Everyone knows what it feels like to experience day to day nervousness that shows up right before we need to speak in public, start a new job, or take a test. These types of daily stressors are relatable to us all and to an extent represent the adaptive side of pressure that can make us focus and prepare for those situations. In its worst form, however, severe anxiety is a crippling emotional state that can quickly plunge us into dark places, that then become difficult to escape. Anxiety at its worst took on many different forms during the COVID-19 pandemic leaving many of us shaken for the well-being of our newborns, children, spouses, aging parents, friends, loved ones, ourselves, and the world at large. Now more than ever, we have come to see how overwhelming severe anxiety can be in all areas of our existence. It shows up in our bodies as debilitating physical symptoms such as restlessness, racing heart, muscle tension, insomnia, fatigue, and shortness of breath. It shows up in our minds as a persistent worry, dread, and belief that the worst will overtake us. It manifests in our spiritual lives, leaving us depleted, second guessing our relationship with God, and challenging the very anchors of our faith. The threads that anxiety weaves are so intertwined it is often difficult to distinguish the physical symptoms from the emotional, or spiritual. Understanding the nature of anxiety- what it is, how it functions, its intended purpose-is essential if we are to move away from a dysfunctional relationship with this uncomfortable emotion towards a place of management and success. In fact, when used to our advantage, anxiety can contribute to our protection, motivation, growth, love, and sense of belonging. Despite its questionable reputation anxiety serves a purpose and merits our attention and understanding. Let’s dive into the nature of this often misunderstood emotion to demystify its power.
Why do I feel anxiety in my body?
At its core, anxiety is a traceable, tangible, measurable chemical release throughout the body. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and gamma-aminobutyric are specifically believed to be linked to mood and anxiety. There are also a few hormones/neurotransmitters linked to anxiety that sometimes require medical intervention such as the thyroid hormone. It is well documented that this hormone needs to be properly regulated in order to prevent anxiety. Low vitamin D is another interesting culprit when it comes to managing this emotion. The biochemistry of anxiety has much to tell us and reminds us that we are holistic beings. That is, we are both mind and body and both of these areas need to be addressed when it comes to the treatment and management of anxiety.
Do you Need Counseling?
How do we define anxiety then?
Now that we know that anxiety is a traceable physiological process that takes place within the body, we can move on to the interpretation we ascribe to this experience. The American Psychological association defines anxiety as “an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure.” We name our experience anxiety, our heavy thoughts as worry, and the physical reactions as tension. Once again, we see the interplay of this throughout our entire being.
What about anxiety and faith?
Luke 22:39-46 is perhaps one of the strongest examples of the severe overwhelm we can experience on earth when the author declares that Jesus was so stressed that his sweat became like drops of blood. This experience is known as hematohidrosis, a rare medical condition in which a human being sweats blood precipitated by extreme levels of stress that rupture the capillaries in our body. Throughout all of these physical reactions, the passage beautifully describes Jesus Christ as praying earnestly. Despite the profound impact that anxiety would exert over his body, Jesus pressed on in prayer, strengthening his spirit to support what his body and mind would need to endure on his way to the cross. Which brings me to the following points:
-
-
- Anxiety running through our bodies is not indicative of lack of faith. It is simply a physical experience that is traceable and measurable. It can be a response to a real or preserved circumstance that is meant to grab our attention and increase our chances of survival.
- Faith is not connected to our feelings, which are transitory. Faith is a cognitive choice whereby we continue to declare that we believe regardless of how we feel at any given point in our journey. Whether I am feeling restless, or not, that doesn’t change what I have chosen to believe; God knows that our bodies will experience a wide range of emotions and doesn’t focus on something like the adrenaline levels rushing through our veins as a measure of our faith in Him. If you have experienced anxiety in its worst forms, know that your Heavenly Father understands. He designed your body and can relate to the worst pain points we can experience as human beings. You’re seen, held, and loved by Him.
- You’re created as a holistic being that needs intervention in the three areas that intersect when we experience severe anxiety: body, mind, and spirit. When these three areas receive the attention that they desperately need, wonderful healing can take place. You do not need to navigate this misunderstood emotion alone. Help and relief is possible. I wholeheartedly believe that healing in our body, mind, and spirit can help us arrive at a place where we can tame severe anxiety.
- In its adaptive form this emotion can serve as a needed signal that supports our existence, safety, and connectedness. Anxiety can be successfully managed, to where it becomes a transitory emotion, that signals and leaves. Severe anxiety does not have to become your day to day companion. That was not its original purpose and design. If this has become the new normal, then seeking support can be a powerful path towards healing.
-
If you would like support in the management of anxiety, continue to follow this page, and don’t hesitate to reach out. My prayer is that today you find relief in what you have read, that it ministers to your spirit, brings new ways of thinking about anxiety, and instills hope into your entire being.
