"Hi my name is Diane and I have anxiety." "Nice to meet you! My name is Satan. I'm so glad that you have anxiety and that it is working in your life! How has it impacted you so far?" "Well, I have to call out of work, fear is in every aspect of my life, and I have to lock myself in my room sometimes because if I'm around people I might have an attack." Satan replies, "Interesting! How about your relationship with God?" "My relationship with God? He seems too distant. He doesn't help me with my anxiety. It's like he just lets me drown in an ocean of fear" Diane says. "Would you say that anxiety is your identity? Something that you are now?" Satan asks. "Yes. How could it not? It seems everywhere I turn I can't help but get overwhelmed, have shortness of breath, weak knees, and uncontrollable crying. I've tried medicine, counseling, and breathing treatments. They worked for a little bit but the medicine had too many side effects, counseling made me feel shame, and I could never get ahold of my breathing due to the intensity of my anxiety attacks." Diane replied. "Wonderful! Here are some blog posts; "How people with anxiety love differently", "how people with anxiety relate to other people", "how people with anxiety are still really good people", and "how it's okay to have anxiety" Satan states. "Ahem!!", a booming voice clears his throat. Diane sees Satan run and turns around to see a big being who seems to have a bright glow all around him. "Hi, My name is Diane and I-" God interrupts, "Have anxiety?" Diane replies, "How'd you know I was going to say that?" "You see, I know everything. I'm God. And I know you are struggling with anxiety." "No, no, no. I'm not struggling with anxiety. I am a person with anxiety. Satan told me I should embrace it and gave me a lot of blog posts to read about how it's not a bad thing" God responds, "Diane, Satan is the Father of lies. I have seen you identify yourself as someone with anxiety but you don't have to anymore. (John 8:44)." "God, you don't understand. It's a community. This community helps me to survive." "My child, I help you survive. I give you life." "But God, my anxiety is real. It's not just something I use to get out of things I don't want to do." "Diane, my fearfully and wonderfully made child, I know. I know that some nights you can't sleep because you feel too much worry about the next day. I know that you get so overwhelmed that you stop breathing. I know you have so many emotions that you couldn't possibly stop crying. I know." "Okay then, what are you saying?" "I am saying that you don't have to do those things anymore. You don't have to claim anxiety." "What do I claim?" Diane asks. "You claim that you are my child. You cast your cares on mebecause I care for you (1 Peter 5:7). You trust in me when you are afraid (Psalm 56:3). Pray to me in every situation (Philippians 4:6). Let me be your light and salvation (Psalm 27:1)." God says. Diane replies, "It isn't that easy. I will still have anxiety. How am I supposed to fight it? I don't think I am strong enough." God answers, " You do not fight. I will. I will fight your battles if you are only still (Exodus 14:14). I am strong enough. I am with you always (Matthew 28:20). I will STRENGTHEN you and HELP you. I will UPHOLD you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10). I have got you. You are my child and I will not let you define yourself as someone with anxiety. You are someone with God in your heart, by your side, and fighting your battles now." Diane responds through tears, "Okay God. I trust you." Diane whispers to herself, "My name is Diane and God has got me."
