Compassionate Love: Displaying Compassion for Those Who Struggle with Mental Illness (c)2017 Nancy Virden, Always The Fight Ministries
Anxiety Disorders are not what many people without them think they are. They are not nervousness like before an exam. They are not even exaggerated nervousness before an exam. Anxiety Disorders are not a choice to be fearful and overcome by worry.
While I can pray and sense a grounding and safety in that, God has not chosen to remove disordered anxiety from me. What I mean is that it is a battle harder some days to overcome than others.
I think I know why.
God wants me whole. Yep, that’s right, God is allowing an anxiety disorder to make life more challenging because his goal is for me to know total wholeness.
Several months ago, overwhelming disordered anxiety forced me to speak for the first time about a lifelong issue I’d determined to take to my grave. Over years of therapy and despite great talk about the changing of my worldview and new start, I’d held this particular door shut.
It was probably easy for some people to judge me for having anxiety. But God knows what he is doing. In his time, and in his way, he is using this to show me there is more to be healed.
Emotions teach us if we will listen. Ignoring them often hurts us physically as well.
Anxiety mixed with other strong and painful emotions led to a GI bleed that led to hospitalization which led to swelling which led to a hurt ankle which has kept me more or less wheelchair bound for the last 6- 8 weeks. Surgery may be around the corner. Maybe all that could have been avoided if I had listened to anxiety and talked it out years ago. God gave me enough chances, that’s for sure.
This process has drawn me closer to God and opened my eyes to important truths. Always The Fight Ministries and other aspects of life have changed. My soul and mind enjoy greater rest because I was forced to deal with an anxiety disorder.
Please remember, it is not helpful to tell someone with an anxiety disorder to shake it off, or quit being a worry wart. That is because anxiety disorders are not normal anxiety (hence the name “disorder”). They are complex.
Perhaps the better option is to offer a listening ear.
Today’s Helpful Word
Psalm 25:4-5
Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
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Comments are always welcome (see tab below). NOTE: I am not a doctor or mental health professional. I speak only from personal experiences with and observations of mental illness. In no way is this website intended to substitute for professional mental health care.
If you are struggling emotionally today or feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Hope and help can be yours.
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