Imperfect Peace: Anxiety | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Imperfect Peace: Anxiety

from a biblical perspective

48
Imperfect Peace: Anxiety

Like everyone else, I struggle with anxiety. Ways I feel anxious are mainly through uncertainty. This feeling stems mostly from other people's thoughts and actions. As someone who obsessively needed to know what others thought about me so that I could control my environment, one screw out of place felt like my life would come crashing down. I was afraid of standing out and being my own person. Thankfully, I have found lasting peace and no longer feel tied down to my negative intrusive thoughts.

The first thing you need to realize is anxiety can destroy your life. It separates you from your friends and family, it discourages you from pursuing goals, and it removes all peace. I, personally, had been dealing with anxiety for so long, I didn't know anything else. I completely forgot about who I was and made my anxious ideas my identity. I hid it of course. Growing up, I had never met a Christian that openly talked about their worries and doubts because Christians are called to a life of peace and should be totally content with anything that's thrown their way!!! *sarcasm*. I was under the impression anxiety was just a puberty thing I would grow out of and one day. I thought I would wake up and feel like myself again. That was a fricking lie, and when I realized it I spiraled. I went looking for things to help, but it just made my anxiety worse. In reality, all I needed was God's presence. Here's what I discovered: you will always battle discontentment until you let Christ be all that you need. You can chase after everything you've ever wanted and it still won't be enough.

The reason anxiety exists is because we aren't worried about God's Kingdom, we're worried about ours. I had to understand that I'm not going to get everything I want in life. I can't stop people from making assumptions and I can't go back and change the past. The world is so clever at making us think we have control over our lives when in reality we can't do anything.

And if you're thinking "Oh shit, well what am I supposed to do now?"

Understand this, seek out God's righteousness and God will provide you with what you need. That doesn't mean you won't face hardships, but you will be better equipped to handle them. Philippians 4:7 says, "Peace of God will guard your heart and mind as you live in Christ Jesus." So any worrying thoughts or fear won't interrupt your life. Learn how to be content with whatever you have. The more we focus on ourselves, the less satisfied we feel. Why? Because you were created for way more than what is on this Earth. Don't do God's job at exalting yourself because He will do your job at humbling you.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

3673
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

450064
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

21987
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

44933
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments