I hate anxiety. And I hate what it’s done to a number of
people I know. It’s the reason why some aren’t able to function properly. It
robs many of their peace and can ruin lives in disruptive ways. Anxiety
literally traps people in isolating prisons of pain, panic, and fear that quite
frankly, makes me angry. Anxiety is something that’s become so common that people accept it as a diagnosis. I can’t accept
that.
When people reach out to me about their struggles
with anxiety, I listen, carefully try to walk them through why they’re feeling it
and immediately go into a posture of prayer. It’s hard, but I know what it’s
like. Some of my most memorable anxiety struggles?
Financial strain. Growing up, I didn’t learn great
money habits. I saw how money was mishandled and how poor financial choices
affected my family, negatively. Because of that, I used to worry about not have
enough. Financial struggles were a
trigger for me, and as an adult I made a choice to know better and do better,
and make responsible choices with handling money.
Family. I have some family members who’ve been
verbally abusive, controlling, and intimidating. There were things said and
done to me that were scarring and haunted me as an adult. Whenever I’d see
certain family members at gatherings or be within distance of them, they’d
trigger painful memories that would shoot my anxiety levels high.
As a teenager I’d panic whenever I’d hear fire truck
sirens go off when my parents were out, and think they were involved in a car
crash, when they were perfectly safe and fine.
As a kid I once noticed a swollen bump on my hand,
and was worried I had a growing tumor. My mom had to calm me down. I must’ve
sounded ridiculous.
During a past season at an old job, I was scared of
meetings. I always thought meetings meant trouble and that I was getting ready
to be fired. Getting fired would mean no income, which meant, financial
struggle. And that kind of anxiety definitely impacted me in harmful ways.
I’ve met people who seemed perfectly normal on the surface, and struggled with
anxieties you’d never know about. And I’m one of them. I know what it’s like to
be scared, hurt, and have anxiety with things that are painful to talk about. Anxiety
is fear about something that hasn’t happened yet. So, why worry and live in
fear? Be present and trust that no
matter what lies ahead, God’s got you covered. Whenever I feel a spirit of anxiety
trying to creep in, I know it’s not from God, so I rebuke it, demand calmness
in my spirit and surrender my feelings to the Lord. Once I calm down, I’m in a
state of peace and ease that’s untouchable.
I have too much living to do to be prisoner to any
anxieties. Truthfully, there’ll always be things that happen that may try to
trigger anxiety, but the key, is understanding that the only thing you can
control is your response to those triggers. Three tips to help with dealing
with anxiety?
1) Pray and surrender. Give all of what you’re
feeling to the Lord. He can carry it better than you think you can. Anxiety, fear, and worry show a lack of faith and
trust in God. Remember, God’s got you.
2) Read, Battlefield
of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. If you struggle with anxieties, this is a great
resource to check out. It’s served me very well.
3) Seek professional help. If needed, go to
counseling. I once went through a rough season of struggling with anxiety, and
when I went to counseling my counselor talked with me about mindfulness and
taught me ways to deal with anxiety. It took a long time to work through my
issues and I’m happy to report, day by day, I experienced deliverance and an
understanding that I can’t control everything that happens. Instead, I can choose
to trust God completely, no matter what. And journaling is great, too. Writing what you feel
can be very relieving.
If you struggle with anxiety, I hope you find these
tips helpful. I’m happy to cover you in prayer.