Claiming the promises of Christ

As stated in a previous post, I have always had a big problem with anxiety. I worry about things quite a lot. I try to pretend like I dont, but I really do. There have been times in my past when I even made myself sick literally.

After delving into my anxiety I realized long ago that it is simply a lack of faith. Anxiety has a wonderful/horrible way of clearly showing us where our faith is lacking. When I stop and think about whatever I am anxious about it become obvious to me exactly what I dont believe about Christ. What promise do I doubt?

Point in fact, I struggle big time with believing that Jesus is enough for me. Psalms 16:11 states that, “In His presence is fullness of joy and in His right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Everyday I struggle to believe this. After my life battles while living in the Middle East I realize how far I really am from trusting in that promise.

Recently I have gained a tremendous asset in this battle. It is not a new weapon. In fact it is very obvious in scripture. However, I dont think I have ever really used it before.

Let me explain. This week I was spending some time with a person that is very gifted in discussing these things. After a long talk she mentioned that I really need to learn to claim the promises of Christ. I thought, “Ummm…..what do you mean? I know we are to claim the promises. I do that already.” I even know Hebrews 4:16,

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need

Apparently she knew what I was thinking and said, “verbally.” She went on to explain that I needed to say the basis for the promise, the statement of the promise (generally at least), and what struggle specifically that it shattered out loud. After a couple minutes in prayer I attempted to do this. It was so hard!!!! (and awkward to be honest)

Afterward, she smiled and said that I had not done what she asked. I knew she was right, but for some reason I could not form the words. It was at that moment that I realized that my prayers in that past have tended to be shallow, nonspecific, noncommittal, and I almost never base the promise on its foundation.

So, we talked through it, and finally we got to this,

“By the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, I claim the promise that you are enough for my satisfaction and happiness against feelings of a lack of satisfaction in you. Psalms 16:11 says, “In Your presence is fullness of joy and in Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. I claim this promise as a child of God.”

I said this verbally. I immediately recognized that there was power in my words. This wasnt because I said them, but simply because they were truth. There is an amazing power behind verbally claiming truth.

She then went on to tell me that I needed to practice this. It is like exercising in a sense. We need reps to build it up.

I dont think my struggle is over. I do, however, think I just entered into the battle with a new extremely powerful weapon.