Struggling with anxiety can suck the life right out of you. You want nothing more than to feel like the Christian woman you once were. The one who didn’t worry about every little thing. And, for a while, things start looking up. Then the anxiety comes back again, overtaking you like a tidal wave. When it comes to Christian women and anxiety, another layer is added to the struggle because there is a spiritual element that exists in the midst of the pain. There is a deep and piercing ache that comes with being a believer who happens to struggle with anxiety. You constantly feel judged by your fellow Christians who tell you that “you’ll be fine” and that you should just “pray away” your anxiety. You feel like a bad Christian and like you’re failing God. You’re embarrassed that you can’t seem to overcome your anxious thoughts with your faith. And this feeling only adds to your stinging sorrow.
Christian Women and Anxiety: You Are Not Alone
Sweet friend, if you are struggling with anxiety right now I want you to know that you’re not alone. Anxiety has a way of making us feel like we are the only one on the planet who is consumed with worry and fear. But this just isn’t true. The problem is that too many women stuff their anxious thoughts deep down inside their souls and put on a happy face. I mean, that’s what Christians are supposed to do, right? We’re supposed to “turn our frown upside down” and walk around like we’re “too blessed to be stressed.” But what happens when we can’t bring ourselves to smile? What happens when we are stressed and anxious? Do we ignore our feelings and push through even though we feel like we’re dying inside? Or do we let the not-so-pretty parts of our lives show?
When it comes to Christian women and anxiety, the woman writing this article knows how you feel because I am a Christian woman and I used to struggle with debilitating anxiety. It completely consumed my life and my thoughts, dictated where I went, how I spent my time, and pretty much every aspect of my being. I was miserable. I’d lay awake at night envisioning terrible scenarios and I saw danger in every situation. It seemed like I was always on the brink of an emotional breakdown. Everything had me in tears. And the part that made me feel like I was truly losing my mind was the fact that my life was great. Nothing was wrong. So why in the world did I feel like I was falling apart?
Related: Mom Struggling With Anxiety: Hope For Christians With Mom Anxiety
When You’re a Believer With Anxiety
I touched on it a minute ago, but let’s talk about having anxiety and being a believer. I’m sure you’ve experienced it. Some of your well-meaning Christian friends who have never struggled with anxiety try to “fix” you. They offer up their best attempt to “get you over” your anxiety. They may tell you that it’s “all in your head” or that “you just need to calm down.” Some women who struggle with overwhelming worry and fear have told me that they’ve been told that their faith is weak and they aren’t trusting God enough. The truth is that these people just don’t understand what you’re going through or the heavy weight of their comments. Their words are like adding salt to a gaping wound because they make you feel like you’re failing as a believer. What’s more, these offhand comments can cause you to feel like you just don’t have what it takes to overcome your anxiety with your faith.
The truth is, Christian women with anxiety don’t have what it takes to overcome your anxiety. That’s because we need our Creator to help us break the chains that bind us. We need His strength and power to rise above it. It is so important that we rely on the God of the Universe to heal us physically, spiritually, and emotionally. If you’re anything like me, trying to heal myself in my own power actually caused me to experience more anxiety. It’s a vicious cycle. I experienced much healing when I learned to surrender my solutions to my anxiety problem in favor of God’s.
How I Overcame My Anxiety
Overcoming anxiety isn’t an easy road, and I’m sure that’s not news to you. My journey to gaining control over my anxious mind came in phases. That’s simply because I put one foot in front of the other. I discovered, step by step, what strategies worked to heal me and which ones didn’t. The first, and arguably, most important step that I took was surrender my will to my Heavenly Father. After receiving prescription after prescription from doctor after doctor, I knew deep down that the risk of scary side effects were not for me. I believed there had to be a better way. And after many months of research and prayer I finally found the method that allowed me to break free from anxiety. But it all started with a step of faith and trusting that God would lead me to the solutions that I so desperately needed.
Related: Christian Anxiety, Fear, and Worry: My Health Journey
I learned how to eat foods that fueled my body and avoid ones that fueled my anxiety. Specific strategies to rest physically and emotionally became my new normal. I discovered certain vitamins and supplements that helped to alleviate my anxious feelings. Do I ever experience anxiety today? Every now and them. And when anxiety does creep up on me I know exactly how to handle it. You see, overcoming anxiety doesn’t mean that you’ll never feel anxious again. It means that you are armed with the tools you need to take it down when it strikes.
Christian Women With Anxiety, Here’s What I Want You to Know
I truly believe that our health is like one big puzzle. One pill or exercise isn’t going to fix our problems. We have to search out the missing puzzle pieces and put them together in order to create our ultimate solution. I am so thankful that God, piece by piece, arranged the pieces of my health puzzle into a beautiful masterpiece. A masterpiece that is constantly changing and evolving to fit my needs. Does your anxiety feel like it’s beyond your control? Do you worry that your anxiety will never go away? Are anxious thoughts, worry, and fear paralyzing you from moving forward in your life? I want you to know something: The King of the World loves you, anxious mess and all. Right now, right this minute. What’s more, He loves you too much to leave you that way. He wants you to trade in your fear and worry for peace and victory.
So take that first step, sweet friend. Unload your anxiety on Him because it’s not yours to carry. Once you’ve lightened your load ask Him to direct your steps. You will be amazed by how He moves and works in your life. The time is now. You’ve suffered far too long. That woman that you know still lives within you is ready to break out of the prison of anxiety that has held her for so long. I’m over here cheering for you and I can’t wait to see you walk in victory!
Are you so over feelings of panic and anxiety ruining your life? Me too.
