To the Girl Struggling with Anxiety

To the girl struggling with anxiety:

I feel you. You are not alone.

Anxiety can be crippling. Sometimes it's silent, creeping up on you and causing you to doubt. Sometimes it's loud, overtaking your thoughts and emotions. Sometimes anxiety is over the big, life changing things, and sometimes it's over the smallest of things. Sometimes anxiety just appears, and you don't know why or how it got there. Sometimes anxiety feels like the walls are closing in.

Anxiety can make you feel alone. Like you are the only one in the world facing this struggle. Anxiety can steal your peace and cause you to forget how good our God is and the amazing promises He has declared over your life. Anxiety can consume your mind, your heart, your life. Anxiety often damages relationships and health.

I know. I know anxiety can be a daily, hourly, moment by moment struggle. I've been there. It's actually kind of funny that I'm writing this post about anxiety, because I'm in the middle of the struggle right now. And it's hard.

But I want you to know that by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, anxiety does not have to declare victory over our lives anymore. I want you to know that we are not defined by our anxiety.

I know that in the thick of it, that sounds cheesy. It sounds unreal. It doesn't seem to change anything. I know. And while I don't know the struggle you're facing with anxiety right now, or how bad it is, I know that I've faced that battle more than once. I know that I've seen the ways anxiety has hurt me and my relationships and I know the ways I've seen God overcome even in the darkest situations.

Jesus knew we would face troubles. In John 16:33, He said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” He knew that there would be difficulty, but He also encourages us that He has overcome and claimed victory over those difficulties.

Over and over again in Scripture, dear friend, Jesus has offered grace and hope in the midst of anxiety.

"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

"Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” - Isaiah 35:4 (NIV)

"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)

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me". - Psalm 23:4 (NIV)

"No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us." - Romans 8:37 (NLT)

In all of these Scriptures, can't you see that Jesus wants to comfort you? He wants to bring you hope and strength and encouragement and victory. Sweet, sweet victory.

So how do we get there? How do we claim our victory over anxiety? It's not an overnight solution. There's not a five step plan I can give you to overcome your anxiety and be at peace all the time. It's different for everyone, but I want to challenge you to choose Jesus and cling to Him.

In anxiety, doesn't God feel so far? Doesn't it feel so difficult to believe from the depths of your soul that God is right with you when you feel like you're drowning? I know. But Christ has come through time and time again, sweet girl, and I know He is going to come through again. So seek Him in Scripture and cry out in prayer, even if it just looks like sitting before Him in silence or sobbing your eyes out. Fill your mind with these promises that He's given you and hold onto them like a lifeboat. I know, it seems hard right now.

Jesus chooses you in the midst of this battle. He's reaching out to you, and all you have to do is grab His hand. You don't need to have it all figured out or know the answers or be perfectly put together. In fact, it's good that you aren't. Jesus came to save those of us who aren't all put together, and when you grab His hand and say "Jesus, I need You", He pulls you into His arms and promises to walk this so very difficult walk with you. He promises to never leave you in the pain, and He promises that He will guide you out of this darkness. Jesus guarantees that one day, one day, you will be freed from these chains of anxiety.

How? How can He guarantee that? Well, my friend, He carried the weight of all our struggles on the cross. He hung up on the cross with the weight of all our sin, our burdens, our hardships, and yes, even our anxiety. When He died, carrying all our baggage, Satan thought he won. He thought that we would be stuck carrying the weight of our sin, burdens, hardships, and anxiety alone. But then, three days later, Jesus rose from the grave.

And on that third day, Satan was defeated. Jesus claimed victory over death. Over our struggles. Over our sin. And yes, even over our anxiety.

Jesus declares that there is victory over your anxiety. All you have to do is reach out and grab His hand.

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In my struggle with anxiety, worship has been one of the only things that helps pull me out of that pit. Just recently at church, two songs drew me closer to Jesus and helped remind me of the victory that Christ offers. I would definitely encourage you to check out "Resurrecting" by Elevation Worship and "Egypt" by CAIN and see how God speaks to you through these powerful lyrics!

Comment down below to share anything that encourages you when you're struggling with anxiety! This could be Scripture, songs, or whatever else that helps you. Let's uplift and support each other (1 Thessalonians 5:7)!