Women are twice as likely to be affected by anxiety disorders than men.
• Treatment: Only 43.2% of people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder receive treatment.
• Impact: Approximately 70% of adults feel anxious about the state of the world, including economy, personal health, and new technologies.

1. The effects of anxiety
   1. Ulcers
   2. Loss of joy
   3. Inability to cope
   4. Failure to trust God (sometimes is a cause; other times is an effect)
   5. Failure to overcome
      1. Often rooted in the belief that this is just the way I am
      2. Or the believe that I can't overcome it

1. The greek word that is used
   1. "Merimnao"
   2. To divide, part, rip, tear apart

Jesus taught about anxiety

• it is often a part of our lives
• it should not be a part of our lives
• it should be put away
• it should be overcome

Dave and Bethlie continue their series in identifying biblical steps for climbing out of the darkness that depression can bring. From confessing sin and getting right with God, to listing your responsibilities, avoiding pity parties, and anchoring yourself in the truth of Scripture, we know God's Word is powerful enough to help you overcome. Just as David continually brought himself back to the truth of who God is in the midst of his own pain, so can you. If God is real and His Word is true — and it is — you can overcome depression!

1. You can recognize a failing solution when the depression become cyclical
   1. Discouragement is normal to live
   2. Depression occurs when I handle discouragements and failures in a wrong way
   3. Stay focused on duties
      1. If discouragement separates us from our duties, it will always lead to depression
      2. You MUST continue to perform your duties and meet your obligations
   1. Around and around in depression
   2. Cf. 2 Corinthians 4:8
   3. Recognize the truth about what is happening
   4. Understand the difference in discouragement and depression

Steps to take:

1. Confess sin
2. List responsibilities
   1. Pity parties
   2. Gripe sessions
   3. complaining
   1. Your family
   2. Your home
   3. Your job
   4. Avoid all the negatives
3. Get to work doing them

Some truths about depression:

1. Some things are necessary in overcoming depression:
   1. You have to know God personally and intimately
   2. You have to desire to please God by doing what He says
   3. You have to obey God regardless of how you feel
2. Some are more susceptible to depression
   1. It is especially a problem for those who are responsible to set and keep their own schedule
   2. It is especially a problem for those who don't have a schedule
   3. Those who have a schedule (from a boss or workplace) have less of an issue with depression
      1. Self-control is strengthened by their schedule
      2. Self-discipline is set for them already
3. Some things naturally lead towards depression
   1. A setback
      1. Sickness
      2. Disappointment
      3. Failure
      4. Guilt
   2. A tendency to follow feelings rather than to pursue obligations
   3. A willingness to participate in pit-parties or to continually focus on self
4. Nothing but obedience to God and His Word can overcome depression
   1. Ignoring it won't work
   2. Anti-depressants won't work
   3. Substance abuse won't work