Anxiety
Whew! It’s a real thing.
For me, it squeezed in particularly at night, and there was nothing I could do about it except cling to promises in Scripture and beg God to PLEASE take it away!
What’s a Christian to do when you “know” all the right answers? You know what the Bible says about fear, and trust…and you DO trust. It’s not like you’ve lost all of your faith in God. But that anxiety…BOOM…all of a sudden it’s there again.
Two words in this verse above had special meaning to me.
WITH THANKSGIVING.
Our minds are amazing things. They can work up perceived realities that can cause REAL, severe stress on our bodies.
When we are so focused on the anxiety that’s crowding in with no warning, that fast beating heart, the body shivering uncontrollably, the pain in the chest, the quick run to the restroom, it’s really REALLY hard to think about anything else.
(I think it’s interesting that just a verse later he switches from casting all of cares on Him to what our minds should be thinking on. IT’S BECAUSE IT’S ALL RELATED.)
After being convicted during this season about my thankfulness level and how it could be related to my anxiety, I determined to write down things I was thankful for each evening when the battle would start.
It did help…a little bit.
But that was not the final lesson I was to learn.
I was sharing all of the above with a dear friend from church. She is currently in a battle with cancer and has been such an example of fortitude and faith. Her attitude through this whole trial of hers has been so convicting.
I love her. She says what she means and means what she says. No beating around the bush.
You know what she told me?
“Well, when you start thanking the Lord for the anxiety, you’ll see that you’ll start gaining some ground.”
Whew!
How’s that for some iron sharpening iron?!
I stood there stupidly with no words. “Uh…ok. Thankful for the anxiety? Where do I even start. I feel absolutely no thankfulness.”
It’s easy to breathe “thank you Lord” on the daily for all the good things…the blessings, the “good gifts.”
But to make a habit of thanking Him for the uncomfortable things?
Impossible.
Thank you, Lord, for the anxiety.
Thank you for the depression.
Thank you for the naughty children.
Thank you, Lord, for the clunky car.
And for the cancer.
Thank you for the unfair husband.
Thank you for the death of a family member.
No. I can’t possibly do that. It’s too hard.
That’s right. It’s certainly not something we can do on our own. It’s something that Christ does in us, and it’s hard to even wrap our minds around because it’s just so completely opposite of what is natural for us.
But I also know that gratefulness—thankfulness in ALL THINGS like the Bible says—completely changes
your way of living.
It changes your attitude…
Your spirit…
Your whole outlook on life.
And somehow, over time, it draws you out of the most dark, debilitating state of mind and allows the light to shine in again!
Joy creeps back in.
Most GLADLY therefore will I rather GLORY IN MY INFIRMITIES, that the power of Christ may rest upon
me.
THE POWER OF CHRIST!
What a promise!
PS: Our minds can get sick, just like our bodies. It’s important to do the maintenance work of keeping them healthy by taking care of bodies, exercise and filling our minds with God’s Word. But even then, chemical imbalances, hormones, other sicknesses…they can all cause anxiety and depression.
I think as Christians, we beat ourselves up for feeling this way, we’re embarrassed, we’re frustrated and we’re scared that if we do reach out to someone, they will tell us the same things we’re already telling ourselves. No, we have to fight this one alone. Not true.
Anxiety and depression is not a new thing among Christians. Elijah dealt with it, David dealt with it. Charles Spurgeon. I have pastor and pastor’s wife friends who have dealt with it. All spiritual giants right? But the good news is, they have all come out of it!
There is hope! Don’t be afraid to get yourself some help and talk about it with someone who understands what you are going through.
Book Recommedations
I know sometimes it can be difficult to concentrate on anything in the grips of anxiety and depression, but if you have some brain space and can handle a read, you may find these recommendations helpful.
Walking on Water When You Feel Like You’re Drowning by Tommy Nelson and Steve Leavitt. This was one I actually got all the way through. It is always nice to hear from someone who has “been there.” Tommy and Steve both share their story and give practical advice for getting through.
Why Am I so Depressed by Debi Pryde. Debi Pryde is a wonderful author and speaker. She is a trained Christian Counsellor, and has a whole entire course called Women Counseling Women that is very good for any ladies who find themselves in ministry. I love her Bible studies, so anything by her, I am happy to recommend. I didn’t get all the way through this one, but what I did read was very helpful.
Refresh by Shona and David Murray. This book was recommended to me by a Pastor’s wife friend who went through depression herself not too long before I did. I wasn’t “in the mood” for this book at the time, so I just got a short way through it. It’s definitely on my list to come back to when I’m ready.
Quieting a Noisy Soul by Jim Berg. When I was chatting about these books on Instagram, this is a recommendation that kept coming up from several people. It is actually a whole program with a book and DVD’s. It’s a little pricey, but definitely worth doing from what I hear from my friends. It’s on my list. If anything, I’m at least going to try and get the book.
