A church member said to me recently, “I don't think I'll ever be able to retire with the stock market being down as it is now.” This church member felt anxious, and that is the way many Americans feel today — anxious, worried, uncertain. In fact, anxiety might have become America's real national pastime.

People worry about the economy and their job security. They feel anxious about the staggering $14 trillion national debt. They worry the American dream of owning a home and retiring with financial security is no longer within their grasp. They feel the anxiety of rising food prices, the soaring costs of college tuition, or their inability to deal with mortgages that are more than their home is worth.

Even Herman Cain, a 2012 Republican presidential candidate said recently, “American people are anxious for solutions.” I came across a Web posting the other day titled “America's Anxious Middle” which detailed some of the anxieties facing middle-class Americans who worry about a declining standard of living. A recent article in Time magazine was titled “Encountering Anguish and Anxiety in America.”

Would you admit that you are feeling more anxious than usual right now? Have you been losing sleep lately? Are you feeling overwhelmed by your own difficulties and the stress in your life? What should we do when we feel anxious and worried?

First, pray about life's worries. The Psalmist said, “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4). Did you know that worry is actually simple fears taken to the extreme? Prayer helps calm anxious fear.

Second, take needed actions. As you pray about your worries, God will guide you. Perhaps you could reduce some anxiety in your life by eliminating your debt. Or maybe you could calm your fears by obtaining some job skills that would make you more marketable. Rather than worry whether you will have money for your child to go to college, start a college savings plan (often referred to as a 529). Worrying does not solve problems.

Third, keep things in perspective. Make a list of all the things you are worried about and then evaluate how much those things really affect your life. Are you worrying about important things or merely side issues? Will what you are worrying about matter five years from now?

Fourth, control your thoughts. What we put into our minds determines what comes out in our words and actions. If we fill our minds with thoughts that the worst is on its way, we will cripple ourselves with anxiety. If we fill our minds with the belief that we will always have it hard and never get any breaks, we will live with a victim's mentality. The Bible teaches us to fill our minds with thoughts that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise (see Philippians 4:8).

Fifth, connect with people. When we allow ourselves to become anxious and uncertain, we tend to isolate ourselves from other people. All we can think about is ourselves and our problems. This is a huge mistake. When we are with other people we feel more positive about life. Friends are part of our support system for dealing with life's difficulties.

Through the years when Linda and I have felt anxious about our needs, we have believed the Bible promise of Philippians 4:19: “My God will supply all your needs.” God really is our ultimate source of supply. Knowing this truth helps us feel less anxious.