Hello Trent, when "constant worrying, anxiety" afflicts one, this may well be more than simply internal problems. As in some OCD cases, and other spiritual / psychic phenomena, have you considered the possibility of subtle spiritual attacks?
Ephesians 6:16-17 KJV says, "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the
fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" [emphasis added]
We can be mentally and/or emotionally afflicted by thoughts and feelings projected into us. A simple example of this is having the tune of a hymn constantly repeating in one's mind that one cannot stop. Or it can be feelings of shame or self-doubt likewise projected into us that we think are our own thoughts or feelings.
We, as Christians, are given resources so that we may be able to discern such intrusions, and to resist them, these fiery darts of lies and projected feelings.
A spiritually healthy, ordinary believer ought to have a clean and confident heart in God's presence, and not be crippled by these nefarious intrusions designed to weaken us. We are none of us perfect, hindered by deeply flawed hearts, and yet even in such infirmities we have the help of our Saviour, as it is written, He saying to Paul,
"My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness." [And Paul says,] "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Cor 12:9-10 KJV)
You are clothed in the spotless robe of Christ and His righteousness, flawless in the eyes of God who has imputed His righteousness to you. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). It is a warfare we are in, and we are given to discern and control what is truly of our minds and feelings, and what is projected into us
disguised as our own thoughts and emotions.
When something not of God is actually something from my own heart, I seek Him to enable me to put it off, mortify it as part of my unwanted old nature. But when it is profoundly negative ideation, self-accusation, self-deprecation that is against the reality of the new creature He has made / is making me into, I take the shield of faith and sword of the Spirit and powerfully resist it.
Here are some of the experiences and tactics of the saints, from an earlier thread, Can Satan Put Thoughts In Your Head? :
Quotes on Satan as accuser and tempter directly afflicting the saints
Charles Hodge,
Commentary on the Epistle to the Ephesians; on 4:27, p 270 or <
http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/charleshodge/hodge_ephesians.html#chap4sect2>
Neither give place to the devil.—"
So give place to" is to get out of the way of, to allow free scope to; and therefore to give an occasion or advantage to any one. We are neither to cherish anger, nor are we to allow Satan to take advantage of our being angry. Anger when cherished gives the Tempter great power over us...
I'll be praying for you in this.
