The Dilemma of Anxiety

by: Dave A. Ornado, Ed. D.

Anxiety is very recognizable to everyone; it is a problem of epidemic proportions. Yet as prevalent as it is, anxiety or worry is one of the most counterproductive things we can do. Worry is like a rocking chair that gives you something to do, but it won't get you anywhere. How should the God-believing person move towards the problem of worry? What can we do about it? Perhaps by first is understanding the problem. Anxiety exists when somebody encounters distress about future uncertainties. It is characterized by mental agitation and uneasiness which may be mild or severe. It primarily has to do with what may happen in the future, either near or distant. Anxiety is caused by real or imagined threats to our well-being. We feel vulnerable and inadequately protected against threats such as social rejection, physical injury or disease, poverty, death, and a wide range of other threats.

Anxiety has three main elements namely: a) Insecurity- something bad is going to happen; b) Helplessness: there is nothing I can do; c. Isolation: there is no one to help me. These causes may operate individually or in various combinations. Emotionally, they cause just as much anxiety if they are imagined as if they were real. Anxiety is a form of fear, and must be recognized as such. With an understanding of the problem, we are closer to overcome it. The best remedy is to deal with the problem's causes, not just its symptoms. What is the truth about insecurity, helplessness, and isolation with regard to the Christians? While the Christian may lack confidence, the reality is that he is very confident as promised in Hebrews 4:16 which states that “ Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” While the Christian may feel helpless, the reality is that he has great help according to Psalms 27:5 “ For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.” The remedy for anxiety is complete trust and confidence in God's ability to deal with anything that threatens us. The more we learn about God, the more we know His infinite power and His concern for us. God has promised peace of mind to those who are willing to commit their anxieties to Him. Learn to live one day at a time. Proper use of today diminishes anxiety about tomorrow. Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its worries and sorrows; it only empties today of its strengths. Worry is the interest paid on trouble before it falls due.
Many, if not most, of our fears will turn out to be unfounded. Anxiety and idleness often go hand-in-hand. Despair is a form of laziness. Blessed is the person who is too busy to worry in the daytime, and too sleepy to worry at night Much good can be accomplished, even in adverse circumstances, if we will quit concentrating on what cannot be done and do what can be done. According to Ralph Waldo Emerson, don’t waste time in doubts and fears; spend yourself in the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour's duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow it. Our great business in life is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand. There is no tranquilizer as effective as the knowledge that we have done our best and there is no pillow as soft as a good conscience.