When Anxiety Muscles Its Way In

I’m not a worrier by nature. During my widow years, it was normal to drive to a wilderness trailhead, text a friend to let her know where I was, and then call her when I returned to my car. Looking back, it would have been a good idea to have a healthy fear about hiking alone in the wilderness.

For the record, there are times when I taste anxiety—like when Dan is late coming home and my mind flashes to, What if there’s been an accident? What if I’m widowed again?! (Definitely working on this one with God’s help.)

An alarm

I recently read a piece by Dr. Lisa Stanton, PhD, with a perspective I hadn’t thought of. “Anxiety has become the alarm system for my soul,” she wrote. “Not something to fear or suppress, but something to listen to.”

Stanton struggled with anxiety before realizing that it wasn’t the fire. “It was the alarm. The fire was somewhere deeper, and the alarm was my soul trying to tell me the truth.”

Her anxiety doesn’t hang around much these days, but when it does show up, instead of asking, “Why me?” Stanton asks, “What am I angry about? Who am I judging? What am I refusing to confess? Where have I placed my trust in something other than God?”

Three ways to manage anxiety

David Rosmarin, associate professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School, wrote about emotional wellness, which includes dealing with anxiety and fear:

“All humans have weaknesses, struggles, and strain at times. To the extent that we can be vulnerable, open up to someone, and show them that we’re not perfect, we are, ironically, more likely to have emotional wellness.”

My favorite, go-to verse on anxiety was written by the Apostle Paul in a letter to new believers in ancient Philippi:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6

From these two authors, David Rosmarin and Paul, I hear three pro-active ways to manage anxiety: 1) prayer, 2) practicing gratitude, and 3) human connection with a regular dose of vulnerability.

Humor writer Nanea Hoffman weighs in on this topic, as well:

Me: “Hey, things are going pretty well!”

Anxiety: “Well, THAT can’t be right. Let’s review all your personal flaws and everything you’ve ever said to anyone since childhood. Also, let’s second guess all your decisions. Ready? GO!”

Keeping anxiety at bay

When anxiety barrels in from time to time, haul it back to God. Through prayer. Through gratitude. And through vulnerability with a trusted friend. As often as necessary.

When we approach God with our fears, I don’t think he ever sighs heavily and says, “Not again.”

I think his face lights up every time we remember to hand off our worries to him. And I think he says gently, “Dear child, let me carry that for you. Let me show you what’s underneath your anxiety. I’ve got you.”