Do you struggle with anxiety? If you do then you understand how upside down it can turn your life. If you don’t, then you probably can’t wrap your head around the thought of being paralyzed with fear and feeling sick to your stomach. I don’t go around telling people I have anxiety. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I am not embarrassed or ashamed. I just don’t think it is something that defines me. At least, not anymore! I have been praying about posting this and feel like God wants me to share something a little more on here. Anxiety is not a pretty thing, but you know what, if I can help at least one person reading this break FREE from it, then this post is more than worth it!

If you struggle with anxiety then you may be like I was when I used to think “am I the only one that feels this way?” When in reality, 40 million adults are affected by anxiety in the United States. WOW! Seems hard to believe though, you know why? Because people are afraid to admit they are struggling with anxiety. Chances are that if you have anxiety, you know. But perhaps you don’t even realize you do. Anxiety is tricky. It can show up in many different ways. Fatigue, dizzy spells, sweating, headaches…..Anxiety is horrible but you are not the only one and you are not alone! But even better than that, you can break FREE! I did!

I love music! Especially when the song has lyrics that speak to my heart. The first time I heard Johnny Diaz’s “Breathe” was when I was driving.  It was completely perfect timing because I was seriously taking deep breathes trying to relax myself. I get anxious when driving. It’s just something that has been for as long as I can remember, because I was in two really bad car accidents back to back. Even though the accidents were many years ago, they left forever back pain and emotional baggage….well at least when I’m in the car. ;) haha

Back to the song. I encourage you to go listen to it and read the words, especially if you get anxious and stressed a lot. My favorite part is the chorus that says,

Breathe, just breathe
Come and rest at my feet
And be, just be
Chaos calls but all you really need
Is to just breathe.

I love the picture it paints to lay your burdens at His feet! I love that it says, chaos calls but all you really need is to just breathe. Oh my gosh, boy does chaos call! Life can be very chaotic. Being a women, a wife, a mom….wondering if we are pretty enough, thin enough, strong enough….

We have these worries, anxieties and every day things that draw us towards anything and everything but God. In fact it does just the opposite. Anxiety and worry takes us AWAY from God. Which is exactly what the enemy wants. He wants to steal our JOY.

But don’t let negative thoughts take you captive! We need to turn to the one person who can calm our fears. We need to just take a breath, and rest at His feet. Lay our burdens down. Trust me I know if you truly have anxiety it is not as easy to “just breathe,” but I promise you, that if you truly lay your burdens down and let God take your anxiety, your worry, your fear, He will show you such amazing FREEDOM!

When I went through my gallbladder surgery in May, let me tell you I was scared. I was anxious. I was like, ummm God, didn’t I pray and ask you many, many times that I would never need surgery. Yes, that seems like a weird prayer request, but I just always feared that unknown. I had seen several family members in the past few years get various types of surgeries and I seriously would pray when visiting them at the hospital, every single time that I would never need surgery.

The funny thing is, that I knew almost immediately after finding out that I needed surgery, that God had already gone before me and was ready to take me to the other side of fear. And you know what lies on the other side of fear, sisters? FREEDOM!!

I am not saying that I won’t get anxious or nervous about anything anymore, but I will tell you that the almost paralyzing struggle I went through at one point is gone. I am FREE. I know now, that no amount of worrying and stressing over something will change the outcome.

If you are going through some type of anxiety right now I encourage you to pray about it and lay your burdens at His feet. I also want you to know that I am more than happy to pray for you, just leave a comment or send me a note and let me know. Perhaps this doesn’t hit home for you. Perhaps you are not one of the 40 million people affected by Anxiety. If that is the case, maybe you know someone who is. I encourage you to lift that person up in prayer. I encourage you to walk along side them and just be there for them.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “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 minds in Christ Jesus.”

xo,

Elizabeth