ANXIETY
Article by Lauri McNair, MS
Life is full of challenges, worries, and cares--some unexpected and out of our control, and others the result of our choices and decisions. For most, the cares of life will evoke feelings of anxiety at one time or another. Anxiety is a normal human emotion in which feelings of stress and worry are prominent. A job interview, a first date, public speaking, awaiting test results, or making a decision regarding a financial matter; all of these scenarios can be anxiety producing. As such our bodies will have a response. The uncomfortable, yet common symptoms of anxiety may include:
* sweaty palms
* upset stomach
* rapid heart beat
* increased blood pressure
For some, anxiety is unpleasant, but transient. For others anxiety is considered problematic and troublesome when its symptoms are on-going, persistent, and interfere with one's ability to function. Symptoms of chronic anxiety may include:
* irrational feelings of dread and doom
* sleep and/or appetite disturbances
* excessive fear and worry
* lack of concentration
* heart palpitations
* muscle tension
* inability to relax
* shortness of breath; hyperventilation
Anxiety Disorders
Panic Disorders
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Phobias
Separation Anxiety
Overcoming Anxiety
Life is challenging, and the Father knows this. It was never his desire that we walk through life worried, unsettled, and riddled with stress. I Peter 5:7 states, "Give all your worries and cares to God,for he cares about you" (NLT). Anxiety is not something that we have to live with! Scripture tells us to release it. Give it to God. He is equipped to take it! The beautiful assurance that we have is that as we give the anxiety to God, He in turn will give us his peace and his rest (Matthew 11:28-30). In addition, the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truths (John 16:13). He will give us the wisdom, insight and direction on living an anxiety-free life (Isaiah 11:2).
Overcoming anxiety biblically is a spiritual discipline. It is something that we have to willfully practice. It does not come naturally, because we long to control our world. Many times we give something to God, and we take it back as if we have an insight that God does not!
Prayer for Overcoming Anxiety
Father, these feelings of anxiety are more than I can bear. I give them to you. I thank you for taking them now. I thank you that you love me and care about me. I receive the peace and rest that you are bringing to my mind, body, and soul. I thank you that your Holy Spirit is guiding me into all truths and giving me wisdom, insight, and direction to live an anxiety-free life in Jesus' name, amen.
Life is full of challenges, worries, and cares--some unexpected and out of our control, and others the result of our choices and decisions. For most, the cares of life will evoke feelings of anxiety at one time or another. Anxiety is a normal human emotion in which feelings of stress and worry are prominent. A job interview, a first date, public speaking, awaiting test results, or making a decision regarding a financial matter; all of these scenarios can be anxiety producing. As such our bodies will have a response. The uncomfortable, yet common symptoms of anxiety may include:
* sweaty palms
* upset stomach
* rapid heart beat
* increased blood pressure
For some, anxiety is unpleasant, but transient. For others anxiety is considered problematic and troublesome when its symptoms are on-going, persistent, and interfere with one's ability to function. Symptoms of chronic anxiety may include:
* irrational feelings of dread and doom
* sleep and/or appetite disturbances
* excessive fear and worry
* lack of concentration
* heart palpitations
* muscle tension
* inability to relax
* shortness of breath; hyperventilation
Anxiety Disorders
Panic Disorders
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Phobias
Separation Anxiety
Overcoming Anxiety
Life is challenging, and the Father knows this. It was never his desire that we walk through life worried, unsettled, and riddled with stress. I Peter 5:7 states, "Give all your worries and cares to God,for he cares about you" (NLT). Anxiety is not something that we have to live with! Scripture tells us to release it. Give it to God. He is equipped to take it! The beautiful assurance that we have is that as we give the anxiety to God, He in turn will give us his peace and his rest (Matthew 11:28-30). In addition, the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truths (John 16:13). He will give us the wisdom, insight and direction on living an anxiety-free life (Isaiah 11:2).
Overcoming anxiety biblically is a spiritual discipline. It is something that we have to willfully practice. It does not come naturally, because we long to control our world. Many times we give something to God, and we take it back as if we have an insight that God does not!
Prayer for Overcoming Anxiety
Father, these feelings of anxiety are more than I can bear. I give them to you. I thank you for taking them now. I thank you that you love me and care about me. I receive the peace and rest that you are bringing to my mind, body, and soul. I thank you that your Holy Spirit is guiding me into all truths and giving me wisdom, insight, and direction to live an anxiety-free life in Jesus' name, amen.