by Donna Gibbs
“My anxiety is getting the best of me”. Anxiety is a common thorn in the flesh. But left unleashed and untamed, anxiety is much more than just a thorn. It becomes a torturous enemy that interrupts daily functioning. Anxiety can shrink your world as you seek to avoid the people and places that create the physical symptoms. Symptoms like shallow and rapid breathing, sweaty palms, dizziness, nausea, upset stomach, and headaches. And then there is the panic attack, which feels more like a heart-attack than anxiety. A panic attack will scare you into thinking that it can kill you. But it’s important to remember that it can’t. It is a powerful deceiver.
Anxiety is always future focused. When we think ahead with the filter of anxiety, we think catastrophically. Our minds go to the worst possible scenarios, as if preparing for those conditions could help in any way. We become immobilized by fear. Ironically, we mostly fear the next time we’ll experience anxiety, so we work diligently to avoid any potential trigger. And in doing so, we feed the monster, and give it more and more power to bully us into a corner.
Certainly there are some biological and chemical contributors to anxiety, and often times those contributors must be addressed for full freedom, but there are also some tools that we can use to manage those intimidating physical symptoms. Tools like the one below:
Consider your most recent anxious thought. Is Jesus there? Probably not, because our anxious thoughts typically involve us looking ahead without seeing Him in our future. But what happens when we envision the future with Him in it? Our anxiety shifts, our bodies calm, and curiosity is born.
Curiosity allows us to embrace the future as an adventure, not a torture chamber. Curiosity allows us to dream. Curiosity is healthy (at least in most settings – but we can discuss more of that later!) To the contrary, anxiety is a toxic attempt at catastrophic preparation. If you want to make the shift from anxiety to curiosity, allow your physical symptoms to simply be your warning, much like a warning light on the dash of your car. And then invite Jesus into your thoughts about the future. Meditate more on Him than the circumstance. Each time you ponder a disturbing circumstance, make sure you envision Him as the one in charge. Because He is in control. He is Sovereign God. He is present in your future, and in your circumstances.
Today starts a new journey. It’s Day One of learning to cage your anxiety and unleash your curiosity! Let the journey begin!
Donna Gibbs, co-owner of Summit Wellness Centers, PLLC, is author of the recent releases, Silencing Insecurity and Becoming Resilient. Donna has authored numerous other books, and is commonly featured on radio broadcasts across America, and occasionally internationally as well. Donna has been providing individuals and families the hope and help they need for twenty years as a national certified counselor, board-certified professional Christian counselor, and licensed professional counselor supervisor. A member of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), she is a leading professional provider for Focus on the Family, Christian Care Network, r3Continuum, FINDINGbalance, and Samaritan’s Purse. Follow Donna’s author page athttps://www.facebook.com/DonnaGibbsResilience/ for daily encouragement, the weekly blog, and updates regarding events and speaking engagements.
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