This is an anxious time. Whether you and I are aware of it or not, we are living in a constant state of anxiety. Circumstances are way beyond our control and the outcome is far from certain. Anxiety is a natural reaction in such times. Are you aware of yours?
Lexico.com defines anxiety this way: “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.” Isn’t that what we are in the middle of right now? Something with an uncertain outcome? How aware are you of the anxiety you are living with? What are your clues? Do you know?
When I was a baby believer in Jesus I was in that transition time of learning to be a grown-up outside the academic world and was in the midst of learning my first real job. I asked my pastor for prayer because I was eperiencing a strange discomfort. I felt like my tongue was swollen. A really weird feeling! I wasn’t sure what to do about it and, like most discomforts we face, I just wanted it to stop. As my pastor and a few others prayed for me, he shared that God had showed him that anxiety was causing me to rub my tongue angainst my teeth and that was the source of my trouble. That wasn’t what I expected! So, the problem wasn’t my tongue, it was anxiety. I wasn’t aware of feeling anxious, but that surprising and nebulous answer helped me begin to recognize it.
Over the many years since, it has been a source of help in identifying anxiety in me. From time to time I notice a constant tension in my jaw. When I recognize that feeling, it’s a clue that I am experiencing anxiety, even if I have not been aware of it. The tension makes me aware of it and I continue to grow in understanding what to do when anxiety comes to my attention.
I have learned to go to God with anxiety and to take a journey of discovery with Him. The tension indicator leads to questions that I process with God: What am I anxious about and why? What do I need to change?
I have also learned to do some practical things like slow down, breathe deeply and relax my jaw. That gives some temporary relief from the tension. But what I learned in that moment of revelatory prayer so many years ago is that the problem is not in my mouth or jaw, it’s in my mind and spirit. The key to really dealing with the anxiety is in dealing with the inside.
So, what about you? Has God given you some anxiety indicators? Are you aware of your body enough to recognize them? When thoughts race through your mind can you label them as anxiety? Thoughts have feelings attached to them. Becoming aware of anxiety doesn’t make it go away, but it begins a process that you don’t need to go through on your own.
Let me just say here, that I am talking about normal, everyday anxiety, not an anxiety disorder that has neurological roots. What I share here may help if you are experiencing an anxiety disorder, but you also may need some medical assistance. However, even that can be part of a process that can take you closer to God. Whatever steps you need to take, take the journey with Him into your anxiety.
Yes, easier said than done. I get it! I really do! Even recently I felt that tell-tale tension in my jaw, so here is how I handled it. Maybe this process will help you, as well.
Acknowledge the anxiety in God’s presence. In my time with God I settled my heart and allowed myself to become aware of His presence with me. Then I began to talk to Him about it. I recognized the tension as an indicator of anxiety, even though I wasn’t exactly sure what the root of it was. It would be easy to come to a conclusion on my own and blame it on the pandemic or some other external circumstance, but I knew that I needed God to show me the origin of my unrest.
Ask God to reveal the source. After acknowledging my anxiety I asked God to show me the source of my tension. “Ok, Lord, I am aware that this tension in my jaw stems from anxiety. So, where is this anxiety coming from?” As I spent some time in silence, listening to discern God’s voice in the midst of my own thoughts, I became aware of a highlighted thought that I recognized as God speaking to me. “The tension comes from expectations you have of yourself to accomplish certain tasks.” That led to some other revelations as I asked questions. “What am I expecting of myself? Where do these expectations come from? Are they self-imposed or am I trying to meet the expectations of others?” As God and I explored these questions together I began to recognize and understand my behaviors that were adding to the tension I was experiencing, which led to another question.
Address the real issue. The next question: “Father, how do I deal with this expectation? What do I do with this?” When I am in work mode, I am not very good at stopping. I don’t usually stop for lunch. It’s hard for me to slow down once I get started. I have been trying to stop and take a prayer break in the middle of the day and at the end of the day. Still working on doing that consistently. But I felt God answer my question with a direction to stop more frequently when I am feeling this kind of anxiety. Stop more frequently. Well, that’s a challenge! And He offered me this breath prayer: “My yoke is easy. My burden is light.” (Matthew 11: 28-30)
What is a breath prayer? It’s a type of prayer that has been used for centuries. Short and easy to repeat at intervals throughout the day. Breathe in, “Lord, Your yoke is easy.” Breathe out, “And Your burden is light.” For me that prayer is a reminder that when I am working with God instead of just for Him, He carries the load. There is no tension because I am not striving to meet my own expectations, or anyone else’s. I am working with Him to accomplish what is important to Him. “Lord, Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light.”
In this instance, the real issue for me was not the tasks I needed to accomplish, but my inner expectation of myself. This need to achieve is what caused my tension and anxiety. When I feel that push to keep checking items off my to-do list, I am less likely to stop and spend time in God’s presence. But I have learned that in order to experience His peace, I need to stop, spend time with Him and let Him reveal my own heart and thinking.
It will be different for you, my friend, but the principle is the same. Anxiety and tension is a clue that something in you is unsettled. We often try to fix anxiety by trying to fix the circumstances. But understand, the circumstances are not the real problem.
God promises His presence and His peace regardless of the circumstances in our lives or in our world. If I am not experiencing His presence and His peace, the problem is not that God is not keeping His promise. He is a Promise Keeper. He never breaks promises. The issue lies inside of me and, my friend, inside you. Unless you and I take the time to slow down, acknowledge the anxiety and ask God to reveal the source we will not recognize it and we won’t be able to address the real issue. Overcoming your feelings of anxiety begins when God helps you understand their origin. Like all our internal journeys, it’s too scary to ask these questions on our own! We need God’s guidance to understand ourselves and deal with what’s below the surface. Don’t go alone! Go with God!
There is a prayer in Scripture that can be a good guide in this process. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalms 139:23-24 NIV) I remember the first time I prayed it for real. I was terrified of what God might show me! But I have found Him to be a gentle guide who leads me through my own anxiety and into His presence.
It’s a journey worth taking, dear Friend!
Key thought: Anxiety can be God’s tool to draw me closer to Himself.
A Scripture to consider: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms 139:23-24 NIV
A YES Challenge: Are you feeling anxious? Spend some time alone in God’s presence and ask Him to show you the source of your anxiety. Remember the circumstances are not the source. The source is inside of you. Ask Him how to address the real issue.
Prayer: Father, I realize now that my anxiety is not caused by my circumstances, however difficult they may be. My anxiety comes from my fear of the unknown, or my desire to control outcomes. My peace comes from You, Lord. Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light. Help me to give up control and receive Your peace. Amen.