9 Ways The Bible Can Help You Through Your Anxiety
Anxiety is something that has taken our world by storm. It is a feeling that sneaks into your mind, and quickly overtakes your entire being. Anxiety is a feeling that is incredibly hard to rid yourself of, but there are a few techniques that might help you get through your anxiety. The most important thing to do when experiencing anxiety is to go to God. There is no human that can comfort us the way that God can. That said, here are a few tactics that might ease your anxious feelings.
Trust God
Whenever you begin to experience feelings of anxiety, immediately place your trust in God. Anxiety is awful because it makes you feel incapable to do anything, and leaves you in distress. Before your anxiety can start to get the best of you, look to God for encouragement. Whether you are sad, happy, angry, or excited, God is there for us. He wants us to lean on him in all seasons of life, even the bad ones. Place your trust in him in all things, he will be there for you unconditionally.
Get your mind of what is causing you anxiety
One of the most important, but hardest things to do while experiencing anxiety, is getting your mind off of the anxiety. You might think that this is impossible, because if it was that easy, you would never experience anxiety. I understand that it is hard to distract yourself from this, but there are some distractions that will help get your mind off of the anxiety. One thing you can do is do something active. This is important because it will cause you to focus on that activity.
Another helpful activity that can take your mind off of anxiety is hanging out with friends. When you are experiencing anxiety this might sound like the worst thing possible, but it will cause you to distract your thoughts. You will be forced to be distracted, and even though it might not be what you want, it will take you a few steps away from your thoughts. God guides us to think about all things that are good and holy, focus on this when you are getting entrenched in the depths of your mind.
Pray
One way to cope with anxiety is to get your mind to stop thinking. This activity can be insanely hard, especially for people who have tendencies to over think. One way to get your mind off of causing you anxiety is prayer. It takes focus but is something that will allow you to focus on what really matters, God’s faithfulness. It’s important to remember that even though you might be having troubles, those will not last forever. The feelings of failure that you are feeling today are fleeting. The only feeling we can hold on to eternally is that of God’s love.
Ephesians 1:18 tells us, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.” God shows us in His word that he wants us to speak with him, so that we might get the inheritance he has promised us. Prayer can be used to distract us from our worries, and center our focus on what ultimately what matters. By praying to God, you are giving your anxiety to God.
Dive into God’s word
One of the most important things you can do to help yourself cope with anxiety is reading the bible. Not only will this bring you comfort, but it will strengthen your relationship with Christ as well. The Bible is stacked full of passages that tell us to look to God for our peace. Psalm 34:4 tells us, “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Dive into the Word whenever you are feeling anxious, lost, or just sad. God will meet you there and guide you out of your anxiety.
Take it from your hands, and give it to God’s hands
Only God knows what is going to happen today, tomorrow, and sixteen years from today. He is the one who made the stars in the sky, and the fish in the sea. He made you, and he knows what is going to happen with you. He knows what job you will get when you turn twenty-three. He knows who you will marry. He knows all things about you.
That said, isn’t it comforting to think there is someone else who controls all things, that isn’t you? Give it to God, he will take care of all your worries, and comfort you at the same time.
Reach out to positive Christian influences
Hopefully we all have at least one christian influence that plays a positive role in our lives. If you have a Christian influence, or mentor, they can be a good option to utilize when you are having anxiety. I had one friend, who was an older christian woman, that I would go to whenever I was experiencing anxiety or worries that was a great asset in teaching me how to deal with anxiety.
She was helpful because she would talk things out with me, which would often time help, but she would also pray with me about my anxiety. She would always encourage me to reach out to God when I was having anxiety, as a first step solution to my problem.
Christian mentors are important for all young and old christians alike. I have always been told to have a younger mentor, who is only a few years older than me, and then also one who is considerably older than you. So far, this technique has been extremely beneficial to my life. They will walk beside you through the good and the bad, something that is not always a characteristic of friends.
Break down your anxiety
Much like a physical medical condition, one thing that can help someone through anxiety is finding the root of the problem. If you are able to figure out what the main problem is that is causing you anxiety, then it will help you immensely. It will let you target those feelings, and let you talk them out, which can often times halt anxious feelings.
If you need to, contact a doctor
Sometimes we need medical attention to help solve our problems. Although we should still always put our faith and trust in God, if you need to seek a doctor for help, that is completely okay. Don’t let people tell you otherwise. Reach out to those you trust for doctor recommendations, and maybe you will even find a Christian doctor.