Have you ever been overwhelmed by pangs of worry? You spend anxious moments, pacing up and down, biting your nails, spending sleepless nights- tossing and turning left and right, dreading the thought of even spending another minute in this world unbearable?

You are not alone…

Millions of people in this world are so engulfed in pain and anxiety that they crumble and suffer in silence, wondering what to do, and whom to approach, for guidance.

Do not be afraid

Our Creator indeed had an inkling about the mental turmoil that His creation would go through during their time on earth. It’s surprising that as Christians, we miss the words of consolation and trust that God offers us when we are in distress. Have you ever noticed in the scriptures as to how many times God tries to tell His people “Do not be afraid”?

God wants so much more for us in this life than to be consumed by worry and anxiety and spend our days in hopelessness. 

Genesis 26:24- “I am the God of your father Abraham; do not be afraid”

Anxiety and worry plague us when we are focused more on worldly matters and not on God. 

How can spirituality help us?

Worry and anxiety can cripple our mind and thinking, and cause us to fall into mental illnesses that can sometimes render us incapable of functioning normally. They take our focus away from God, and make us question God’s ability to help us deal with it. 

If we look at scientific literature, we find that most mental health practitioners approach anxiety, depression, and fear with a pharmacological or Cognitive Behavioral Therapeutic view in mind. While these therapeutic methods have a solid base, and have helped scores of people lead normal lives, at times unconventional methods, and spirituality can offer much more in terms of long term benefits. Where medicine fails, God can take over.

Spirituality is a gift that very few get to taste in their lifetime. It is a deeply personal aspect of one’s life, and it can create transformations and experiences that are varied and enriching, not just for oneself, but also for others who are around you.  

The first step towards gathering yourself back when you go through the dark night of the soul is to surrender your life entirely to God.

 Despair makes you lose any perceived meaning in life. You slip into an abyss, that every breath that you take is excruciatingly painful and labored. While it is quite normal to have worries and tensions in our lives, should it consume your entire being, then we must sit up and take note. 

I am the way, and the truth, and the life

Bind all your worries to Jesus, and start practicing the art of letting go. Whatever we have to face in life, we face it with Jesus by our side. When we are troubled by anxiety, stop where you are, and run to His presence. Jesus already knows that your heart is troubled and is waiting for you to run to Him. Leave all your anxieties to Jesus who is preparing a safe haven for you in Heaven. The belief that someone is waiting for us gives tremendous hope and freedom from all kinds of situations in life.

“HOPE” is the first step to recovery. Hope for a better future; hope for living a long and fulfilling life; hope that God is going to take care of everything, no matter what…

Once you gain hope, you will start seeing things from a different perspective. Aspects of life that you have missed before will start to reveal themselves in front of you. Belief in a certain power that is higher than ourselves, creates a positive outlook in our minds, that invariably leads to healing of the body and spirit. This is exactly why people who are more rooted in religious activities and spiritualism tend to weather storms easier, and live longer and happier lives.

This is also the reason why at times, when all kinds of therapy and treatment methods are rendered hopeless,  prayer and spirituality can dramatically bring a person back to his joyful and healthy state again. We call this ‘Miracle’. A miracle happens only when we start believing in a higher power- Jesus, who promised to be by our side till the end of the world.

Faith in itself can re-route our brain map, and re-create a positive bend of mind. Our emotional reactions are tamed and transformed into affirmative expressions, throwing depression and anxiety into the winds. Isn’t it amazing that God can do such wonders in our lives where medicine and therapy have failed?

But remember, a spiritual life is by no means an easy life. 

When you decide to follow God’s path, your soul is immediately vulnerable to many trials and tribulations. Temptations would be thrown in front of you, and the danger of the dark world will lurk closer to you, keeping a close watch on your steps. When you stumble and fall, they will strike, leaving you gasping for life. The one who is focused on God can easily resist such challenges, and keep their focus centered on God. 

Are you still grappling with fear, and worrying about your future? Reach out to our loving Father in Heaven as He is the only one who can help us heal and stay in tune.

Amen