Brewer is a psychiatrist with both an MD and a PhD. His approach is clinical. He describes anxiety as a habit loop (trigger, behavior, reward). He encourages the reader to identify the habit loops that produce anxiety and do their best to “unwind” these loops. He has good advice and readers would do well to study his research. His data is fascinating, and I’m sure it is helpful for those suffering from anxiety.
Paul’s approach is a bit different. He is writing from an ancient perspective but also from a spiritual perspective. He encourages us to bring our anxiety to God. He puts it this way,
(Philippians 4:6-7 NIV11-GK) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Paul’s admonition encourages us to consider all that God has done for us (with thanksgiving). It’s an intentional consideration of God’s blessings, God’s provisions for us. And then he encourages us to present our anxiety to God, to talk to God about it, to ask God to bring relief and provision amid our anxiety. Jesus also speaks to anxiety. Matthew records it,
(Matthew 6:25 NIV11-GK) “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? …
(Matthew 6:33-34 NIV11-GK) …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.
Paul, Jesus, and Judson Brewer are not offering different advice. All are helpful as we consider the temptation to allow worry, anxiety, and stress to impact us. And while Brewer’s advice can help us, Paul and Jesus provide aid beyond ourselves.
Where is your own anxiety a habit loop you haven’t yet brought to God?
The solution for our anxiety lies beyond our own power. Scripture calls us to bring it to God, to offer it to Him, and to depend on His power in our lives. Secular wisdom can sometimes offer us insights. But everything must be measured against Scripture which gives us answers beyond ourselves.
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