How To Seek God In Anxiety
Anxiety has become a buzzword in society. Everywhere we look we see people openly admitting that they have anxiety, followed by their recommendations on how to alleviate it. It’s almost becoming a normal thing to have some sort of mental illness and declare it across social media. Let’s not forget the jokes suggesting things like needing a Xanax to calm down from a day.
Anxiety is a mental illness that many of us — for various reasons — suffer from on a plethora of different levels. As someone who has had personal experience with anxiety, it’s not easy. Diving into understanding my anxiety, I sought therapy. Therapy can be quite helpful: another human trained to treat the brain and heart of another. While therapy and medication exist to help bring some sort of normalcy to the individual dealing with anxiety, there is always the Source of Life.
Sitting in the therapists’ office, I looked over at my phone and the Bible verse of the day came up. I glanced down at it and thought I was seeing things, but it said,
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
That was the last time I saw my therapist. Now I’m not saying my anxiety went away overnight, but I remembered that my God is greater than my problems. He’s greater than the overwhelming feeling that can get away from you. God grants us the ability to have direct access to speak with Him. No one else needs to translate the words of our hearts.
For me it was honestly hard to truly trust that He was going to replace my anxiety with the goodness He has in store. I wasn’t sure if it had to do with the fact that I couldn’t see Him literally trying to console me or because I didn’t fully believe and trust that He would fulfill His promise. The afterthought? It all comes down to choice and choosing to believe that we can take Him at His word. But how do we do that?
Let that thing go.
Whatever or whoever it is, the thing that’s causing the anxiety, say your prayer and release it.
Give it to God.
Seriously. Don’t keep worrying about it after you’ve prayed the prayer of release.
Memorize Scripture.
Pick a verse to read aloud every day or even write on a post-it by your mirror, whatever helps you see it consistently. Personally, I love Psalm 94:19: “When anxiety was great within me your consolation brought me joy.”
Remind yourself that He created you!
He made you with intention and He truly wants the best for you.
Start allowing Him to work.
Often times, our anxiety comes from the need for control. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Believe it. Own it. Live it.
How do you cope with anxiety? Have you prayed about it and released it to God?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi! My name is Giana V. I’m a wife, a mama, and a high education professional. I live in sunny Southern California just outside of Los Angeles. I have a passion for holistic health, writing, and learning how I can live my best and healthiest life filled with love and joy while helping others do the same.