The anxieties of today threaten to undo us from the moment our eyes peel open to the laying of our head on the pillow again. The spaces between are bursting with alarming news headlines, interpersonal stress, unresolved issues at work, and all manner of troubles. We may notice signs of overwhelm as we experience nervous energy, disrupted sleep, and other forms of tension in our bodies. The list of things we could be anxious about grows longer each day.
Problems
When we bring our anxious thoughts to the Lord in prayer, or search the Scriptures for direction, we sometimes find ourselves frustrated or disappointed. We look for a word of comfort, instructions for relief, or reassurance when things remain unsettled. We may fear sharing these concerns with a friend or asking for help because we have known the defeating pain of the reductionistic application of biblical truths.1 Ultimately, we can grow anxious about our anxiety, turning further inward on ourselves.
Alternatively, we may have sought out every form of “anxiety management” we could find in our internet browsing, from calming exercises to visualization techniques and everything in between. Perhaps we experienced a measure of relief but found it was short-lived. Grappling with the persistent problem of our anxious thoughts, we begin to wonder if change is possible.
Perspectives
Our anxieties can become the perspective from which we view life. We rehearse the details, memorize the features, and succumb to the narratives of our particular anxieties. Life becomes darker and heavier as our gaze fixates on the unpredictable and unsettling concerns looming before us. Over time, we lose our ability to distinguish between what is troubling and what is threatening.2
How can we interrupt spiraling cycles of anxious thinking? How do we shift our gaze from what is distressing? Unable to get unstuck, we realize we need help from a source outside ourselves. While this may feel uncomfortable, we know that it tracks with the pattern we see in Scripture. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus interrupted the anxious and troubled perspectives of those around him by offering his presence.3 He didn’t dismiss their anxieties, or instruct them to simply think differently. No, he gently reminded them of his nearness, drawing their gaze from what was uncertain and unclear to who was with them.
An Invitation
Jesus moves toward us today, through various means, sometimes offered in the presence of another person. A skilled and trusted voice speaking into our situation can be an insightful resource in adjusting our perspective. As we experience supportive listening and care, we grow in our ability to discern next steps and build lasting hope even when life remains hard. Counseling can guide us to take a closer look at the causes and symptoms of our anxiety, assess its frequency and intensity, and help us gain a wider view of its impact. Counseling can be a tangible expression of God’s grace in reorienting our perspective.
At Fieldstone Counseling, we view counseling as an invitation to consider, receive comfort, and be helped. We desire to serve as companions in God’s transformative work in people’s lives. Our experienced team offers biblically-based, Christ-centered, and clinically informed counseling. If you find yourself haunted by anxious thoughts, or stuck in cycles of worry and weariness, perhaps it’s a good time to consider asking for help. We currently have openings and would love to match you with a counselor suited to your request for care. You can visit our website for more information and begin the intake process.
- For a helpful reference, see here. ↩︎
- Dangers exist and sometimes a threat we face is prompting us to take wise action. ↩︎
- See Mk. 4:35-41; Lk. 10:41-42; Jn. 14:12. ↩︎
Melissa Affolter has served in various aspects of counseling and discipleship ministries for nearly twenty years in the local church.
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