Empowerment Through Faith: Conquering Anxiety with Christian Counseling
When was the last time you met with a friend and all you could talk about caused you anxiety? You focus on what has happened the last 30 days that makes you feel powerless. It seems apparent that God is not protecting you from all the suffering. You can’t concentrate; your energy is low; you are irritable; and you can’t get a good night’s sleep. What about tomorrow? You’re cutting back on social contact because you are feeling paralyzed by fear. Integrating your faith with your mental health care by getting Christian counseling is a means to conquer anxiety.
Understanding Anxiety
Anxiety is an emotion that spans everything from small to Hulk-size fears. Anxiety can be transient or persistent. Anxiety is more than fear, it’s anticipating future threats. Anxiety disorders happen because “people typically overestimate the danger in situations they fear or avoid.” Panic attacks are a type of fear response. Usually, anxiety disorders develop in childhood and tend to persist if not treated (DSMV p 189).
Anxiety Is Everywhere
In 2019, anxiety was the dominant mental health disorder. According to the World Health Organization, 3% of the world experiences some type of anxiety disorder. Social anxiety was 7 % of the US population as noted bytack the American Psychological Association in 2013. Social anxiety shows up as fear in social situations. The person fears being scrutinized and evaluated negatively. Performance anxiety is a subtype of social anxiety. It impairs people’s daily activities at work and home (DSMV pp. 204, 206). In older adults, social anxiety may display as a medical symptom.
The Role of Faith in Mental Health
Since ancient times overcoming life challenges was accomplished by choosing faith. Old Testament people who embodied faith are listed in the Hall of Faith (see Hebrews 11). Jesus Christ describes a countercultural picture of mental health in the Beatitudes of Matthew 5. Following Jesus means taking this teaching to heart and claiming its benefits today, such as blessing, comfort, and the kingdom of God. Jesus embodied the Way through His life on earth. Today Jesus empowers people by showing God’s love for the entire world through the work of the Holy Spirit.
How does Christian counseling empower you to fight anxiety?
The emphasis in Christian Counseling is integrating biblical principles into therapy. Strategies for overcoming anxiety in Christian Counseling include:
Establish trust in the counseling room
Teach about safety through a daily relationship with God.
Use prayer and meditation as coping mechanisms.
Apply cognitive-behavioral techniques with a Christian perspective:
Memorizing Scriptures - As a man thinks, so is he.
Using Scriptures to battle the enemy (spiritual warfare).
Doing more of what works in life, as defined in the Bible.
Encourage finding support from spiritual communities (church, bible studies, small groups, para-church organizations)
Emphasize forgiveness, self-compassion, and surrender to God's will.
Take steps today for your healing. Reach out to a Christian counselor for support. Call 720-577-5985 or schedule a free 15-minute consult.
For further resources:
Practical steps for finding a Christian counselor in Denver.
Tips for preparing for counseling sessions and discussing faith-related concerns.
