Posted on February 6, 2010 - by Mary

Anxiety linked to not Communing with God?

Lately, it seems as if God has been putting people in my life who suffer from anxiety. I’m not talking mild anxiety either; anxiety that is so severe it causes physical illness, inability to sleep, fear of doing normal, everyday tasks, and emotional and/or mental breakdown when something seems to go wrong or change takes place in their lives. Most of these people are directly related to me or I work with them on some level.

I’ve been talking to them and doing some research on anxiety, I’ve come to realize that I too have suffered some anxiety in my life…but I never knew that’s what it was. Every once in a while, I would get this awful feeling over me, that I can’t even describe, and the only way to make it go away was through prayer or worship. I realize now, that awful feeling was anxiety. It would only last a few seconds or a few minutes at the very most and never caused me to become physically or emotionally ill. However, that is not the case with my relatives and friends.

In some cases, their anxiety stops them from enjoying normal social interaction, and in other cases, they get physically ill where they feel like they can’t breathe, or mentally ill to the point of depression or thinking they are going crazy. So, what causes this feeling inside of us? I believe one main reason is because we are not doing what we’re supposed to be, what we were created for. I believe another cause of anxiety is due to the fact that we’re not communing with God on a regular basis. I know for a fact, when I’m not reading the bible, praying and getting into worship on a regular basis, I get that awful feeling…that feeling of anxiousness.

One of my friends I was talking to about this admitted she has allowed work and a hectic schedule to get in the way of her regular quiet time with God, and thus her anxiety levels were at an all time high. Not only was she extremely busy, she was not getting into the Word, prayer and worship on a regular basis. So pile a hectic schedule on top of not communing with God and the level of anxiety can go through the roof. Psalm 94:19 says, “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” And 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” So, we need to be in communion with God on a regular basis in order to cast our cares upon God and to be consoled by Him.

So, if you’re dealing with anxiety, check yourself and be sure you are spending quality time alone with God in His Word, in prayer and in worship. He will banish your anxiety.

photo credit: usuallylaura

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