Scriptures & Tips for Combating Anxiety
Anxiety can be an extremely tough subject to not only talk about, but deal with. I’ve personally experienced anxiety throughout my ENTIRE life, whether it’s before speaking at big events, shooting campaigns, being in uncomfortable settings, situations or simply feeling off balance and not knowing why. For someone that experiences anxiety in my daily life, it can be a bit challenging-- however, I’ve found various ways to help me combat, cope and reduce it and I want to share them with you -- especially during times like now! Below are eight things I practice to combat my anxiety, check them out and let me know if any work for you as well!
PRAY and READ your word, to remember GOD’S PROMISES!
First and foremost — The Bible goes on to tell us in the book in Philippians chapter 4, “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Remembering the promises that God has made to me regardless of what I may be facing in life always steers me and keeps me grounded and focused in knowing that my anxiety cannot and will not control me. It’s extremely important for me to read my Bible daily, as I am reminded of not only God’s promises, but fueling my mind with his word to all of us.
Other Scriptures to meditate on:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ~ Isaiah 41:10
“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
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” ~ Joshua 1:9
“Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” ~ Luke 12:22-26
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” ~ Deuteronomy 31:6
“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, for I myself will help you,' declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” ~ Isaiah 41:13-14
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”…He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you…For he will command his angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways…“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him…” from Psalm 91:1-16
Be assured, He is with you in whatever you face, in the turmoil and struggles, amidst the anxious thoughts and the worries of life. He is there, strengthening, helping, and He holds you in His hands.
God is greater. He gives us the power to live courageously, boldly, fearlessly in this life, when many things that surround us would tell us to be afraid. His truth whispers strong and sure to the deepest core of our spirits.
Be intentional about what goes into your mind!
Philippians 4:8 says this: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” This is one of my favorite scriptures simply because it goes hand-in-hand with the idea of “what you think, you become.” I strongly believe in manifestation and thinking positive and clear thoughts in order for positivity to manifest into my life. When I cloud my mind with negative thoughts, it causes me to worry which only makes me even more anxious, instead-- I practice being intentional about feeding my mind with positive thoughts and energy.
Turn off the noise!
Sometimes silence is needed and you need to isolate temporarily. My anxiety tends to become worse with stimulation. I’ll let you in on a secret even my friends don’t know. If I’m going somewhere to meet other people, I drive myself so I have an escape plan. Most of the time I don’t need to use it, but it makes me feel safe to know I have an immediate getaway. So you find that thing that helps me feel safe and secure in whatever uncomfortable situation you may be in!
Practice breathing techniques!
This is a BIG one for me! Whenever I am bombarded with anxiety, I stop and take several deep breaths. This allows my heart to racing, my mind to stop wandering, and to bring me back down to a state of tranquility and calmness. Whenever you’re feeling anxious, take some time to take a few slow, deep breaths and remind yourself that everything is going to be OK-- reassurance is key is combatting your anxiety.
Organize!
Cleaning, sorting, and rearranging gives me a goal to set my eyes on and something to focus on. Bonus, you also get a completed project to feel proud of.
Learn your triggers!
Identifying the things that trigger your anxiety can help you proactively fight an oncoming panic attack — the physical response to stress. Is it finances, looming deadlines, or piles of paperwork? Keep a record of when you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or anxious, and then pay attention to your symptoms and identify patterns.
Once you identify your patterns, you can make rational, informed decisions about what to do with your anxiety instead of letting it cascade into a full-blown panic attack. Oftentimes, it’s possible to reduce stress by preventing a trigger from turning into worse anxiety.
Practice self care!
Instead of self-medicating through unhealthy ways, practice mindful and constructive self-care. Make sure you get sufficient rest, eat nutritious foods that keeps your blood sugar steady, and take time to engage in exercises that relax your body. One of my favorite ways to practice self-care is to spend time with my family. Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed and anxious, spending time with my loved ones immediately calms me down and helps me regain my composure.
Look into finding a therapist
I am a huge advocate of going to therapy. I personally attend therapy sessions weekly, and let me be the first to tell you-- it has made a huge difference in how I combat my anxiety and just my entire life in general. Having someone that you can talk to about certain situations in your life as they give you non-bias, real and authentic advice is a total game-changer. If you’re looking for a licensed therapist in your area, browse through therapyforblackgirls.com, which is where I found mine!
Let me know some things you practice to combat your anxiety in the comments below!