Anxiety & Faith
Happy Hump Day!
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been looking forward to the weekend ever since I started writing this post (aka Monday afternoon) and it seems like the days just keep getting longer :(
Today, I want to talk about something a little uncomfortable: experiencing anxiety as a Christian. Ooo, scary!
Now, raise your hand if you’ve ever sat in church and heard someone say, “If you struggle with anxiety, you need to check your heart to make sure you’re truly following Jesus.”
*Emily raises her hand.*
Here’s the thing—I’m pretty sure I’m going to heaven, but I still struggle with MAJOR anxiety. I’m talking about days filled with nothing but worry. And maybe you’re wondering, “Why is she writing about this if she battles the same thing I do?” Simple answer: because I’m imperfect. My hope is that by sharing my thoughts and feelings, I can help both you and myself find peace in the middle of the chaos.
At 22, worries pile up fast. Here are just a few thoughts that run through my head daily—maybe you’ll relate:
“What if this headache is cancer?”
“Oh no, my chest hurts. Am I having a heart attack?”
“What if I get into a car wreck today?”
“What if Jesus comes back right now—will He take me with Him?”
Sound familiar? If not, that’s okay—I like to joke that I’m just a little crazy. But honestly, if faith is supposed to bring peace, what am I doing wrong? And if I admit this struggle to other Christians, will they think my faith isn’t real? Will they see past all my fear and worry to recognize me as simply a girl who’s scared to let go and trust the Lord’s plan, even when it doesn’t match my own? Is my faith a true saving faith and is my relationship with the Lord true?
Here’s what I come back to:
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” – Romans 10:9-10
I’ve declared Jesus as Lord. I believe in my heart that He rose again. That makes me a daughter of the King, secure with Him for eternity. So why don’t I always see peace in my everyday life?
I know the Lord doesn’t shun me for my worry. I know He cares about me, that He draws near when I call. But inside my own head, it doesn’t always feel that way. Sometimes I imagine Him shaking His head, saying, “Emily, I’ve given you the answer over and over again—will you ever get it?”
And yet, when I pause, I remember the truth: the unchanging character of the God I serve.
Now, do I always pause and remind myself? Nope. Usually, my spirals end with tears, a mini breakdown, and some time spent hiding in my closet. But here’s what I’m learning: when we forget who God is, anxiety takes over. Healing begins when we shift our focus back to Him.
So let’s look at what Scripture tells us about His character:
God is GOOD: “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” – Nahum 1:7
God is STEADFAST & LOYAL: “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23
God is MERCIFUL & GRACIOUS: “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…” – Exodus 34:6-7
God is LOVE: “God is love.” – 1 John 4:8
Wow. The Creator—who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present—shows us goodness, loyalty, mercy, grace, and love. Me? I don’t deserve any of it. But He gives it anyway—right in the middle of my breakdowns, right in the thick of my fear.
And just to be clear—I don’t have this figured out. Anxiety has been a battle for me for six years. It’s messy. It’s hidden. Sometimes I get angry with the Lord for not taking it away. But here’s the truth: we live in a broken world. We are imperfect people. Yet Jesus placed Himself on the cross for us, and because of Him, we are saved.
So, how do we overcome anxiety? Honestly, I don’t fully know yet. I think it takes a mix of letting go and learning to trust. It’s reminding ourselves of God’s character, resting in the fact that we are fully known and deeply loved.
Is it easy? Absolutely not. But we keep going. Someone once told me, “If you’re still here and breathing, God isn’t done with you yet.” And here we are—so what might God want to do in your life today?
I’m praying for you, friend.
With love,
Em
