Anxiety has become an epidemic that is spreading every day. It’s as if the entire world has forgotten what it’s like to be at peace, calm, comfortable with their surroundings.

When you are walking down the aisle at a store and someone starts to slow down to speak to you, do you look down and avoid eye contact or do you greet them with a smile? When you are standing in line, do you make conversation with those around you, or do you lose yourself in your phone to avoid awkwardness? What are you afraid of? Are you being Christ to others by secluding yourself from the world around you? How can we expect to share Jesus with others if we can’t even share a smile?

Anxiety is a tool that the devil uses to control our minds and keep us preoccupied and distant from our Lord and Savior. It can come in many forms, be seen in different ways, and affect those around you without you even knowing it.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.” Proverbs 3:5-7

When Eve was first tempted in the garden to take of the forbidden fruit, Satan asked her, “why would God not want you to have wisdom like Him?” In a split second, she started to doubt God. Shortly afterwards, she took of a bite of the fruit and gave some to her husband as well. Sin and death entered the world the minute Eve let her mind, filled with a Satan’s deception, talk her into to taking the fruit she was told not to touch by God Himself.

“Now the serpent was craftier than any other beast of the field that the Lord had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree of the garden.” Genesis 3:1

“..the serpent said, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was a delight to the eyes, and the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband.” Genesis 3:4-7

In a split second, your mind can ruin your life and the lives of others around you.

The signs of anxiety are not always clear, but I can guarantee you that someone you know is suffering on the inside from this unruly epidemic. Someone you know is controlled by the worried thoughts of their mind and searching for a way out of the cage they have created for themselves.

Someone that suffers from anxiety is most often described as a person that worries about almost everything, but there are so many other signs that are overlooked and left unnoticed in today’s society.

An anxious person struggles to accept that God is in control and tries to handle everything on their own.  They don’t even realize that they are trying to be ‘more powerful’ than God, but every day that they choose to try to handle things themselves without God, they are basically telling God they don’t need Him. They like to fix things, people included. They are often leaders and strong willed in their opinions. You would never know that they are struggling because they look like they have it all together every time you see them. They are usually extroverted and outgoing just to cover up that their inner worries. The outgoing person sitting beside you is broken on the inside. Can you see it?

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to the Lord.” Philippians 4:6

The silent student in class, at work, or even sitting beside you at your house, that person could be screaming on the inside. Do you really know what is going on in their head? What are their thoughts? Where do they come from? Are they begging you talk to them in their heads but too afraid to even say hello? What holds us back from speaking to these people?

“Since we have such hope, we are very bold.” 2 Corinthians 3:12

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” Romans 1:16

The one with dark circles under their eyes, sleep deprived and always drinking coffee to try to stay awake; have you ever tried to talk to them? As you walk by them, you notice their Starbucks coffee and maybe even cringe at the price the cost, but did you notice the hurt in the person’s eyes? Could you see more than just a cool coffee cup with a big price tag?

“I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

When a business man gets out of his nice new car with a briefcase and perfectly pressed suit deep in a conversation on his high dollar phone; can you tell that his finances are the only family he has? Can you see that he is overwhelmed with debt, working overtime every chance he gets just to get by, and completely alone when he walks in the door at night? His greed drove his family away, and he is alone, tired, and just trying to get through each day. On the outside his success shines and causes others to covet everything about him, but in reality he stays busy just to avoid the loneliness he feels inside.

“For the love of money is the root of all evil…” 1 Timothy 6:10

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” Matthew 6:25

The party girl that posts pictures all over social media of her nights out and life of luxury will never tell you that every smile in her pictures is only there because of alcohol. She seems happy and looks like she is living the dream, but she uses alcohol to cover up the fact that she is terrified of slowing down, afraid to give up her lifestyle and move on as a single young mother. She fears reality and avoids it by “looking like” she has it all together.

To the extroverts, the control freaks, the ones that can handle it all, seek the Lord for your peace, let Him be your guide.

“You will seek Me and you will find Me, when you seek with all of your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

To the tired and exhausted, you can find rest in the arms of Christ.

“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

To the successful, the wealthy, and the lonely, God can give you all that you need.

“…My grace is sufficient for you, for My power, is made perfect in weakness…” 2 Corinthians 12:9

To the party girl that lives for the day and survives by masking her anxieties with alcohol and adrenaline, remember that you are not promised tomorrow.

“All flesh is like grass and its glory like the flower of the grass. The grass withers and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” 1 Peter 1:24-25

“Cast all your cares on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

To the worriers, the everyday fake smilers, and the anti-social avoiders of society, it’s time to step up, look away from your phones, and feel the meaning of living like Christ.

“The Lord is my Light and my Salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

The signs of anxiety may not always be clear, but the devil will do whatever it takes to gain control over your thoughts, take away your peace, your calm, and your joy in life.

Fill your mind with Christ and He will filter the things of this world that are constantly bringing you down. Let go of yourself and give your whole self, mind, body, and soul to the One that loves you most.

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 3:1-3

“Set your mind on things above, not on things of this earth.” Colossians 3:2

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent and praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

May God bless you and show you His grace every day!