Electricity surged from my arms into my fingertips like an overactive bug-zapper in the Florida Everglades. My body temperature seemed elevated–ears burning, cheeks hot while an invisible weight crushed my chest making it difficult to fill my lungs or breathe.

Anxiety ripened into a full-on anxiety attack.

I’d struggled with anxiety since childhood, but this was a new and overwhelming experience. Certain I was too young for a heart attack, I heaped on the shame.

Don’t you have any faith? God is able to manage the ticker tape of worries streaming through your mind. What sort of Christian are you? 

Self-recrimination came easily–like sleepless nights and excessive weight loss.

Three Truths About Anxiety

The challenge was in accepting the truth; I have a mental illness.

Like 1 in 5 other Americans, I struggle with the reality of emotions that attempt to strangle hope. I sometimes lose my way in the Land of What Is because I’ve crossed over into The Land of What Might Be–a far more unfamiliar and frightening place with all sorts of imagined disasters and potential troubles.

Over the years, though, I’ve discovered three important truths about anxiety.

1. Clinical anxiety is not equivalent to the sinful worry noted in scripture.  Other well-meaning Christians may disagree, but as a result of this broken world some of us suffer from illnesses. Some of these, such as rheumatoid arthritis or cancer, are more readily accepted within the church. However, some of us battle daily with mental illnesses like anxiety and depression as a result of trauma or biological differences.
2. God may choose to heal my anxiety–or not. Like anyone living with illness, I’ve prayed fervently to be healed. I’ve prayed even more passionately for others I love to be released from the burden of chronic anxiety. I am convinced that if God chooses to allow this thorn to remain while I live out my years on earth then He will use it to accomplish good in the lives of others. It is in our weakness that His power is magnified. (2 Corinthians 12:9-11)

   I don't need to carry shame because of anxiety. 
   #anxiety #mentalhealth Click To Tweet

3. Anxiety doesn’t make me less of a Christian. I don’t need to carry shame because of anxiety. If sin is powerless to keep me from Jesus, then a condition of human frailty is even less culpable. None of my attempts to present myself worthy and whole are necessary; He only requires a contrite heart. (Psalm 51:17).

Do you, too, struggle with anxiety? Can I encourage you to set aside your self-chastisement and shame? This is why Jesus came, friend–to provide the Way home.

If anxiety is not on your list of hurts or challenges, then praise God and consider encouraging a friend or loved one who is familiar with the prick and pain of this particular thorn.

I’ve included a hope-filled printable of scriptures below to pray over or share with someone else.

9 Verses Printable




Peace and grace,
Tammy

I often link up with the following bloggers:
Imparting Grace, Crystal Twaddell, SaltandLight, Tea and Word

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