ANXIETY: "am I sure I can do this?"

Hey readers, I am glad I am doing this once again. I hope this post blesses you just as it has blessed me. Please read carefully and with understanding.

Anxiety! Anxiety!! Anxiety!!! What exactly is this feeling and why does it have to occur? Why can’t I just know the outcome of things without having this fear of the unknown? How do I overcome anxiety? All these and many more questions are what this post will give answer to by God’s grace. I would put up responses and contributions of great minds concerning this topic.

What exactly is anxiety? It is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. I would like for us to notice some key word in this definition; ‘worry’, ‘nervousness’, ‘unease’, ‘something’, ‘uncertain outcome’. Most people feel anxious, panicky or fearful about situations in life, such as money problems, exams, interviews, getting a job, getting married and all; this is because we do not have the idea of the outcome until it comes and so we are eager to find out if it is going to be a positive or a negative outcome.

“Anxiety's like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you very far.” 

                                                                                                                       ― Jodi Picoult

Here are some contributions from my friends on their thoughts on what anxiety is:

·         “Anxiety is a feeling of fear, due to loss of confidence mostly because of a high probability of the unexpected happening. Although, it can also be because of the expected but there is just a loss of confidence.”  Temitope Ekundayo.

·         “Anxiety is a fear of something you mostly cannot affect with your action. So, it is born out of a feeling of helplessness at a situation.” Olusola Ojo

From these definitions, I can only deduce that anxiety will only do more harm than good and as such, we need to find a way out of situations like that when we eventually find ourselves in it. God has given us a specific instruction on anxiety; He said “be anxious for nothing…” It means anxiety is usual because the Bible confirms it. The Bible further admonishes us as regards what to do when the anxiety and depression seeks to grieve and grip our spirits. Phil 4 vs 6b – 7 says “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 minds through Christ Jesus.”

What this means is, whenever the devil raises up his ugly head by bringing up dirty thoughts, overcome him by praying and giving thanks to God understanding that He has been the one helping you out in similar situations. Personally, when I feel anxious, I engage myself with things I love doing, like singing or writing and some other times, when it is really intense, I make declarations.

As from today readers, I would like you to know that anxiety has nothing on you and when you are found in such situations, make these declarations:

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change and courage to change the things I can and wisdom to understand the difference.”

“I take no thought for tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself”

“The thoughts of God towards me are of good and not of evil to give me an expected end- which is to settle that which is troubling me”

Hope this helps someone out there…

Yours,

Kanyinsola