Anxiety disorder is the monster under your bed
As a child, you were familiar with the bedtime tale of the monster lurking beneath your bed. It is a tale that sent shivers down your spine. It had you seeking refuge in the comforting presence of your parents when darkness fell. Yet, as an adult, you have realized this creature was a figment of imagination. It is a story told by caregivers to ensure early nights and well-behaved slumbers.
Now, in the realm of grown-up concerns, you find yourself face to face with a different kind of monster beneath your bed—anxiety disorder. Unlike the fanciful creature of childhood tales, this is no mere illusion. It is a natural and often formidable presence that can shadow your daily life and well-being.
Trapped in fear
Amid her anxiety disorder, fear gripped Jody Johnson, a member of the First Alliance Church Discovery Lab Department.
Seven years ago, she found herself overwhelmed in a different job. As the weight of anxiety settled upon her, she began experiencing unexplained bouts of sickness. Perplexed, she sought the counsel of a doctor, only to be diagnosed with the disorder that now cast its long shadow over her life.
Since that pivotal moment, Jody withdrew from social interactions. She was trapped by the fear that her anxiety would become an insurmountable obstacle, hindering her from venturing into various places. The conviction took hold that she was destined to either endure a lifetime of suffering or find release through death, ascending to be with God.
In a moment of desperation, she directed her prayers to God, uttering, "If this is how I am going to live, I would rather die." Such pleas reveal the depths of despair that anxiety can instill, pushing individuals to question their faith and wonder why divine healing seems elusive.
However, God already provided the tools.
God has already given you all the tools for peace and guidance to trust Him, freeing you from fear. However, the catch is that you must be the one to recognize, accept, and actively use these tools to your advantage. It is not a simple matter of praying for healing and expecting all anxiety to vanish. The key lies in putting in the effort and allowing change to take root in your mind and heart.
For Jody, the path to healing required seizing control of her thoughts, making them obedient to Christ. Through this intentional process, she saw God's plan unfolding. It was not an instant remedy. It was a gradual transformation that brought hope within reach and consigned anxiety disorder to a distant past.
Bring about healing
Once you discover healing in your life, much like Jody, you should become a conduit for God to extend this healing to many others. Your journey through overcoming anxiety becomes a powerful testimony that can resonate with those still struggling. As you embrace the healing that God has provided, consider yourself a vessel through which others can witness the transformative work of faith.
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