Most of us feel stress, worry or anxiety at some point or another. Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life.
However, sometimes anxiety can become an everyday, chronic occurrence for people. These bouts of anxiety are more than just worry or nerves.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “These feelings of anxiety and panic interfere with daily activities, are difficult to control, are out of proportion to the actual danger and can last a long time.”
Anxiety can manifest in various forms, including:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Persistent and excessive worry about a variety of things, such as health, work, social interactions, or daily life events.
- Panic Disorder: Experiencing sudden, intense episodes of fear or discomfort, often accompanied by physical symptoms like heart palpitations, shortness of breath, or dizziness.
- Social Anxiety Disorder: Intense fear or anxiety in social situations, leading to avoidance of activities like public speaking, meeting new people, or even eating in public.
- Specific Phobias: Irrational fears of specific objects or situations, such as heights, flying, or certain animals.
Each of these forms of anxiety can affect people differently, and the symptoms can range from mild to severe.
What causes this anxiety?
As with many mental health issues, symptoms can begin as early as childhood and teenage years and progress as we go into adulthood.
Life experiences might cause anxiety disorders, and they might also be caused by genetic factors or inherited traits. Other medical conditions or issues can cause anxiety and anxiety disorders as well.
There’s no one answer as to why some people experience anxiety. It can be a conglomerate of factors that cause chronic anxiety and related conditions.
What can we do about anxiety?
There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding anxiety, especially in the church and Christian circles. Some people claim Christians shouldn’t experience anxiety, but these myths simply are not true.
Anxiety is one of the results of living in a fallen and sinful world. Even the “most” faithful person can experience anxiety. Even Jesus experienced anxiety when he was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane (see Luke 22:44).
Anxiety isn’t always a sign of sin or shortcomings, but it is a reality of our earthly lives. So, how can we handle our anxiety well?
As we shared in a previous blog post, there are several things a Christian can do to navigate anxiety in a healthy, faith-centered way:
- Acknowledge Your Feelings: Recognize that anxiety is a legitimate emotion and not something to be ashamed of. Allow yourself to feel what you’re feeling without judgment.
- Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to contact a therapist, counselor, or trusted friend who can provide support and guidance. Therapy can offer valuable tools to manage anxiety and create a safe space to process your emotions.
- Incorporate Prayer and Meditation: Spend time in prayer and meditation, asking God for peace and clarity. Reflect on scriptures that comfort you and remind you of God’s presence.
- Practice Mindfulness: Focus on the present moment rather than worrying about the future. Mindfulness techniques can help ground you and reduce the intensity of anxious thoughts.
- Take Care of Your Body: Physical health plays a significant role in mental well-being. Ensure you get enough rest, eat nutritious foods, and engage in regular physical activity.
- Remember God’s Promises: Hold onto the truth that God is with you, even in your anxious moments. His love and care for you are constant, and He desires you to experience peace.
While we might not be free of anxiety in this life, we can trust God to see us through our anxieties. He is faithful to provide us with the support we need to navigate anxiety, most importantly Himself.
If you or someone you know is navigating anxiety, daily stressors or other obstacles in life, you don’t have to navigate them alone. We a Graceful Balance are here to help you find more peace and freedom in life, and to walk faithfully in God’s plans for your life. If you need more support from a faithful and caring group of physicians, we’d be honored to walk alongside you.
