Managing Anxiety as a Christian
Hi, my name is Janine and I sometimes get anxiety. Saying that out loud, I picture myself at some sort of APA – Anxious Person’s Anonymous club ready to begin my 12-step program.
I think a huge factor into my anxiety stems from the fact that we are living in the most unprecedented times and constantly flooded with news and social media.
So what do we do when inevitably, anxiety comes our way?
How to Deal With Anxiety as a Christian
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Stay Grounded in the Word and Spend Time with the Lord
One of the best things about the Bible is that it speaks to every situation and feeling we have or could possibly experience.
We should have scripture so hidden in our hearts to remind ourselves of God’s Word. To get into this practice, you can use post-it notes or even the notes app on your phone.
Whether it be listening to sermons or having worship music on – surrounding yourself with the presence of God and truly connecting with Him is one of the best things you can do.
“You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.”Isaiah 26:3 ESV
All it takes is just talking to Jesus. How lucky and blessed are we to have Jesus who experienced human emotions and knows exactly how we feel?
In Luke 22 before the crucifixion when Jesus was in the Mount of Olives, we read that He felt overwhelming anxiety to the point where He began to sweat drops of blood.
Jesus knew and experienced anxiety and fear. But He took His fears to the Lord when He went alone to pray, and an angel from Heaven appeared and strengthened Him.
It may seem as though our anxious thoughts, fears, and worries can be so overwhelming that we have nowhere to turn to. In Lamentations 3:28-30 it reads:
Let him sit alone in silence
when it is laid on him;
let him put his mouth in the dust—
there may yet be hope;
let him give his cheek to the one who strikes,
and let him be filled with insults.”Lamentations 3:28-30 ESV
It is often said never underestimate the power of prayer. Place every worry, doubt, fear and anxious thought in His hands.
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) states “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Too often we feel as though we can carry all our burdens on our own. But God never intended for us to.
In society, we have this culture of independence when we should be living in dependence on our Father.
Lay it all down at the altar. Every worry, fear, anxiety, doubt. He’s waiting for you to come to Him and as Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.“
Always remember no matter how hard it gets that God’s grace is sufficient. It always has been and always will be. He never changes in His steadfast unfailing love for us.
Declare the Word of God
Ephesians 6:12 (KJV) says that “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Scriptural declarations are key in conquering anxiety and taking power over your mental health. One of the ways the enemy wants to conquer us is through our minds. We have to fight back with spiritual warfare and the Word of God.
In my own personal healing journey, I learned the power of declaring and praying scripture.
Some passages of scripture that I have found helpful:
Phillipians 4:8-9 (NIV):
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV):
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Jeremiah 30:17 (NIV):
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.”
Show Love to Yourself
There’s an old saying that goes you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Oftentimes the easiest thing to do to relax is to scroll social media or binge watch tv. I myself have wasted hours scrolling only to end up more anxious.
The media we consume is so important, oftentimes without even realizing. That is why the Bible tells us in Romans 12:2 (NIV) “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
In the busyness of life, we should always ask the Lord to continuously renew our minds and filter out all the negative.
With all the talk about self care in all its different forms, find the healthiest options for you that you can truly enjoy.
If we want to be our best self in our walk with God, part of our Christian walk should entail taking care of ourselves with consuming the right food, the right media, and exercise.
Find Your People
From my own experience, isolating makes anxiety worse. During the times when I struggled the most with my mental health, I often found myself longing for community and to be around people even if it was just being at the mall or supermarket. Something small as getting outside helped so much.
Hebrews 10:25 (KJV) states “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Grab the book by Jennie Allen
Find Your People: Building Deep Community in a Lonely World
Find Your People by Jennie Allen explores the deep importance of building meaningful connections and community in a disconnected world. Allen provides practical steps to cultivate relationships that are genuine and supportive, empowering readers to build a circle of people who help them thrive spiritually and emotionally. This book is a must-read for anyone longing to replace isolation with intentional friendships rooted in faith and purpose.
I am fortunate and blessed to have found an Apostle who guides and mentors me as I develop my walk with Christ and for my loved ones. And in the depth of my struggle, I made the decision to start going to church regularly.
As hard as it might be sometimes, surround yourself with people who are good for you. Ask the Lord to help you find a good mentor and Christian community you can be a part of.
These are just some of the ways that you can manage your own anxiety.
And if you are reading this and like me struggle sometimes, it is my prayer for you that you overcome whatever you are facing. Remember that you are not what struggles you face, you are a child of the Most High God and you are greatly loved by Him.
