How to relinquish anxiety, worry, fear, and more

There’s no shortage of things going on in the world to make you worried, anxious, or fearful.

Job loss. Health problems. Divorce. Betrayals. Natural disasters. Political turmoil. And much more.

These are just some of the issues you could face on a given day.

So how can you learn to relinquish the challenges you’re facing and seek God’s help to overcome them?

The steps are simple.

Step 1: Admit what you fear most might happen.

Face your situation honestly, instead of worrying about it.

As you pray, tell God what you fear most might happen.

This starts the process of facing those fears and relinquishing them to God.

Step 2: Put the situation into God’s hands.

God already knows what you’re thinking.

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account”. (Hebrews 4:13)

He sees your every thought, word, and deed. He genuinely loves us, wants what is ultimately best for us and is eminently capable of moving in our situation for good.

“O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise; you discern my thoughts from afar.” (Psalm 139:1)

God also wants to help us with our burdens. And encourages you to call on him to do this.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for us.” (1 Peter 5:7)

You can put the situation in his hands because if there is one person to trust, it’s God!

He knows what to do better than anyone, including you.

Step 3: Acknowledge that God’s ways are always better than yours.

Control.

It’s what you (and everyone else) are holding onto, instead of fully trusting in God.

Accepting God’s plan is indeed easier intellectually than emotionally.

You can say, I trust God.

But to make that emotional connection with his supernatural strength and power…that’s another thing.

Acceptance means you allow God to set the pace.

It means being open to directions that are not what you had planned.

It’s setting aside your expectations, and trusting in what you know to be true: God is by far the best person in the universe to deal with your situation.

Step 4: Say that you will accept whatever God allows to happen.

The next step is to let go of doubt.

When you allow God’s way to prevail in your life, you can be sure that the situation will have the best possible outcome.

Then, you can be optimistic and hopeful, knowing that although you may not understand it fully, God’s way is better than your way can ever be.

Entrusting our situation to God guarantees that things will work out in the best possible way.

But when you entrust your worries and fears to God, you receive more than assurance of the best possible outcome.

Instead of worry, fear, and anxiety—which often leads to sleeplessness, tension, irritability, and weariness—you receive rest and peace!

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)