Anxiety and The Christian

Anxiety is mentioned many times in the scriptures. (Luke 8:14 and 12:22-26; I Peter 5:11; Php. 4:11 for a few examples.) Why is this the case? Anxiety is a natural response to prolonged stress. The loving God who formed us knows that He has left us in a stressful world. He permits us to know that anxiety is a human experience and not something of which we need to be ashamed.

How will I know if I am experiencing one of the many uncomfortable ways that anxiety shows itself? There are many indicators that anxiety is robbing us of the joys and the peace of the abundant life God desires for us. A few symptoms are listed below:

• Anxiety may present physiologic responses including rapid heartbeat, muscle tension, dry mouth, sweating or queasiness.
• A feeling of impending doom i.e.: “something bad may happen”
• Anxiety may limit our freedom by presenting itself through phobias or panic attacks.
• Anxiety may bind us through the felt need to perform rituals or repetitions such as checking door locks, counting things unnecessarily, or needless reorganizing of closets etc.
• Anxiety may also present itself through sleep difficulties, irritability, difficulty concentrating, hyper vigilance or exaggerated startle response.

In treating anxiety, a physical examination by a medical doctor is always a first step. When any relevant medical conditions have been ruled out, please consider making an appointment with one of our licensed professional Christian therapists at Community Presbyterian Counseling Center.