As a Christian believer, you may be suffering from fear and anxiety and are feeling misunderstood by your own people. Anxiety can be both a mental health issue and a spiritual issue.
Anxiety is a mental health disorder where the person suffering from it feels fearful, worried, anxious, and it interferes with their daily activities.
It can cause panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder in the person. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America: Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year.
It is so sad that although anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment. Anxiety-related issues develop from genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events.
How do we deal with anxiety?
As Christians, we need to know that our body and spirit are connected to our brain and there are physical and spiritual battles that we are fighting day and night which can have an effect on the brain and soul.
We have a God who is a healer and can heal anxiety and we need to take give all our thoughts and life to Him and also seek medical care.
The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:6,7 “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Giving your life to Jesus Christ is the first step, next is to practice fixing your thoughts on Christ and his promises. (John 14:2-3).
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9, ESV, emphasis added).
Spend time in prayer and ask for Prayer
It’s important for us Christians to understand and accept that we can feel the adrenaline pumping through our veins and hear voices that are not heard by others, but we have a secret weapon called prayer.
We can take our battles to God and rest our thoughts on Christ even when a battle is raging in our minds and bodies. We can also ask for anointing prayer and can ask for our brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for us with one mind.
You may be feeling like someone or something is trying to kill you but you should be aware that feelings are lies that should not be trusted. The feeling of dread, pains and impending doom can make you feel so exhausted, but we have an anchor – the gospel.
The gospel tells us that God chose us before the creation of this world, and that He is with us. He doesn’t want us to suffer and he can heal us.
God didn’t design us to work and earn money 24/7. He designed us to Be Still and Know. To ‘Be still’ means to rest in God’s presence. We need to daily be still before our Lord. It means to become un-busy, to not hustle and prioritize our time with Him and listen to what our bodies need. We need to rest, exercise, sleep well, and eat healing foods.
Here are some comforting verses from the Bible for you:
“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.” ~ Joshua 1:9
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” ~ 2 Timothy 1:7
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” ~ 1 John 4:18
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” ~ Psalm 94:19