Daily Devotional: How to Combat Anxiety
Originally Broadcast on Daily Devo on November 1, 2019
I have struggled with depression and anxiety off and on throughout my entire adult life. I heard a pastor share a message a few weeks ago that really frustrated me, because he said something to the effect of, “If it’s big enough to be anxious about, it’s big enough to pray about.”
#OfCourse!
I would assume this man has not had much experience with anxiety or depression, because as most Christians who experience these two things would tell you, we DO PRAY ABOUT IT.
I wish I could just say a prayer and my anxiety would disappear into thin air sometimes - wouldn’t that be wonderful?
Instead, I’m often balled up on the couch or on my bedroom floor crying out to Jesus - “Please lift this from me, Lord. Take this away from me!”
Instead of immediately lifting it, He often lets it linger. Not forever. But long enough that I learn some practical, real-life steps on how to combat it.
One of those steps, I’ve found, is cultivating a heart of thankfulness and gratitude.
When I’m so focused on my own problems, I forget the wonderful things that I have going on at the same time. It’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned over the past few years - that opposing things like joy and sadness, abundance and lack, and grief and happiness can co-exist at the same time.
So… I don’t have to forcefully push my anxiety aside. If you have anxiety, you know that doesn’t work anyway!
But what I can do is shift my focus. I let the anxiety exist - but I choose to focus on the things I’m grateful for instead.
I may be anxious about my kids, but I am also thankful for the gift of their sweet little hearts in my life. I may be anxious about work, but I am thankful for the work that I do have. I may be anxious about aging and my health, but I am thankful for the 33 beautiful years I’ve been gifted thus far, and that the Lord has seen fit to keep me alive and well.
Do you see where I’m going with this?
I challenge you to try to shift your focus today. Instead of focusing on your anxiety, look towards the things you’re thankful for, and watch as God begins to take the boulders off of your shoulders. You’ll feel a real physical difference!
For more on combating depression and anxiety, you can check out my bestselling Amazon book, “The Balance Beam: One Woman’s Life-Changing Guide to Eliminating Stress, Anxiety, and Overwhelm.”
God bless you today, my friend!