Anxiety Does Not Make You a Bad Christian
By: Kierstyn Chambers
“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” — 2 Corinthians 12:9
It is a well known fact that many people suffer from anxiety. Although this is true, many Christians (also considered people, if I’m not mistaken) find themselves drowning in self-doubt, questioning the quality of their spiritual life when they suffer with anxiety. As Christians, we are not shielded from every trial that we face on earth, but we are equipped with the tools we need to get through them- prayer and the Bible. Unfortunately though, many people (myself included) tend not to take advantage of these tools when in the thick of mental health struggles. This is completely understandable because who would want to ask for help with something they believe is a punishment, particularly a punishment that they believe they somehow earned? What needs to be understood is that anxiety and other struggles in life are not punishments, they are necessary ingredients for you to become the person God has called you to be. Who has God called you to be? A person who can fulfill His purpose for your life. That is the difference between followers of God and everyone else; while other people just struggle, our struggles are used for our betterment. When you realize that your trials are building up your strength, you can meet them with less despair and more of an anticipation of what is coming next.
After the rain there is always a rainbow, so instead of beating yourself up because you don’t live the perfect cookie cutter life many Christians pretend to have, focus on God and the road ahead. You are not a bad Christian because your mind is riddled with anxious thoughts, you’re simply a person. You are a person who is going through a learning experience, you are a person who is being made stronger in your weakness and you are a person who is chosen by God. Just as it says in 2 Corinthians 12:9, you should “boast all the more gladly” in your weakness. You are being made strong by God! When you think about it, it is actually a pretty big flex. Another thing to try to remind yourself is that trials always pass. Yes, once you’re out of the thick of your anxiety you will still have some bad days but that’s just the life of a human being. Moreover, what you’ll notice about those bad days is that they dont hit you as hard, they don’t swallow you whole anymore and they’re not long lasting because you will be stronger, more at peace and just in a better place overall. Not every bad or unfortunate thing that happens is a punishment. Valleys are just a part of life and the lessons you have to learn to be prepared for your future.
Let’s pray!
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace, and thank You for making Your power perfect in my weakness. I pray that You would help me to remember that my anxiety is not a punishment or a reflection of my failure as a Christian but a trial that will result in strength and perseverance. I pray that You would be with me and hold my hand through everything that I will face. Help me to build my faith in You, Lord, so that I will not have to understand why something is happening but instead, trust that You will get me through it. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
