If you are a human in the world today with breath, you have felt anxiety -I am going to bet on it- at some point. Whether it’s temporary anxiety over a circumstance or long endured, anxiety is unfortunately increasingly more present and a battle for so many. I always try to be as transparent as possible here. I mean, at the end of the day, I choose to put my life on display through The Cake as a way to use what I am going through to encourage others they’re not alone. Which, funnily enough, can be anxiety-inducing at times. I have shared my journey with anxiety before, and so many of us have found unity and community in being honest about it together. Mine was a hard season, long months of battling thoughts and pressures I had never faced before. I was frustrated I was struggling with anxiety and dreaded night time, because I knew I wouldn’t sleep.

Anxiety sucks.

But, praise God, he made a way before time for anxiety. He freed me on the cross from my anxiety. He freed you from yours. Scripture is God-breathed. It stands firm, it is true. When we have scripture written on our hearts, it’s our way to combat the enemy. It’s like being armed when an intruder is breaking in and saying, “Nice try, but I will beat the mess out of you if you take another step into my home.”

A few nights ago Paul and I were dead asleep when our house alarm system started to go off. We just recently installed it after a weird Amazon Delivery experience that scared me, and I turned into Jackie Chan in .02 seconds. I jumped out of bed and ran for the nursery. As I scaled the bed and leapt for the door, I realized I wasn’t equipped to take on an intruder if in fact there was one, but at that point I had committed and I was ready to kill anybody that might hurt my baby.

Turns out our electricity went out due to high winds during a thunderstorm, which caused our alarm to go off when it came back on. Thank goodness there wasn’t an actual burglar. But, Paul says that night he was both proud of me and completely terrified of me. I am serious, I was so ready to destroy… except I wasn’t equipped. I would have given my best efforts against the enemy, all 5’1 and 110 pounds, but let’s be real. I probably wouldn’t have actually been able to win without proper aid or weapons.

Just the same, when we don’t have scripture within us to combat the enemy’s lies, we aren’t equipped to beat his sneaky and destructive ways. Eventually, the lies will sink into our core and we will start to believe the whispers he so slyly says to us in our ear. Anxiety bubbles up when we turn from the Lord and begin chasing after lies, trying to live up to things we will never live up to or be in charge of things we were never meant to take the reins on. Anxiety is the outcome of us believing lies. Somewhere at your core, a truth has been replaced with a lie. But you are a conquerer, and you are equipped to take on the battle. Here are 10 different scriptures I remind myself of when truth escapes me and panic ensues.

Consider these my fist, my sword, my armor.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life.” Matthew 6: 25-27

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3: 5-6

“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

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16

“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22

“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” Proverbs 12:25

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.” Psalm 23:1

Read these over and over. Write them on your heart. Don’t go into battle without being armed. And, next to scripture and a relationship with God, don’t do life alone. Be in community. Be known.