Victory Requires War: 5 Verses to Pray Against Anxiety

It’s only been a month and some change into this new year, and already I feel the crushing weight of the glory of God. In moments like this, I HAVE to believe that the breaking is necessary to produce whatever it is He is looking for.

In the last season, I was sure. My vision was clear, and I knew exactly what the Lord required of me. But these past few days, I’ve been running on blind faith and obedience. My goal was to move quickly, to obey the Lord fast, before I had a chance to talk myself out of it. Yet there is only so fast a human being can surrender their plans, their desires, and the things they had worked toward.

As I continue navigating this new year, even now, when January has come and gone, I’ve been battling my thoughts. I’m realizing that the enemy had a stronghold in my mind that I would have never addressed without this crushing experience. I cannot demolish demonic covenants if I don’t first recognize what they are.

Entering a new year, or any season of major change, forces us into reflection. I spent an entire week grappling with the fact that I am basically a year away from being 30 years old! And when the reality set in that I thought I’d be further along than I am, unsettling thought patterns began to emerge.

I started feeling like the Lord had abandoned me, instead of believing that He was calling me to abandon my timeline and trust Him. I questioned His love for me, instead of trusting His Word and promises. I felt hopeless and confused, instead of returning to Him in prayer for clarity and direction. It was a slippery downhill slope.

But something shifted. I cannot tell you exactly when, or even how, but as if a weight had been lifted and a grace had landed on me, I began to see things from heaven's POV. Outside of time and limitations. I remained consistently in prayer, despite the thoughts, despite the feelings. I was determined to let every last tear fall at my Father's feet, resolved to finish right there, like a pen running out of ink.

After crying out and pouring my heart out to Father God, what felt like spiritual oppression lifted. That’s when He reminded me of the word He gave me for this year: Victory. And a power rose up in me as He spoke. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthian 12:9)

You cannot be victorious if you don’t first go to war. Everyone wants the glory and the accolades, but no one wants the near-death experiences. Everyone wants the Daniel testimony, but no one willingly enters the lion’s den. Yet when we find ourselves in those dark places,riddled with anxiety, fear or oppressed by lying tongues, it becomes imperative to remember this: the source of light lives in you, and it’s up to you to let Him shine.

Stay vigilant Faithful People and Stay blessed!

-Christele Bethsey

If you find yourself struggling with negative thoughts, about yourself, your circumstances, or even our God, here are a few verses that can help pull you out:

2 Corinthians 10:5

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ"

Psalm 91:2

"I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust'

Philippians 4:6

"do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God"

Isaiah 60:20

"Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended"

Matthew 6:33-34

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."