{Be Loved} Dealing with Anxiety

by: Molly Wantland

Worry. Anxiety. Fear. Whatever you want to call it, it’s never a good thing to feel. I should know – I’ve unfortunately dealt with it for a quite a while.

I know most people that meet me think I’m fairly laid-back, because I always try to be cheerful (why bring more negativity into the world?!), and you won’t hear me complain much, if ever, in public. I like being positive! We all get in bad moods from time to time, but I don’t want to show that side of myself to most people. (If I have, you should know how much I trust you!)

That being said, when my mind is allowed to wander, I tend to worry. Worry worry worry! I believe I was always slightly inclined to do this, but the passing of my father when I was fourteen really kick-started my anxiety. Even without his cancer and passing, it’s such an emotional time for girls, so when those difficult things were combined, they caused my emotions and worry to overflow. Simply, I got in the habit of worrying, and worrying a lot.

Yes, I was thinking about normal teenage concerns – classes, friends, boys – but mine seemed to take a hold of me. I would almost create things to worry about, all in my mind. I would think of possible worse-case scenarios of whatever was currently going on, and figure out what I would do should the worst-case ever happen. I thought I was doing something positive by planning ahead for bad things that might occur, but essentially I was doing the opposite – I was causing my mind and my body more stress and more anxiety…all over something I had totally concocted in my mind!

Needless to say, the habit of worrying about things I didn’t have true control over continued for many years. Have you noticed that in your life? Have you noticed that most things you worry about never really come to fruition, or at least in the terrible ways that you were imagining? Have you also noticed as you turn the problem over and over in your head, it’s because you usually don’t have much control over it?

There’s a good reason for this – it’s because God knows our limitations, and He is trying to remind us that we DON’T have to hold onto these earthly worries. He is patiently waiting for us to turn to Him; to trust Him entirely with the things on our minds. I know, this is incredibly hard! I’ve gotten in a new habit of praying as soon as I feel my anxiety creeping up. I pray for God’s peace and for me to know He is in control – it’s such a relief to know that I don’t have to do anything except let God take over! The beauty is, He wants to do this for us. He actually wants to take our worry away from us and let us be free!

It can still be very tough to let go of your anxiety, even after you’ve spent time praying. I have a few more solutions that I hope will help you get past those pesky worrisome thoughts:

Do for others. Spend time with friends and family. Exercise. Meditate or spend some quiet time. Have a dance party! Speak to a counselor or trusted mentor. List things you’re thankful for. Read encouraging books or devotionals.

Worry and anxiety affects all of us at one time or another, but there are lots of ways to combat it! If this is something you’re struggling with, I’d love to talk with you more and share more of what’s helped me with this issue. I hope you gained some helpful tips in this article!