How does divorce lead to anxiety?
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.
Matthew 19:6 (NIV)
Are you divorced and going through a transition? Isn't it similar to being in the midst of a storm? Everything is upside down the moment you start building a life with someone. Matthew 19:6 says, "Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." This is a powerful verse to remember when you are going through a breakup.
And then there is the anxiety that tags along. It is not as simple as feeling a little anxious. It feels like a hefty burden of "what ifs" and "how comes" pressing against your chest. After a divorce, it can feel like walking on a tightrope without a safety net. Your entire future, which you believed to be confident, appears hazy.
Consider all the changes you must deal with. Or you are attempting to figure out this whole co-parenting thing if you have children. Isn't that a lot? It is expected to feel out of control when life throws so much at you at once. And let us face it: anxiety tends to peak at that time.
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However, the emotional rollercoaster is something else. Breaking a marriage vow can shake your confidence. You start doubting yourself, feeling lonely, wondering if you will ever trust someone again. These thoughts? They are anxiety's best friends.
Experiencing emotions like these is reasonably normal. There are others besides you. Divorce recovery is more akin to a marathon than a sprint. It is acceptable to take your time processing the hurt and the adjustments.
Recall that your anxiety is not the only thing that describes you. There is only one chapter. It can significantly help to reach out to friends, family, or even a counselor. You are rebuilding, which requires perseverance and strength. However, what is the deal? You underestimate how much of that you have. You are making progress toward the light at the end of the tunnel, I assure you—one step at a time.
