Battling Anxiety: How Encouragement Made the Difference

Truth is, everyone goes through a period of anxiety, like feelings of worry, fear, too much stress etc. No matter how optimistic you are. No matter how you have tried to stay happy, motivated and confident about the future sometimes, you will always find yourself getting worried and being afraid of something that may occupy your mind and keep distracting you from doing something else.

I was there some days ago.....

One thing I have always been avoiding is worry. I know how depressed one would be when worry takes over. It takes away your happiness at that moment. It keeps you away from accomplishing some tasks to do. It hijacks a feeling of joy and positivity at that period, and most of all, makes you lazy all day. One way I was able to overcome this was through some words of encouragement.

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You know the verse in the word of God that says anxiety brings a person down, but a word of encouragement cheers him up? Yeah, I got that feeling afterwards. It was as if someone poured a chilled glass of water on me which made me feel high again. I was able to do things I had left and had my hope lifted once again.

What caused the anxiety?

Well, this thought usually occurs to lots of people, especially to an adult like me who is taking care of herself, paying bills, settling responsibilities etc. It got to a point, I thought to just give up everything. I couldn't understand why things were happening like that in my life. I had this strange thought which kept coming, making me feel hopeless. It has been a while since I was in this situation but the way it appeared again seems to weigh me down so much.

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For most of us here, I am a corps member and serving my fatherland. Very soon, in 5 months, I will be rounding the programme up and here comes the reality: life in its full view where I won't have to keep expecting a monthly salary from the government unless I get a job that pays my bills and provide food on the table for me.

All my life, I have always wanted to be a child and I feel, many times that development stage shouldn't happen because I have been so reliant on that childhood stage where I only sleep, wake up and eat my food and to depend on adults for everything. I so much wanted to go back to that stage again but it is not possible. Far from it because we keep moving forward and growing.

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I'd never wanted to see myself getting worried over things I cannot control because it is not worth depriving my health for it. I am a believer of Christ and I know what the scripture says especially that part where God has promised to walk with and help us. Another part where God says His plans are different from ours. But so many times, I see myself forgetting these promises and wanting to do things on my own.

I remembered the words of my sister after she knew about my situation. After listening to my ranting and pouring my heart out to her, she asked why I had to worry. She gave an instance of how God works. According to her, God will keep watching us when we are trying to do things on our own without involving Him and the moment we push ourselves to the wall and there is no way forward and are confused, we then turn back and say, "God, I am tired. I want to give up. I can't do it anymore. Help me" She said that is the time God will be happy and willing to stretch His hands to help. At first, He would be watching us do it our way and when we are at a crossroad, we tend to turn back and involve Him.

I felt peace like a flowing river in me. I was so happy that I could talk to someone, in this regard, my family who lent a listening ear and encouraged me. The worry and fear of the future and how things would look after my service varnished and I was back to my happy mood. Right now, I am very okay and do not need to be worried.

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This is why it is dangerous not to speak out when you are going through a similar situation as mine. Talk to someone and be encouraged. A worrying person can never achieve something for the day. Worry weighs a person down but having someone to talk to and encourage you will lift your spirit high, making you return to an optimistic mood as a person.

_{Both images belongs to me}