I struggle with anxiety; sometimes, I feel like the only Christian who struggles with crippling and paralyzing anxiety. But that is NOT true. In my own research of looking more into the integration of faith and mental health, a lot of people struggle with anxiety — in many various forms. You are not alone. Feel free to reach out to me via the contact page or in Instagram DM for any questions or just want to chat.

This isn’t a blog post that will only say, “pray about it.” I love and hate that advice; on the one hand, prayer is a powerful tool and our first instinct as Christians should be to pray. But for those struggling with crippling anxiety, the type of anxiety that can paralyze you and get in the way of daily life and routines, may not be “solved” with just one quick prayer. I urge you to talk to someone, whether it be a trusted adult, friend, or licensed therapist/counselor. This blog post isn’t sponsored, but apps like BetterHelp or Faithful Counseling may be beneficial to your mental health.

But my tips on what you can do when you’re stuck in the middle of those anxious thoughts, even when you can’t find a way out? Pray. I know it sounds counterintuitive for me to say to “pray about it” when I literally say in the previous paragraph to do more than just pray about it, but in the moment, I’ve found that prayer really is a powerful tool. It may not “solve” all of your problems or anxiety or worries at once, but with some practice, it can be freeing to just lift that burden to God.

“I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” —Psalm 16:8 (ESV)

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” —Psalm 62:5-8 (ESV)

“When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” —Psalm 94:19 (ESV)

“The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?” —Psalm 27:1 (ESV)