A Biblical Counseling Case Study
The Anatomy of Anxiety:
God’s Prescription for Victory In Anxiety
Robert W. Kellemen, Th.M., Ph.D.
www.rpmministries.org
Presentation Focus
The Big Picture # 1
 Victory Over or Victory In?
The Big Picture # 2
 Take Two Verses and Call Me in the Morning
The Big Picture # 2
 Overcoming fear and anxiety is a relational
discipleship process, not an exhortational event.
 Facing fear and anxiety is a comprehensive
process involving the whole person in their
whole life situation.
The Big Picture # 3
 “Mike”: Pursuing Victory in Anxiety
Case Study Interaction # 1
 How could these introductory concepts and
pictures impact how you relate to and counsel
someone pursuing victory in anxiety?
A Biblical Anatomy of Anxiety:
Thinking Theologically!?
 We need a CFRC Model
Creation: Mood Order—Vigilance
 Vigilance: Called to Sentry Duty
 Gen. 2:15: Take Care Of/Keep
 Vig: Vigil, Vigilance, Vigor
 Warrior or Worrier
Case Study Interaction # 2
 How could the theological category of
“vigilance” impact how you relate to and
counsel someone pursuing victory in anxiety?
Fall: Mood Disorder—Stuck Vigilance
 Failing to Guard the Garden
 Gen. 3:10: Fear and Hiding
 Gen. 3:12, 16: Blame and Maim
The Family Tree of Anxiety
 Vigilance: The Faith Response to Threat
 Anger: The Fight Response to Threat
 Anxiety: The Flight Response to Threat
Case Study Interaction # 3
 How could the theological category of “stuck
vigilance” impact how you relate to and counsel
someone pursuing victory in anxiety?
Redemption: Mood Reorder—
Clinging to God
 Choosing to Sacrifice in the Garden
 When Fear Strikes: “Where does fear drive me?”
 When Anxiety Stalks, Faith Wrestles
Case Study Interaction # 4
 How could the theological category of “clinging
to God” impact how you relate to and counsel
someone pursuing victory in anxiety?
Consummation: Mood Healing—Cure
 Victory Over!
 Peace in the midst and godly living through it all
Case Study Interaction # 5
 How could the theological categories of
“tomorrow’s promise and today’s goal” impact
how you relate to and counsel someone
pursuing victory in anxiety?
Philippians as a Model
Paul’s Purpose
 Philippians 4:1: “Therefore…”
 Philippians 1:27-28
Paul’s Model
 Stand Firm!
 Worthy of the Gospel
Comprehensive Care
Case Study Interaction # 6
 How could the biblical principle of
“comprehensive and compassionate care”
impact how you relate to and counsel someone
pursuing victory in anxiety?
Guard Your Relationship to
God Your Guard
Guard Your Relationship to
God Your Guard
 Renew Your Image of God
 Engage in Worshipful Prayer
Guard Your Relationship to
God Your Guard
 Open Your Palms to God
Case Study Interaction # 7
 How could the biblical principle of “guard your
relationship to God your Guard” impact how you
relate to and counsel someone pursuing victory
in anxiety?
Commit to Mature Relationships
With God’s People
 Live the Truth in Love
 Speak the Truth in Love
Commit to Mature Relationships
With God’s People
 Our GPS of Truth and Love, Scripture and Soul
 Empathy
Commit to Mature Relationships
With God’s People
 Encouragement
Commit to Mature Relationships
With God’s People
 Exposure
 Empowerment
Case Study Interaction # 8
 How could the biblical principle of “commit to
mature relationship with God’s people” impact
how you relate to and counsel someone
pursuing victory in anxiety?
Cling to Your Identity in Christ
 Understand Who You Are In/To Christ
 Stir Up the Gift of God within You
Case Study Interaction # 9
 How could the biblical principle of “cling to your
identity in Christ” impact how you relate to and
counsel someone pursuing victory in anxiety?
Put on the Mind of Christ
 Renew Your Mind
 Put Off Worldly Mindsets
 Put On Christ-Centered Mindsets
Case Study Interaction # 10
 How could the biblical principle of “putting on
the mind of Christ” impact how you relate to and
counsel someone pursuing victory in anxiety?
Practice What You Preach
 Nike!
 Replace Fearful Inaction with Other-Centered
Action
 Maintain a “Can Do” Spirit in Christ
Case Study Interaction # 11
 How could the biblical principle of “practice
what you preach” impact how you relate to and
counsel someone pursuing victory in anxiety?
Soothe Your Soul in Your Savior
Case Study Interaction # 12
 How could the biblical principle of “soothe your
soul in your Savior” impact how you relate to
and counsel someone pursuing victory in
anxiety?
Live Wisely in a Fallen World
Commencement:
Keep Clinging to Christ!
Comprehensive Compassionate Care:
Philippians 4—A Running Commentary
 Imagine…If this one verse in one chapter in
one book has this much profound wisdom for
victory in anxiety…how sufficient the entire
Bible is for a comprehensive approach to
victory in anxiety!
The Big Question: So What?
 Related to victory in anxiety, what will you do
differently in your life and ministry as a result
of our biblical study together?
Resources for Your Life and Ministry
A Biblical Counseling Case Study
The Anatomy of Anxiety:
God’s Prescription for Victory In Anxiety
Robert W. Kellemen, Th.M., Ph.D.
www.rpmministries.org