If You Find Yourself Struggling with Anxiety or Depression Today… First and foremost, you are not alone. I’ve had several bad nights of sleep and have felt on the verge of a panic attack for over a week now. I can’t put my finger on why, but for years I’ve battled through cycles of this. Even while covering it in prayer, going to counseling, taking medication at times, and doing “all the right things.” So, I want you to know that you are never alone to your very core. There is a God who loves you just are you are. There are churches, communities, and people at arms length who will surround you in your season of struggle and hold you up when you are weak. I sent my husband a text this morning that said, “Sorry I suck.” Because it’s so tempting to buy into the lie that needing help or confessing your struggle with anxiety or depression makes you weak. Here was his reply in case you need this reminder too- “You don’t suck.” You are not a burden. By keeping this inside, you’re not only eating away at your sanity, you’re robbing someone, possibly even an entire community from the opportunity to bless and carry you. "But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.” -Ephesians 5:13 If this season feels exceptionally dark to you, bring it to the light. It may feel like only a glimmer at first, but the night will give way to morning. Here are some practical ways to start... 1. You could be struggling because an intense season of stress, change, hurry, and busyness has left you in consistent fight or flight mode. Your serotonin (happy brain chemical) is all pushed into the back of your brain and isn't circulating well. Somethings that could immediately help are:
2. Your anxiety or depression could be caused by negative thought patterns that you have allowed to take root in your brain. You can uproot negative thought patterns. The Bible tells us to renew our minds (Romans 12:2) and dwell on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). Culture often calls this “the power of positive thinking.” While it seems new-age, the concept of rewiring our brains is ancient. God asks us to actively take thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) which makes me think that if we’re being reactive instead of proactive to our mental process, we’ve already lost the battle. Here’s what has worked best for me. I create a chart. On the left, I write any lies I’m believing. In the middle, I pen any false agreements I have made with those lies. On the right hand side, I jot down Biblical based truth for that area. An example would be. Lie- I’m anxious about sleep tonight. What if I don’t sleep and I’m a terrible mother, employee, and wife tomorrow? False agreement- I’m only worth my work. Truth- My identity is not in my performance. God will sustain me in times of weakness. He grants me sleep and keeps me safe. Other things that are helpful are meditating, seeing a counselor or therapist (especially if there is trauma in your past), turning off devices at least an hour before bedtime, and journaling. Create healthy mental hygiene. Just like you take a shower and clean your body, you need to take inventory of any dirt or build up in your brain and clean in out. 3. Your battle with anxiety and depression could be spiritual as well as physical. All over the Bible we find people who are tormented by evil spirits. I don’t say this to freak you out. I just want you to be aware of the power that you hold in the name of Jesus to dismiss what’s dark. I think of King Saul who was “tormented by an evil spirit” in the book of 1 Samuel. He summons David into his court to play the harp for him. Every time, when David played music “the evil spirit would go away.” Scripture states several times that, through Jesus, we have authority over demons (Luke 10:17). In my personal experience, speaking the name of Jesus, listening to worship music, singing, and being in corporate worship within my church will bring my spirit relief. There is also so much power in personal prayer and having people pray for you. Do not rush your healing. Sometimes God heals in an instant, and sometimes it is slow. I’ve seen both. I’m on the slow train. I know you, like me, want an immediate fix and that we live in a microwave society. However, there is purpose in the process. Instead of asking for deliverance, try asking God to join you in the middle of your struggle with anxiety and depression. What do you need to learn here? What next small step can you take? How do you see God equipping you with the tools needed to release others from bondage? I’ll leave you with a rephrasing from this line from the Elevation Worship song “Testimony,” “If (you’re) not dead then (God’s) not done.” Pray until something happens. Never give up. The sun still shines. There is life and life abundant. We’re going to make it through! Think about it:
Our Prayer: Lord, While we do know that you can do miracles in an instant, sometimes our struggles are not removed or they are released from us over time. So we start this prayer asking for immediate release from anxiety or depression and also for perseverance if our miracle is to be slow. We know that doing this hard work is preparing us to set others free and walk boldly in our faith, so we give you this season and ask that you join us right in the messy middle of it. Your Word says we have a sound mind so we proclaim that as we bind every thought and command it to submit to Your Words. May Your voice get loud in our lives as we quiet our spirit and find peace and rest in you. in Jesus mighty name we ask and pray, Amen
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AuthorKaley Rivera Thompson is an author, copywriter, Bible teacher, speaker, and worship leader. When she's not championing other women, cheering on the rising generation, writing or playing her guitar, Kaley loves to sip strong coffee, go on hikes, or take a day trip to the mountains with her family. She takes the most pride in being a mom to three little girls, Lina, Lili and Ceci. You can follow her on instagram at @kriverathompson or find out more on her website at kriverathompson.com. Archives
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