Dealing with Anxiety

It seemed like every time Lauren got over one worry, another one quickly came to rest on her shoulders. She felt weighed down with fear. Some nights, she could hardly sleep because of it. And, some mornings, she didn’t want to get up to face them.

It was a constant struggle, but Lauren knew what it was: anxiety. She was a Christian and she knew she could trust God, but as much a she told herself that, it wasn’t always an instant fix.

“You just need to give your worries to God,†her friends would tell her.

“You shouldn’t be so down. You’re a Christian.â€

“God tells us not to be anxious about anything.â€

Lauren knew all of this, but it was a daily struggle. So, she and her parents made an appointment for her with a Christian counselor.

On the day of her first appointment, a friend tried to brush Lauren’s anxiety off as not relying on God.

Lauren talked about it with her counselor. “I trust God. I love God. But every day I still feel anxiety. Every day I look to God for strength to get through it. Every day I have to learn to trust Him all over again. Does that mean I’m not a Christian?â€

“It doesn’t mean you’re not a Christian,†her counselor said. “You trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and He has you. Anxiety doesn’t change that.â€

Her counselor continued. “We live in a broken world, and one way that shows up is through clinical anxiety, which is different from willfully worrying. Some people deal with clinical anxiety their whole lives. It’s a mental health issue. In the meantime, remember Jesus is always with you. When you’re feeling anxious, you can always come to Him, and you can always reach out for help from the people He has placed in your life.â€

Lauren nodded. She really appreciated the support she received from her counselor, as well as her parents and her pastor.

“One last thing,†her counselor said. “Your anxiety isn’t the end of the story. As Christians, we look forward to the day when Jesus makes all things new. Clinical anxiety won’t be a part of that picture. Until then, know Jesus is with you every second of the day. Rest in who He is and what He has done and is doing in you. He loves you and empowers you by His Holy Spirit.â€

Lauren nodded. She would continue to rely on God—and the people He had placed in her life—for strength and peace, knowing she was never alone. • Bethany Acker

• Do you struggle with anxiety? What helps you rest in God’s strength?

• Anxiety is a complicated and often lifelong issue that sometimes requires counseling, medication, or other treatment. If you’re struggling with anxiety, who are people in your life you can reach out to?

• Read Matthew 28:20, Romans 15:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, and Revelation 21:1-5. As Christians, what promises from these verses can we rest in?

• If you need someone to talk to, you can set up an appointment for a one-time complimentary phone consultation with a Christian counselor through the Focus on the Family Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 (CSB)

Read Verses:

Philippians 4:6-7