Managing anxiety is easier said than done. There are several physical, emotional, and social forces that contribute to our experience of anxiety and mental stress. The foods we eat, how we move, how we breath, how we sleep, as well as our relationships and our environment - all of these factors can impact or trigger anxious thoughts and the associated physical and emotional symptoms.

In many cases, we desire relief quickly so we seek out unhealthy coping strategies, behaviors, and relationships that feel good but don’t serve our highest good. While we can find temporary relief or escape from our symptoms, true and lasting healing is what we are after. We want to go beyond quick-fixes and band-aids and seek out affective and sustainable solutions that address our anxiety at its core. The longer I serve in the personal and professional development space, the more I have come to realize that we need less self-help and more God help. While we do need to take responsibility for our well-being, we also must learn to surrender and create space for God to take the lead in our lives. In addition to stewarding our body and mind through healthy living, learning to rely on God during challenging moments can bring us greater peace and well-being.

There are so many wellness researchers and mental health experts that tell you to “let it go” or to “surrender your fear”. If we don’t bring God into the conversation when trying to let go or surrender our emotions we will run into roadblocks or only experience short term relief. When we try to do things without God we miss out on having a capable and loving recipient to surrender our emotions to. It is difficult to relinquish our desire for control and move through painful emotions if we believe that no one is going to step in and go to bat for us. As a believer, you may have heard the expression “give it to God.” Being able to give up our fears and concerns to God is truly one of the greatest rewards of living in the power of the Holy Spirit who walks with us and having a heavenly father who watches over us. Without God, we will never be enough. With God, we are made whole.

Ecclesiastes 11:10

10 So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body,

At first, this command to banish anxiety can seem heartless and out of touch. Oh right, why didn’t I think of that?! But as we mature spiritually and understand that God tells us not to fear or be anxious because He wants us to choose faith instead. As we continue to choose to turn to Him when stress and conflict are at hand, our faith is strengthened and our experience of anxiety can become less intense and more infrequent.

The anxiety you experience is a reflection of your level of trust: trust and confidence in yourself, in others, and, most importantly, God. Each of us has limitations in our power to change our circumstances - we can be well-meaning and putting forth our best effort consistently and we will still lack perfection. This doesn’t mean your failing. Rather, this is God’s design.

When we lean on the Lord in all circumstances, He will care for our highest good and the good of all. We can choose humility, vulnerability, and courage by letting go and letting God. That is when God can lead us to glory - not by our own strength but through His. We have to step out of the way for His power to take its full affect in our lives.

2 Corinthians 12:9

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness.” ... Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses

God can provide for our emotional and mental well-being by guiding us to resources that support our health in the short-term while also working within us, and through the people and circumstances he places in our lives, to change our hearts, grow our minds, and unify our beliefs and behaviors with His will.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

If we lack faith when addressing life’s challenges, we will be ruled by fear, shame, anger, and apathy. This is important because our emotions impact our behaviors and outcomes in all areas of our well-being: including how we contribute to our families and communities (purpose), how we love and treat other (right relationships), how we feel and care for our well-being (mental, emotional, and physical well-being).

God is not a fair-weather friend and He does not fail. Who are we to deny His power and amazing love for us? If we learn to accept our circumstances and trust God’s sovereign power, we gain courage and a willingness to move through difficult emotions and experience greater joy and gratitude.

If you have experienced trauma or abusive relationships in the past that makes it difficult to comprehend or trust in God’s love for you, then take these doubts directly to the Lord and ask Him to heal and soften your heart so you can receive His love more fully. It also might be a good idea to work with a licensed Christian counselor.

2 Corinthians 10:5

5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

In addition to surrendering our emotions to God, we can practice “taking every thought captive.” By submitting our thoughts to God and filtering our thoughts through the lens of Christ’s love, we begin reframing our perceptions and adopting healthier thought patterns that serve our well-being.

Galatians 5:22–23

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Are you experiencing the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life? If we give our time to God and allow Him to do a work in us, we can experience these gifts. There is great hope and relief from anxiety when we lie our burdens down at the foot of the Cross and trust in God to rule over our lives. You are not alone and you are not a burden, a failure, or a mistake. You are a child of the Living God who knows your heart and cares for you deeply.

The next time you experience a wave of anxiety, remember to pause, breath, and pray to God. Share with God how you are feeling and why and sit in His presence and continue to breath deeply. You can also make a practice of journaling your thoughts and asking God to join you as you seek relief and resolution from your stress.

If you are struggling with frequent anxiety or panic attacks, it may be beneficial to seek out help from a licensed Christian counselor. BetterHelp offers virtual counseling with Christian professionals to meet your mental and emotional health needs.