The Spirit of Worry Must Go: Receive Freedom and Healing

Stress and worry are often oppressive weights on the hearts of many believers, as they disrupt the peace and trust in God that Christians are invited into. The feelings of these negative influences stem from our primary focus on the circumstances of life rather than the faithfulness of our loving heavenly Father. When stress and worry flood our lives, we partner with fear, uncertainty, and doubt in God’s protection, provision, and care.

According to the APA Dictionary of Psychology, stress affects nearly every system of the body by influencing how we feel and behave.^[i] For example, it can be manifested in an irregular heartbeat, accelerated speech, a rise in negative emotions, and a longer duration of stress fatigue. In personal ministry settings, I have witnessed those who struggle with stress and worry, influenced by: 

• Constant racing thoughts about the future, past events, or needing control. 

• Physical symptoms like headaches, muscle tension, digestion issues, or trouble sleeping. 

• Difficulty focusing on the present and being fully engaged in activities. 

At its root, these negative emotions come from our inability to control the life circumstances around us. When our responsibilities are misplaced, we create a mental and emotional cycle of anxiety, where we often struggle to manage our strength rather than relying on God’s truth: His Word, promises to us, and our identity in Christ. 

Freedom from the negative influence of stress and worry comes when we shift our focus to rely deeply on God’s power and sovereignty in every situation. This level of absolute trust is an invitation to surrender everything that burdens us by focusing on His Word and finding strength in His promises. The peace we receive from God, as we release full control into His hands, will never be rooted in our circumstances or external strength; instead, it will flow from our security and safety of resting in His hands.  

Questions to Ask:  

1. List everything in your life that causes you stress or worry. 

   1. How long have these things been in your life? 

   2. How frequently have you been bothered by your stress or worry? 

2. On a scale of 1-10, (1 - being unlikely and 10 - being likely), how likely are these things to happen to you? 

3. With whom do you share what stresses you? 

   1. How have you incorporated stressors/worries into your prayer life? 

   2. Do you believe God can resolve your stress/worry? 

4. In the past, what methods have you used to resolve your stress/worry? 

5. In what environment do you feel less stress/worry or little to no stress/worry? 

6. Are there any lies you believe about God’s Word, your identity in Christ, or God’s promises to you that may be influenced by stress or worry?  

Connected Influences: Anxiety, fear, dread, apprehension, tension, headaches, restlessness, insomnia, forgetfulness. 

Scriptural Truth:  

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (Isaiah 26:3) 

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”(Matthew 6:34) 

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” (John 14:1) 

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) 

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” (James 1:2-3) 

How to Pray for Breakthrough from Stress (Worry):

You may pray aloud, using each step below:

1. REALIZE: "Lord, I confess (negative influence) is an area that limits my walk with You. Would You show me the first time I experienced this?"

   
   

2. RELEASE: "Lord, who I need to forgive for influencing this in my life. I choose to forgive (name of person) for (what they did or failed to do). It made me feel (share your emotions with the Lord). I release them from any debt they owe me and repent for judging them. I choose to bless them."

   1. "Lord, do I need to forgive myself for how I responded to this negative influence?”

   2. "Lord, am I holding onto judgment or unmet expectations of You because of this negative influence?"

      
      

3. REPENT & RENOUNCE: "I repent of partnering with (negative influence). In the name of Jesus Christ, I renounce my agreement with (negative influence). I choose to hand this to You.”

   1. Lord, I also renounce my agreement with (any connected negative influences).

      
      

4. RECEIVE: "Lord, what do You want to give me in exchange for the negative influence I have given You?"

   1. What truth do You want me to walk in, based on Your Word, Your promises to me, and my identity in Christ?" (Write down and give thanks for the truths that you received from the Lord!)

You can break free from every negative influence present in your life! If you want to go deeper into the spiritual and emotional wholeness that God has for you, check out my book, Encountering Abba’s Heart, or use the purchase link below.

Encountering Abba's Heart

^[i] “Apa Dictionary of Psychology,” American Psychological Association, accessed November 15, 2024, https://dictionary.apa.org/stress.