Is Anxiety a Lack of Faith?

Today I’m getting a little more personal on my blog and discussing anxiety and faith. If you are struggling maybe you’ve asked yourself whether anxiety is a lack of faith or not. Let’s tackle that question along with some other thoughts I have regarding anxiety, including some scriptures about anxiety to read when you are feeling really low.

At first I was hesitant to write a post on anxiety. As an anxiety sufferer I like to joke about it to make light of what I am struggling with, but very rarely do I sit down with someone and spell out clearly just how difficult some days are.  

The reason I’d rather make light of it than get real about it is because there is a stigma attached. The truth is, while I joke about it, deep down I’m mad at myself that I struggle with it.  Using humor to discuss it makes me feel less like I’m broken.

But I don’t want it to be something that we hide and refuse to talk about. We shouldn’t be mad at ourselves because often so much of why we struggle with anxiety is out of our control.

And so I’m stepping out today and discussing it here on my blog because if you suffer anxiety I want you to know you are not alone, and you don’t have to be ashamed about it.

If you’ve ever locked yourself in your bathroom, sat on the floor and cried, “Lord, please take away my anxiety,” today’s post is for you.

IS ANXIETY A LACK OF FAITH?

Now, I’m not a Biblical scholar. I will be the first to admit that I don’t always understand what the scriptures are saying to me.

But I truly believe anxiety is not a lack of faith, and when we tell anxiety sufferers just to “trust God more, pray more” to get better it can be dangerous.

Don’t get me wrong, when suffering anxiety I think it’s paramount that we pray more, and we sit in His presence. I believe His presence can help us through it, much like sitting with a friend or loved one through an anxiety attack can help. We may still have an attack, but we know we are loved in the moment, and even if we are scared we often feel safer if we are with someone who loves us through it.  God loves us and cares for us in those anxious moments.

But the very presence of anxiety does not mean a lack of faith.

I was reading about Job from the Bible this morning with my kids.  I pointed out to them that Job, even in the midst of everything good being stripped from his life, refused to curse God.  His faith was STRONG.  Yet, he was still in misery.  He was still heartbroken.  He was still devastated.  

I don’t know anyone who looks at Job and says, “well, if he REALLY had faith in God he wouldn’t have been miserable.”

Of course he was miserable.  He had experienced unimaginable pain.

And that makes me think about those of us suffering anxiety, sometimes to the point that it feels debilitating. Anxiety is often a response to deep pain and wounds from past trauma.

I believe that anxiety has been triggered in different people for various reasons and usually it’s root cause has layers of pain that can’t be easily fixed.

Maybe you didn’t grow up with stability and security and so it’s hard to live your life as an adult without that constant fear of any stability and security you have built being stripped away at any given moment.

Maybe you experienced a health crisis or serious accident and fear you will never be back to your normal, healthy self again, able to do the things you once did.

Maybe you faced abuse and the wounds are still deeply there.

The point being, fixing anxiety from things like that aren’t as easy as saying “just don’t fear anymore.”

For me, personally my anxiety comes from years of different types of trauma both in my childhood and my adulthood. And while I’ve worked hard at healing in various forms and have made a lot of progress over the years, I imagine it will be a life long battle. Will I get stronger and maybe less anxious with each year that passes? I am choosing to believe so. But there’s always triggers that bring it up the surface more than usual.

For me, recently anxiety has reared it’s ugly head and the trigger has been the uncertainty and instability in the world right now, along with being locked down in our homes too long. And deep down I realize the world was always uncertain, but when big things like this happen it causes fears to rise up again.

But I think recognizing that is important as well. When we recognize it we can fight it.

PLAYLIST FOR ANXIETY

Music for me is calming and healing.  I created this playlist recently to help me when anxious thoughts invade.  Have a listen to some of these songs.  You may find them as encouraging as I do.

 

SCRIPTURES ABOUT ANXIETY

There are quite a few things I like to do when struggling with anxiety. I exercise, I get outside, I play worship music, and I may talk to a friend. I also like to pray and read my Bible. And you know what? Sometimes I do ALL THESE THINGS and I am STILL anxious. But I still think it’s better to do these things than stay in my bed and feel defeated by the anxiety. At least at the end of the day I can say, “Yes, I was anxious. I’m still anxious. But I got through the day. I did what I needed to do.”

Disclaimer: I do realize depending on where you are at even the act of getting out of bed can feel impossible. If that’s you I encourage you to talk to your doctor. There’s help out there. Don’t try and fight this alone.

I want to share with you some verses to calm anxiety.

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” -Isaiah 40:31

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” -Psalms 56:3

“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 8:38-39

“So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'” – Hebrews 13:6

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

THERE IS HOPE WITH ANXIETY

It’s easy to feel discouraged when battling anxiety.  Especially at times where you have been doing so well for so long and then it seems to come back again out of nowhere.  But there is hope.  First, remember that there is nothing wrong with you.  Secondly, self-care, though a cliche, is so important.  Put on your music, connect with a friend, connect with God.

And on the days where it seems nothing is working, just take it one hour at a time and just focus on getting through each hour.  Eventually it will pass and an easier day will come.