Living Free From Anxiety

Putting an X Through Anxiety

Scripture References

• Psalm 16:8
• Isaiah 25:1

Overview

Louie Giglio described how anxiety is spiking in our culture and told his own story of falling into crippling depression. From the other side of that pit he shared four practical moves—see, set, say, sing—that enable us to put an X through anxiety instead of letting anxiety put an X through us. Each move centers on a Person, not a formula: Jesus, the Good Shepherd whose rod protects and whose staff guides.

Main Points

You’re not crazy, and God will bring you through

• Social-media saturation since 2012 mirrors a massive rise in fear, self-harm, and depression.
• Giglio’s testimony: months house-bound, convinced freedom was impossible, yet now preaching because “God brought me back.”
• Two anchor assurances:
  1. You’re not losing your mind.
  2. God will lead you out.

See Jesus as He is – the Shepherd with a rod and a staff

• Psalm 23 describes a Shepherd who both guides (staff) and defends (rod).
  • Illustration: Broken hockey stick kept by Giglio served as a night-stick against prowlers—picture of the Shepherd’s rod.
• Jesus is not a fragile portrait; He is fierce, mighty, and committed to protect His sheep.

Set the Lord continually before you

• Psalm 16:8: fixing your gaze on Christ changes inner chemistry—“my heart is glad, my tongue rejoices, my flesh rests secure.”
  • Story: Childhood bully blocked his path until Giglio’s dad quietly stepped onto the patio; presence displaced fear.
• Anxiety shrinks when Jesus fills the frame.

Say – verbal confession of trust

• Five-word prayer from Isaiah 25:1: “Lord, You are my God.”
• Feelings may lag, but words of faith start a new internal narrative.

Sing – worship displaces worry

• “God gives songs in the night” (Job allusion).
  • Story: At 2 a.m. in deepest depression, Giglio asked for a song; simple lines became a nightly anthem that poked a hole in the darkness until light flooded back in.
• Worship is the most powerful anti-depressant; praise and anxiety cannot share the same mouth.
• Build a playlist; be the DJ for your soul.

Key Truths

• Anxiety is a symptom; Jesus is the cure.
• The Shepherd’s rod and staff guarantee both guidance and protection.
• Focus is a choice—whatever you set before you grows.
• Spoken faith (“Lord, You are my God”) reshapes thought patterns.
• Worship is warfare; praise ejects panic.

Response

• Fix your eyes on Jesus instead of rehearsing worst-case scenarios.
• Declare aloud, “Lord, You are my God,” whenever fear rises.
• Curate a worship playlist and sing, especially in the night hours.
• Share your struggle with trusted people and seek professional help when needed.
• Remember and recount God’s past faithfulness as evidence He will bring you through.

Closing

Giglio ended by affirming that Jesus is “so much bigger than whatever is taunting us.” Pastor Craig then invited the congregation to cast every anxiety on the Good Shepherd whose goodness and mercy follow us. Hands were lifted, and many surrendered to Christ, trusting His rod, His staff, and His steadfast presence.

Prayer

Pastor Craig led a corporate prayer, thanking God for His faithfulness and asking Him to lift every weight of fear. He entrusted financial worries, health issues, relationships, and ongoing anxiety to the Lord, asked for wisdom to seek proper counsel, and declared Jesus as the community’s Shepherd, Healer, and Peace-giver.

Resources

• Louie Giglio, “Putting an X Through Anxiety”
• Louie Giglio, “Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table”