Anxiety

Topics in Christian Counseling

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:6-7, NIV

Quick Facts

Everyone struggles with general fear and anxiety, but anxiety becomes disordered when it occurs to the point of disabling one’s ability to function in life.
The symptoms of anxiety include: an inability to relax, tense feelings, rapid heartbeat, dry mouth, increased blood pressure, jumpiness or feeling faint, excessive perspiring, feeling clammy, constant anticipation of trouble, and constant feeling of uneasiness.
Anxiety can be triggered by negative thinking. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective at helping address thoughts that cause anxiety.
The anterior cingulate cortex is the part of the brain that helps regulate fear. A study showed that meditating on a God of love resulted in growth of the anterior cingulate cortex and helped participants manage and diminish anxiety.*

Actions Steps

Take an inventory of your triggers. Note what events tend to spike your anxiety, and how you respond.
Find a counselor who specializes in treating anxiety, specifically a counselor who uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Working with a counselor or using a workbook on anxiety (see resources), focus on identifying the thoughts that spike your anxiety, and develop positive patterns of thinking that are realistic, rational, and redemptive.
Meditate on God's love and goodness, praying with thankfulness according to Philippians 4:6.
Talk with your doctor about medication for managing anxiety, as well as non-medication alternatives that address potential physiological factors.

Scriptures

Book Recommendations

The Anxiety Cure by Archibald Hart
The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Anxiety: A Step-By-Step Program by William J. Knaus
Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World by Max Lucado
The Anxious Christian: Can God Use Your Anxiety for Good? By Rhett Smith

Bibliography

Clinton, Timothy E., and Ronald E. Hawkins. The Quick-Reference Guide to Biblical Counseling: Personal and Emotional Issues. Baker Books, 2009.
Jennings, Timothy R. “Anxiety Disorders.” The Popular Encyclopedia of Christian Counseling, edited by Timothy E. Clinton and Ronald E. Hawkins, Harvest House Publishers, 2011, pp. 201–203.

* "Dr. [Andrew] Newberg at the University of Pennsylvania has shown that when individuals aged 60 to 65 meditated 12 minutes a day for 30 days on a God of love, they experience growth in the ACC [anterior cingulate cortex] as measured by MRI brain scans, reductions in heart rate and blood pressure, and improvement in memory testing. Meditating on any other God concept, such as an angry, wrathful, distant, or punitive god did not result in these positive outcomes"
(Jennings, 203).