Dear Christian Who Struggles With Anxiety
As I was searching online to find some detailed information about Christians and anxiety, I ran across this wonderful article. The author, Gretchen Saffles, is a Christian woman who has struggled with anxiety much of her life. This posting is a condensed version of a letter shew wrote to Christians who, like her, struggle with anxiety. My prayer is that it will be a blessing and benefit to you.
From Gretchen
I’ve wanted to write this for a while, but I haven’t quite found the words to say. My struggle with anxiety has been a vulnerable journey. I once feared that I would be judged for battling anxiety as a Christian leader in women’s ministry. However, when we hesitate to share about God’s rescue, we give Satan victory. Christ’s definitive rescue on the Cross is still available to us today. He still has the power to shatter strongholds. Fearing the Lord ultimately triumphs over the fear of man. My fear of God has increased since the days when I was too afraid to share. So here goes… my heart in writing as a testimony that God saves, and he is powerful enough to redeem you from the stronghold of anxiety.
I know the war within, the wrestlings of your heart. I’ve felt the torrent of thoughts that can seem unrelenting, the profound guilt for having anxiety while at the same time loving Jesus. I know the battle to cover up your brokenness, to sweep the struggle under the rug, and to continue to act as if you have it all together. I understand the lies that imprison you in shame, the accusations the enemy hurls at your soul day after day. I’ve lived with the misguided beliefs that “Christians never struggle,” “good Christians never fear or worry,” and “Jesus followers don’t give way to ‘bad emotions.’”
I Lived The Lies
For most of my life, I believed these lies wholeheartedly. I was living like a Pharisee at heart, trying to earn the love of my Father in heaven. I was not truly grasping the free gift of grace found in Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9). After I surrendered my life to Jesus twenty years ago, I thought I’d never struggle with sin again. After all, I had the answer—I had Jesus. What I didn’t grasp until much later was the truth that, although I am already free, whole, secure, and made new in Christ, the full reality of this transformation is also progressive, a daily renewal as I am sanctified to become like Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
While I am already these things because of Christ’s shed blood that covers my life, I am also not yet perfect—still awaiting full glory with Jesus in eternity. Oh, how I cannot wait for the day when anxiety will be forever put to rest and peace will be forever blessed (Revelation 21:4)!
God Has The Power To Heal
The struggles of your heart are real, but your Savior’s power to heal is stronger. If he was strong enough to conquer death, then he is surely strong enough to conquer the stronghold of anxiety. But this victory will not be overnight.
You are a work in progress, under construction, becoming more like Jesus through every tear shed and trial survived. When you fail, God doesn’t look at you with disdain or disappointment. He sees his Son covering your sins—past, present, and future. He is remaking your heart, renewing your mind, and reviving your soul as you come to his Word of truth (Romans 12:1-2). You are not a failure in Christ because he is at work within you, waging war on your behalf and leading you toward eternal victory. Ultimately, you are a victor because Christ has already won the battle, and his victory is now yours (1 Corinthians 15:57).
[I’ll continue with the remainder of this article in my next posting]
Christian Counseling For Anxiety
Soul health and spiritual maturity cannot be separated. Our counselors are ordained Christian ministers as well as certified and licensed Christian counselors. We are able to help you experience freedom from shame, anxiety, depression, or marriage issues with methods that are purely Christ-centered. Please click on this link to learn much more about how our Christian counseling in Louisville, Kentucky can help you become a more authentic follower of Christ, and help you find freedom from identity dependence.https://lifetrainingcounseling.org/
Life Training offers convenient sessions at https://lifetrainingcounseling.org/depression-counseling/our office in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as online counseling via Zoom or FaceTime. Our non-profit counseling practice has had an outstanding track record from over a decade helping men and women, individuals and couples who are ready to move beyond anxiety, depression, and conflicts in marriage or other relationships find hope and healing in their lives. Contact us today at 502-717-5433, or by email at drdave@lifetrainingcounseling.org