A Different Way of Life: Addressing a Proactive Approach to Worry and Anxiety

 It is undoubtedly clear God is calling you and I to a different way of life. — Eric Gomez, MS, LMFT, MHP

 What is it You Really Believe?

As Christians, we are required to face certain questions, which challenge us to think deeply about our faith.

• • Does God exist?

• If God exists, what has he revealed about himself?
• If he has revealed himself, am I prepared to believe the things he has revealed?

These questions force us to move beyond a mere acceptance of God based on what someone else has taught us (e.g., pastor, parent). They require a self-evaluation of our beliefs, as well as a logical pursuit, which helps formulate the development of certain convictions in our hearts. For those of us who have ultimately concluded to believe what God has revealed, we know that he has given us the opportunity to know him personally through the acceptance of his Son as Lord by faith. At this level, there is the entrustment of our lives to God, yet it is important to ask, “How does this affect our everyday lives?”

In seeking an answer to this question, one element readily stands out when studying both Old and New Testaments . . . trusting in God is a fundamental part of knowing Him.

Removing Any Doubt

If you ever doubted God’s desire for us to place our confidence in Him, simply consider the following:

Joshua 1:9 (NIV): “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 37:5 (NIV): Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Matthew 6:31-34 (NIV): “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV): For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

He, as our Creator, comprehends more than we ever will the detailed intricacies of our human condition. He understands our need for relationship, for love, and for security. He knows the world in which we live, and how easy it is for us to enter into a state of worry. Nonetheless, he asks for us to have a firm belief, a deep reliance upon him, so we may know the peace that passes all understanding spoken of in Philippians 4:7.

It is undoubtedly clear God is calling you and I to a different way of life, one that is vastly distinct from those who do not have a relationship with Him.

A Different Response

As a counselor, I am well aware of the deep struggles people go through. I realize life can easily become overwhelming, and that to simply throw out the statement, “Trust in God,” to someone who is truly broken inside can seem like a slap in the face. I further recognize trusting in God can be misconstrued as an end-all to the problems we face on a daily basis. This line of thought is similar to the mistakenly held notion that fear should never touch our lives. Yet, to assume as Christians that we should not experience any fear, anxiety, or any form of emotional turmoil is to deny a fundamental human reality, and to apply a debased, ill thought out form of Christianity.

On the contrary, the verses we read above specifically address the emotional state of mankind, and remind us God fully understands what we go through psychologically. Yet, the theme and admonition in these verses is to move beyond fear. Please notice there is distinction between denying one’s emotions and accepting them, whereby one can then, in their willing reliance upon God, directly address them.

What we find are an experience of emotions, but we do not have to be governed by them. Though we may experience fear or worry, we can remind ourselves of our personal relationship with God, remember his Word, and consciously choose to rely upon him. Thus we enter into a deliberate act of trusting him to take care of us though all hell may break loose in our lives. In the end we can rest assured knowing we will ultimately be taken care of because He is with us.

Yet, what if trusting in God doesn’t change how one feels?

Clinical Considerations

As a counselor, I understand there are situations when anxiety / fear / worry is pervasive and persistent, as in the case of anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Such anxiety disorders affect about 40 million American adults, age 18 years and older, in a given year. These symptoms can last at least 6 months and can get worse if they are not treated.

1. One common form of therapy used to help treat these symptoms is Cognitive Therapy, which focuses on addressing thought patterns that bring on worry, and helping individuals separate unrealistic from realistic thoughts.
2. This is done knowing what one believes plays a significant role in how they feel about themselves, and affects how they work through emotional difficulties.

Therefore, if you are experiencing ongoing symptoms of anxiety, it is imperative to understand this does not mean your faith is weak. Furthermore, it is wise to work with a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist in such cases. Remember, life is a combination of emotional, relational, physical, and spiritual components. All of these factors should be considered when working through various emotional experiences.

Conclusion

My aim in this article was to challenge readers toward a consideration of what it means to trust God, and address why this is important for us emotionally. In addition, I wanted to clarify there are times when we need the support of someone professionally trained to treat individuals experiencing anxiety which is persistent and pervasive. As a Marriage and Family Counselor, my encouragement is to seek help in such cases. If you are experiencing these types of symptoms, I would be glad to schedule an initial consultation with you to discuss this further.

References
1. National Institute of Mental Health, Anxiety Disorders, http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/introduction.shtml
2. Psychology Today, When Worry Takes Over, http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200306/when-worry-takes-over

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