When was the last time you felt overcome with anxiety? Were you worried about your job? Was a family member sick? Was it a legit anxiety attack? No matter what it was, you can know that you’re not alone. Many of your brothers and sisters in Christ struggle with mental health and anxiety, including a Life 90.5 artist who shares his challenges in his latest song. Josh Wilson’s “Things That I’m Afraid Of” has resonated with many of our listeners, and maybe it can help you too. First, let’s see what Josh had to say about the song. Then we’ll explore some passages of Scripture to remember in fearful moments. Finally, you can hear the song and let us know what you think!
JOSH WILSON’S COMMENTS ON “THINGS THAT I’M AFRAID OF”
Artist Josh Wilson has been quite open about his battles with fear and anxiety. Here’s what he had to say about “Things That I’m Afraid Of:”
These last two years have been very difficult for so many of us. I used to think that being a Christian meant that life should be easy, but Jesus himself said, “In this world, you will have troubles.” Sounds pretty discouraging until you read the next part, where he says “but take heart, for I have overcome this world” (John 16:33).
Life isn't easy for anyone. We're all fighting a hard battle. If you're facing addiction, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or any other mental health struggle, you're not alone. Whatever you're going through, whatever you're struggling with, Jesus promises he will never leave or forsake you.
Here's my favorite line in the song:
There's no place where my demons can't find me
But just wait til they see who's standing behind me.
Our troubles are big. Our God is bigger.
TRUTHS FROM SCRIPTURE TO REMEMBER
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.
The song pulls directly from this verse in “Things That I’m Afraid Of.” One of the most widely known passages in the Bible, Psalm 23, is all about peace in the middle of the chaos. If anyone had a reason to fear, it was the psalm’s writer, King David. He had no shortage of enemies who sought his demise and that of the nation of Israel. In other chapters in Psalms, we can clearly see David’s internal battle between living in fear and trusting in the Lord. However, in this passage, we find a calmer David because he recalls a simple truth – God is with him.
Friend, God is with you too. If that single passage wasn’t enough to convince you, here’s a few more:
And behold, I am always with you, to the end of the age.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
It’s painfully true that life can be scary. But that doesn’t mean we must live scared. If we’re regularly reminding ourselves through memorized scripture and encouraging songs like “Things That I’m Afraid Of,” we can have that same peace and calm that David did. When we know in our hearts and minds that God is with us, we see that the difficulties awaiting us are powerless in His presence.
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
LISTEN TO “THINGS THAT I’M AFRAID OF”
Take a listen to the latest from Josh Wilson, then tell us what you think of the song in the comments!
1 thought on “Josh Wilson Battles Anxiety With “Things That I’m Afraid Of””
Ross King wrote the song and Josh Wilson shares an amazing testimony about the 1st time he heard it on Josh’s FB page on March 5. It’s the 1st time Josh recorded a song that he didn’t write. Love the song, the story and how God is using it.