The Sounds of Silence: Anxiety (part 2)
… we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. -2 Corinthians 10:5
Taking our thoughts “captive” is more than good advice for holy living; it’s essential for good mental health!
It means learning to be intentional and in control over what we think and not allowing accidental, intrusive, obsessive, fearful, and otherwise negative thoughts to run rampant and unchallenged.
With practice, we can develop the habit of:
RECOGNIZING unwanted thoughts when they occur
Consciously REJECTING them in their tracks, and
Deliberately REPLACING them with positive, prayerful, and calm ones
Being aware of and challenging internal dialogue redirects the same mental energy we spend creating negative thoughts into creating positive ones instead.
It’s a habit worth cultivating because unchallenged anxiety eventually leaves a person feeling hopeless and immobilized. We have a powerful enemy who desires exactly that and is doing all he can to win our hearts and minds and defeat us …
but we have an even more powerful ally.
God wants our hearts and minds, too, and He tells us what kinds of thoughts we need to have in order to achieve the life He desires for us.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8
One of the most effective ways of managing anxiety is found two verses earlier:
Not FOR every situation but IN every situation.
This works like nothing else because it’s impossible for the mind to “count blessings” and entertain negative thoughts at the same time.
When things go wrong, thanking God for anything and everything we can think of that’s right, no matter how small it may seem, reminds us of God’s goodness, reassures us of His power, and helps us retain perspective in the midst of negatives beyond our control.
Helping each other deal with and defuse worry means encouraging and asking questions that force focus on the big picture and desired goal rather than getting wrapped up in small details. It involves creating positive instead of negative expectations and helping others do the same.
There are a host of debilitating anxiety disorders (be they biochemical in nature or stemming from deep psychological trauma) that must be addressed through professional therapy and/or appropriate medications. In those cases, helping means being compassionate, not assuming we know how the anxious person feels, and encouraging the suffering person to get the needed help in a kind, understanding, and non-judgmental way.
In all cases, helping means reminding each other that we are not alone.
In a world that offers none of the constancy our souls crave, the Presence of God is the one unshakeable, unchanging foundation we can count on to help us confront and overcome uncertainty, weather changes, ride out whatever storms, and defeat the disasters with which life challenges everyone.
When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:18-19
Reminding each other that God is and will stay beside us offers the security of knowing that we ultimately will be okay.
Until next time,
may the peace of God guard your heart and mind. Kim