Okay, so I just found out that this part of the website was here, and that's why I am just now posting this.
A little history: In the past I have struggled with intense anxiety. If you're reading this, you probably already know what it's like, but I'll describe it a little anway. When I was anxious, it would start small and then escalate to the point where I felt like I was going insane. I was often truly afraid that I was losing my mind and that I would end up in a mental institute. It was extremely difficult to fall asleep, and when I finally did, I would wake up at all hours of the night. If I woke up past 5:00 (and sometimes earlier), there was no way I was going to be able to fall back asleep. I would just lie there in bed feeling like I was going insane, sweating, my heart beating furiously, and wishing desperately that I could just go back to sleep.
I no longer struggle with anxiety.
When I was in the midst of the worst battles with anxiety that I have gone through--in the very middle of terrible anxiety--I started to ask myself questions like this: what would happen if I was anxious like this for the rest of my life? The answer I would reply with was this: ultimately I would die and go to heaven to be with God, where I would never know any more anxiety. I finally began to see that ultimately it was okay for me to be anxious. I discovered that the thing I had feared most was anxiety itself. It was during this time that I wrote this:
"Anxiety is not a sin. Jesus was so anxious in the garden of Gethsemane that he sweated drops of blood—and Jesus knew no sin. I have suppressed my anxiety for all of my life up until now. I have feared it. The thing about fearing anxiety, of course, is that it leads to more anxiety. As soon as you start getting anxious about something, you become even more anxious because you become anxious about being anxious—it’s a terrible and escalating cycle. But anxiety is not a sin. I would say that Jesus probably knew the pain of anxiety for most of his life, not just in the garden of Gethsemane.
I am learning to do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I am learning even to endure anxiety through Christ who strengthens me. I need not be anxious about being anxious anymore. I can sit in my anxiety and say, “It’s okay. I can be anxious. God still accepts me and loves me in my anxiety, and He will never leave me or forsake me.” What is so astounding is that Christ suffered the greatest anxiety of any person to ever live so that we might never feel such anxiety. Because of his great love, Jesus suffered more than any other person in every way.
I am starting to see in my own life that the thing I am most anxious about is for others—especially those whom I love the most—to forsake me, not to accept me, not to love me. And yet Christ suffered the most terrible rejection of all when he was forsaken by his Father. The One that he loved the most rejected him and turned his back on him. The sinless savior was forsaken by his Father so that we might never be forsaken by Him. I have no words to describe such great love. How can I not endure my small amounts of anxiety when Christ endured the greatest anxiety of all for my sake? May I rejoice in all things, even in my anxiety."
The way to battle anxiety is to tell yourself the promises of God and to come openly and honestly to God in prayer with what you are dealing with. Go to His word to hear and to remind yourself of His promises to you. Most of all, preach the gospel to yourself, which is the good news about what Jesus did for sinners by taking the wrath of God upon himself in their place, so that whoever holds to Christ's righteousness as their own has become a beloved child of God. There is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.
I really hope that this helps whoever reads it. I will end this post with something I wrote shortly after writing what I posted above:
"Anxiety, loneliness, and pain should drive me to God to find solace in Him, as should joy. I do not think that we can do much to control our emotions, although we should certainly deal with them, but we should always make sure that our emotions drive us to God."
"Anxiety, loneliness, and pain should drive me to God to find solace in Him, as should joy. I do not think that we can do much to control our emotions, although we should certainly deal with them, but we should always make sure that our emotions drive us to God."
Wow, I so needed this.
All I ever hear is that it's a sin to be anxious, which usually just makes me more anxious.
Wow. This really touched me. I had tears in my eyes after reading this. I really needed it, and I'm sure others will agree. Thanks so much for posting.
Wow, absolutely amazing. As someone who has (and still does occasionally) struggled with anxiety this really provides a sense of hope for anyone feeling as if they are doomed to a life of constant anxiousness and distress.
God Bless,
Jesse
__________________
Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Okay, so I just found out that this part of the website was here, and that's why I am just now posting this.
A little history: In the past I have struggled with intense anxiety. If you're reading this, you probably already know what it's like, but I'll describe it a little anway. When I was anxious, it would start small and then escalate to the point where I felt like I was going insane. I was often truly afraid that I was losing my mind and that I would end up in a mental institute. It was extremely difficult to fall asleep, and when I finally did, I would wake up at all hours of the night. If I woke up past 5:00 (and sometimes earlier), there was no way I was going to be able to fall back asleep. I would just lie there in bed feeling like I was going insane, sweating, my heart beating furiously, and wishing desperately that I could just go back to sleep.
I no longer struggle with anxiety.
When I was in the midst of the worst battles with anxiety that I have gone through--in the very middle of terrible anxiety--I started to ask myself questions like this: what would happen if I was anxious like this for the rest of my life? The answer I would reply with was this: ultimately I would die and go to heaven to be with God, where I would never know any more anxiety. I finally began to see that ultimately it was okay for me to be anxious. I discovered that the thing I had feared most was anxiety itself. It was during this time that I wrote this:
"Anxiety is not a sin. Jesus was so anxious in the garden of Gethsemane that he sweated drops of blood—and Jesus knew no sin. I have suppressed my anxiety for all of my life up until now. I have feared it. The thing about fearing anxiety, of course, is that it leads to more anxiety. As soon as you start getting anxious about something, you become even more anxious because you become anxious about being anxious—it’s a terrible and escalating cycle. But anxiety is not a sin. I would say that Jesus probably knew the pain of anxiety for most of his life, not just in the garden of Gethsemane.
I am learning to do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I am learning even to endure anxiety through Christ who strengthens me. I need not be anxious about being anxious anymore. I can sit in my anxiety and say, “It’s okay. I can be anxious. God still accepts me and loves me in my anxiety, and He will never leave me or forsake me.” What is so astounding is that Christ suffered the greatest anxiety of any person to ever live so that we might never feel such anxiety. Because of his great love, Jesus suffered more than any other person in every way.
I am starting to see in my own life that the thing I am most anxious about is for others—especially those whom I love the most—to forsake me, not to accept me, not to love me. And yet Christ suffered the most terrible rejection of all when he was forsaken by his Father. The One that he loved the most rejected him and turned his back on him. The sinless savior was forsaken by his Father so that we might never be forsaken by Him. I have no words to describe such great love. How can I not endure my small amounts of anxiety when Christ endured the greatest anxiety of all for my sake? May I rejoice in all things, even in my anxiety."
The way to battle anxiety is to tell yourself the promises of God and to come openly and honestly to God in prayer with what you are dealing with. Go to His word to hear and to remind yourself of His promises to you. Most of all, preach the gospel to yourself, which is the good news about what Jesus did for sinners by taking the wrath of God upon himself in their place, so that whoever holds to Christ's righteousness as their own has become a beloved child of God. There is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.
I really hope that this helps whoever reads it. I will end this post with something I wrote shortly after writing what I posted above:
"Anxiety, loneliness, and pain should drive me to God to find solace in Him, as should joy. I do not think that we can do much to control our emotions, although we should certainly deal with them, but we should always make sure that our emotions drive us to God."
Thank you so much for this post. I have some of God's promises to me written on index cards. Just recently, I've been reviewing them each day, and they have been bringing me comfort and helping me to start my day off right. I'm thinking that it might be helpful to also carry these index cards with me when I know I'll be going into an anxiety-provoking situation. Of course, once I review these promises enough, I will have them memorized...then, I will carry them with me wherever I go!
I also wanted to say...I agree that not fearing the fear is KEY!!! When we are afraid of becoming or looking anxious, it just makes the anxiety worse! We need to learn to accept it, and like you said, look to God to help us through it. We can put our trust completely in Him because He can accomplish ALL things. He loves us. He is always with us. And He is for us!
Thanks for the post, great insight. I've never thought of my anxiety issues as a sin, but you're right, worrying about anxiety is a big part of this mess. Still fighting the daily battles, hoping to win the war one day - God's not finished with me yet. Take care and God bless!
PRAISE GOD!! What a wonderful message you have given us. Thank you so much for taking time to share your insights. Surely they are from God.
You have given me a whole new perspective on how to deal with these periodic episodes. God Bless you!!!
How can we as a group of people help each other? My anxiety was a lot worse than it is now. If I am able to get through it and go back to church and make new friends I would like to help people.
Let's say for example there was 100 people who got over their anxiety and can live life again. They would know what we all went through. As a group of Christians can we, through God, gather together to help one another? How can we help the other thousands of people stuck in their houses or have overwhelming anxiety?
Sometimes we say I am only one person what can I do? But we are many thousands in each state. We are not counselors, but we can pray for and support one another. Can we informally form a group that helps people with anxiety?
It's sad to hear a person say that they are stuck in their house for 10, 20 or 30 years. I have been stuck in my house on and off for 20 years. I go some places once in awhile, but only with people that I know. I am afraid of large groups and meeting new people.
I want to with the help of other people form a Christian outreach of some kind for people with anxiety. It can start out online then with God's help he can lead me to people I can meet with in person. Then we can meet in groups and think of ways of how to reach out to other people. I am praying for this, but I don't know how to go about this alone.
Linear Mode
