Anxiety is one of the most common struggles we face, and there is comfort in knowing you are not alone in this experience. While everyone encounters worry to some degree, many individuals face intense, chronic anxiety that requires a thoughtful, multifaceted approach to find lasting relief.
There is rarely a single, quick solution to overcoming these feelings. While faith is a vital component of healing, God does not promise to remove every struggle instantly; instead, He provides profound biblical wisdom through His Word. For those seeking the peace of God amid anxiety, Scripture offers a reliable foundation for spiritual guidance.
It is important to recognize that anxiety is not solely an emotional or spiritual issue. Because we are created as both physical and spiritual beings, a medical checkup is a necessary first step to rule out underlying conditions like hyperthyroidism, which can manifest as physical nervousness. Once health factors are addressed, leaders can better focus on emotional resilience; for instance, those in leadership can benefit from practical strategies for ministry stress to maintain their well-being.
We are also spiritual beings and both interact, the physical and spiritual component. And how are you taking care of your soul is probably the big part that I want to focus on now.
1. Anxieties Can Reveal What’s Important To Us.
There are three big truths that I’d like to share. The first one is, anxieties can reveal what’s important to us. So for instance, usually when I am anxious about something, that object or that goal means a lot to me. In fact, so much so that I dwell on it a lot. Then my body starts reacting differently and I don’t sleep well, I lose my appetite perhaps. Those are symptoms that I really want this object, this goal, to happen.
So take time out, take a step back to think about what is it that I’m wanting so much pertaining to this anxiety?
2. Anxieties Can Reveal Who’s in Control of Our Lives.
The second is anxiety can reveal who’s in control of our lives. In other words, it’s either going to be God or us. We don’t need to be the god of our own lives, but as human beings that can happen when we’re wanting something to happen so much. Ask yourself, are you trying to be overly in control of this?
Perfectionism can come into play here. I think of Matthew 8 where it talks about the disciples in the boat and they became fearful with the waves. And it’s amazing how Jesus said to them, “Oh you of little faith.” Just a simple reminder that we need to keep our focus on Christ and not the circumstances around us.
3. Anxieties Can Reveal Who Are We Trying to Please.
The last one is, who are we trying to please in life? And this is either going to be man—meaning a person—or God.
Recently I’ve seen this trend with teenagers where they’re developing migraines and there’s also perfectionism, lots of fear, this desire for control. And when I talk to their parents they’re not explicitly telling their child, “You need to have a 4.0. You need to make varsity sport of something.” But somehow that child or that teenager is interpreting their parents’ expectations that way.
So it might be helpful if you’re a parent to have that conversation, even if you think that you’re not saying or verbalizing high expectations. Where is there a miscommunication between your expectations and how does your expectation compare to God’s expectation?
I say this often in my classes that God’s will for us is not be perfect, but to be faithful. And I think that can go a long way in thinking about anxiety.
This article originally appeared on LifeWayVoices.com and is reposted here by permission.