From Anxiety to Living in Wholeness and Peace

Jesus promised his people lives that are ‘full’ (John 10: 10) and that are marked by the fruit of the Holy Spirit. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5: 22-23, NIV) The life we want and need is the life that God, through Jesus Christ, provides His people who live by the power of the Spirit. Though not always free of anxiety, it is one of life and peace.

This is God’s promise – a life of peace and abundance for believers. However, many factors threaten to steal that joy, from some of our own habits that we find hard to break, to the reality of the brokenness of our world. Even our own bodies and minds can sometimes feel like they are working against us.

We sometimes find that as much as we try to lean into this new life that God wants for us, some areas require deeper understanding and healing. Anxiety is one such challenge that many people face.

There are scores of Bible verses that address anxiety, an indication of how much of a concern it is. It often threatens to steal our joy and peace, and that is why it is good to try and understand what it is and how best to overcome it.

What is anxiety?

It is normal for us to feel anxious every so often over things such as our health, an upcoming exam or job interview, a presentation or speech that you need to make, when you’re dealing with a serious issue in your life, worries about money, or when you have an important decision to make. It is a form of fear or apprehension about what lies ahead.

Our bodies were made to function in a certain way so that we can be safe from danger of various kinds. Anxiety is just how our bodies react to experiencing stressful and potentially harmful situations. When we are afraid, our body activates our fight-or-flight response, which can help us in the short term to deal with the situation.

If we experience it occasionally, and it lasts for brief periods of time, it can be beneficial because it provides energy and sharpens your focus. It can help you avoid danger, like when you feel concerned about taking a shortcut through an alley so you backtrack and stick to the main road.

The problem with excessive anxiety is when it begins to interfere with your life. It can hinder you or make simple life experiences an odyssey. When it becomes excessive, it is considered a type of mental health disorder. A person who has an anxiety disorder will frequently find themselves having excessive, intense, and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations such as getting on the bus, leaving their house, touching certain things, or being around people.

With many such disorders, a person may experience repeated episodes where they suddenly feel intense worry and fear or terror that peaks in minutes. Those are called panic attacks. While anxiety can be addressed through therapy and a few self-help methods, anxiety disorders, on the other hand, require psychotherapy, medication, or both.

Signs of Anxiety

Rapid heartbeat, sweaty palms, butterflies in your stomach, breathing rapidly are but a few of the symptoms of anxiety. You may also become nervous, restless, or tense. Difficulty concentrating on moving past your present worry might also impair you. Deep feelings of dread, doom, or danger may leave you trembling or even having physical symptoms like dry mouth, constipation, gas, nausea, or diarrhea.

You may find yourself having the urge to avoid things that trigger your anxiety (people, places, objects). At times you can even become short of breath, feel fatigue, or weakness. Your difficulty controlling your worry and ruminating mind may leave you wide awake and unable to sleep.

What will often differentiate one anxiety disorder from another is what triggers tit. Some of the more common types include:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (which includes persistent and excessive anxiety and worry about activities or events).
• Agoraphobia (fear of certain places or situations).
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (intrusive and unwanted thoughts that cause anxiety).
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
• Selective mutism (inability to talk in certain situations or places).
• Phobias, such as claustrophobia (fear of small places) and arachnophobia (fear of spiders).
• Social Anxiety Disorder (fear and avoidance of social situations).
• Separation Anxiety Disorder (childhood disorder characterized by excessive anxiety over being separated from parents or caregivers) .
• Substance-induced anxiety disorder (anxiety or panic that is a direct result of misusing drugs, taking medications, being exposed to a toxic substance or withdrawal from drugs).

The Causes of Anxiety

While the causes of anxiety and anxiety disorders aren’t fully understood, researchers have identified several possibilities. It may be caused by one’s genetics, brain chemistry, environmental stress, and even certain medications. Even drug withdrawal or misuse can cause it.

Likewise, medical problems such diabetes and heart, respiratory, and thyroid conditions can trigger anxiety. Some rare tumors may produce fight-or-flight hormones. The symptoms of anxiety can be aggravated by taking caffeine or other substances such as alcohol and recreational drugs.

Each type of anxiety disorder will carry different risk factors, but some general risk factors include:

• Exposure to stressful and negative life or environmental events such as childhood sexual abuse, losing a parent in early childhood, or living through a traumatic event
• Experiencing shyness or feeling distressed or nervous in new situations during childhood
• Having a chronic health condition or experiencing a severe illness
• A history of anxiety or other mental disorders among your biological relatives
• Substance abuse

Getting Treatment

Sometimes, anxiety just goes away once the situation you were dreading arrives and passes. To help reduce it, you can implement a few at-home tips that can help you. These include getting exercise and sticking to a healthy diet. Trying relaxation and stress management techniques also goes a long way. Avoiding alcohol smoking, and recreational drugs. Even avoiding or reducing your consumption of caffeinated drinks can help.

Sleep is essential, as is seeking support through your social networks. Keeping a journal and reflecting often will make an impact on your well-being and help reduce anxiety.

However, when it lingers and begins interfering with your work or relationships, it’s time to get help. When it becomes difficult to control, or you suspect it may be linked to a physical health problem, seek out a counselor. If you are having suicidal thoughts or behaviors, you should seek treatment immediately.

If your doctor says that you need it, therapy can be a huge help. Therapy for anxiety and related disorders includes the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). These help a person to develop different ways of thinking and reacting to situations that trigger their anxiety.

It may also be necessary to make use of medication. Medication does not cure anxiety disorders, but it can help to relieve the symptoms. The medications must be prescribed by a psychiatrist, though some states also allow psychologists with specialized training to prescribe psychiatric medications.

The most common types of medications that are used to address anxiety disorders are antidepressants, beta-blockers, and anti-anxiety medications (such as benzodiazepines).

Finding Wholeness and Peace Through Christian Counseling

Anxiety has many physical and mental components to it. Both elements need to be addressed to bring anxiety under control. It’s also true that anxiety often also has a spiritual component, in that our fears about the future and feelings of uncertainty and insecurity stem from misunderstood, misapplied, or slightly incoherent views about God, ourselves, and the world.

Jesus reminded his followers, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV) Trouble will come, but Jesus provides us with the strength and resources to face them because he has already overcome the world.

Your anxiety can be managed and addressed. Christian counseling makes use of the therapeutic techniques and approaches highlighted above, but it also takes seriously what God holds for us, including his promises for joy and peace in him. Your counselor will work with you toward a deeper understanding of who God is, who you are, and how best to use the resources God provides his people with.

Sometimes we simply aren’t aware of all that God has in store for us, or we don’t use what we have fully and wisely. Through Christian counseling for anxiety, your counselor will provide you a space to explore the possible roots of your anxiety. They will help you make good use of the resources of prayer and scripture to learn how to cope with anxiety, as well as understand and deal with the triggers of anxiety in your life.

If you are ready for this help, reach out to our office today. We will schedule an appointment for you with one of the skilled counselors in our practice. They will help you tame anxiety and live a fuller, freer life.