Share and Act to Overcome Anxiety
written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert.”
Those of us who believe that Donald Trump is damaging our nation’s future are experiencing damaging levels of anxiety. Instead of turning off the news or ignoring our emotions, the healthy way forward is to address your anxiety intentionally. Even before our present barrage of political destruction, Americans were already struggling. According to Hala Khouri’s book Peace from Anxiety, “Research suggests that anxiety is on the rise, with more than forty million people in the US-and millions more around the world-experiencing anxiety each year.”
According to The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “Anxiety” is “apprehensive uneasiness or nervousness usually over an impending or anticipated ill.” When we attempt to “gut out” our anxiety, it can reach out and damage our gut literally. Khouri warns anxiety “manifests as digestive issues, or headaches, or muscle and joint pain.” Rather than admit our painful emotions, we focus on the pain and try patching up the physical symptoms with medication. Yet, the medication masks our feelings, leaving us with the same emotional pain or making the anxiety even worse.
To address anxiety in a healthy manner, we should first name our feelings and not ignore the emotions. Second, we reduce our anxiety when we share our emotions. If you have a friend or loved one you trust, talking through your anxiety reduces its effects. Alone, you can journal your feelings. There is power in writing down your fears and their impact on how you feel emotionally and physically. Third, there is power in making a difference. If the present political situation is causing you stress, then writing your congressperson reduces your emotional pain. Simply put, when you share and act, you heal.
Finally, recognize that your anxiety is trying to tell you something. Your emotions tell you that something you care about is not occurring properly. We all have limited ability to change our world. Prayer is a powerful healing tool because God has control in ways we do not. Nurturing your spiritual life, keeping God close to your heart, and reminding yourself throughout the day that God is with you in this mess has healing power. Use your faith to heal your anxiety by sharing and acting in God’s name, and then handing over what you cannot change and let God be responsible. God works for good, and when we trust God, our anxiety is reduced.
