The Sounds of Anxiety

By guest writer, Paula Miller.

Once, while strolling to the mailbox to collect the day’s delivery, a sound, like a rake scraping asphalt, caught my notice. Amazingly, the clamor came from a quartet of brittle leaves wrenched too soon from their branches by a hot August wind. Watching those leaves scuttle down the street, I marveled at nature’s paradoxes. In truth, that free-flying vegetation was fragile. One strong stomp or sturdy squeeze would crush it instantly. Yet those clacking leaves sounded substantial despite their delicate state.

Fears and anxieties are a lot like those leaves. They produce an impressive racket, bringing racing hearts and churning stomachs. They steal our peace and leave us cowering in our beds, sleepless at three am. Yet upon close examination, how many of those fears are as insubstantial as brittle leaves? If only we could reach out and mash anxiety as we would that dead foliage and watch it drop into bits of compost.

Look Deeper

What is to be done about our anxieties? We can start by asking, what’s causing that nagging noise that turns our thoughts into obsessions about looming disasters or impending doom? Such examination brings introspection, helping us to identify those issues that destroy our sense of calm. Then it comes to us. Oh, yes, I’m afraid of this development or that conflict because I don’t want to face it. If we cannot determine the reason for our disquiet, we can ask God to reveal it to us. In Psalm 139, David asked God to examine him: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there be any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting” (23-24). Once we determine a source for the anxiety, it may be possible to remedy it.

Separate Fiction from Reality

After examining the issues, we can determine whether our fears derive from imagination or reality. Is it really a monster coming to get us or just a board banging in the wind? How serious is the threat? We can dismiss the banging board just as we would crush those leaves by recognizing when our imaginations have run wild. Since the world is a dangerous place, we can conceive of many disasters that might befall us, from car crashes to destructive meteors hurtling into our atmosphere.

Sometimes those fears are future unknowns, the “what ifs” that cloud our decision making and paralyze us. Jesus had some advice about those kinds of anxieties: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34, NIV).

Having the mental discipline to focus on what is true can help us dismiss imaginary concerns as Paul reminded the Philippians, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8, NIV). We cannot forget that the world, while troublesome, is also full of love and beauty. Further, we can adjust our mindset to focus beyond our everyday reality to contemplate something greater: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2, NIV).

Take Action

Third, if our angst comes from an obligation we must meet or a task left undone, the solution comes through action. Unpleasant tasks can send us into avoidance mode. Some go to the kitchen to bake goodies. Others head outside to pull weeds or turn to social media for mental distraction. But those tactics only feed our lurking unrest. We must face the terror or disdain we feel about tackling unpleasant assignments. The last fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians chapter five is “self control.” In that passage, Paul says, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25, NIV). By relying on the Holy Spirit’s power, we can nurture our self control and take on those obligations left unfulfilled. So, write the delinquent thank you note or the long-overdue apology letter. Make the phone call to a sick friend, update the budget, file the taxes, or whatever it is that has been ignored.

Face the Fear

If anxiety springs from our lack of preparation, then we can alleviate that dread and hopefully free ourselves from its nagging fear as well. Rather than wait for the golden moment of motivation or the panicked surge of midnight adrenalin, we can discipline ourselves to start early, giving plenty of time to meet the goal or fulfill the duty. That means starting an anxiety-producing project regardless of our emotions. That requires us to ignore the negative voices that tell us to dawdle or the quickening breath or heart-in-the-throat sensation. It means doing what doesn’t come naturally. Act instead of fret. That’s procrastination’s cure.

Facing those anxieties that crop up in our lives requires us to climb out from under our beds and face the trouble. Bravery takes practice. In that process, God promises us strength to proceed: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you” (Isaiah 41:10). So don’t be afraid to find out what’s alarming you. Who knows? It may only be a loose leaf blowing in the wind.

By guest writer, Paula Miller.

__________________________________________

Paula Miller lives in California and enjoys spending time with her family. Music, reading books, and walking are some of her favorite activities. She has served as an English professor, teaching courses in writing and literature at Azusa Pacific University and Biola University.

Working as a freelance writer, she has published a number of literary articles in works such as Masterplots, Critical Survey of Short Fiction, Critical Survey of Poetry, and The Dictionary of Literary Biography. She is coeditor of a series of devotional books designed for university students that include Student to Student, Campus Voices, and The Campus Survival Guide.

During her husband’s career as an educational administrator and chief academic officer for several universities, Paula has supported his professional development, cheered and encouraged him in tough times, worked with him in outreach and instructional projects, and often enjoyed (but other times endured) many leadership adventures with him.

Teaching women’s Bible studies and encouraging others on their faith journey are important aspects of her current outreach and focus. She loves church, people, and good conversation.