controversial maybe- any Christians out there with anxiety?

[Daisy131]

i ask because i am a christian and find myself often angry with God- why he put me through this, why am i being punished like this, why are some things harder for me than they are for anyone else? i feel like my taking medication is a sin- don't ask why- i just do, and that i should be running TO God instead of away from Him during this time.

anyone else that is a Christian out there struggle with their anxiety/depression/mental disorders?

[camel]

Hi Daisy

Your reaction is completely understandable. But try remember that God only gives you what you can handle. And doing things which help you, for yourself, will help you to get through this. God truly does help those who help themselves.

Stick to your faith, for it will guide you through.

[crazygirl1]

Hi daisy-me too
camel-very nice post:)

[abaggett2]

Daisy...we all feel like this at some time in our lives.  God will NEVER give you more than you can handle and HE is always with us.  When we pray for healing...we will be healed...it might not be in our time frame nor even in this lifetime, but we will be given opportunites to get help.  I do not believe that taking medication is a sin.  God makes EVERYTHING and give peope the knowledge to heal and make medication.  I do not take it because I am scared of the side effects.  I have been praying for healing for over 2 years now and God led me to a CBT Therapist over 2 months ago and I kept resisting.  But, 3 weeks ago I decided to give it to the Lord and I made an appt.  I have been 3 times and am already feeling a difference.  When you pray, make sure that you listen for the answer.  Never give up on God cuz HE will never give up on you.  Here is something I have on my computer screen and read daily....

GOD, GRANT ME THE SERENITY
TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CAN NOT CHANGE;
COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN,
AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.

God bless

[katiB]

I am a Christian and I am suffering from anxiety disorder.  I know God is with me during my time in this valley.  I often ask God "You sure you have the right Kati, because I can't handle this!" but He knows that whe I lean on Him I can get through this.  I have been mad a God amany times and this to shall pass.  If you have a church home speak to someone you trust because it shocked me when I found out how many other people in my church had gone through this.  Strength comes in numbers. I'll be praying for you.

[Karebear]

Yup, a Christian here with anxiety.  I'm sure there are many, many more.

As for the medication-as-a-sin issue...I understand the conflict, but I truly believe that God creates many paths for healing, some of which involve prayer and supplication, and others that involve modern medicine.  If I broke my leg, I'd see a doctor - I don't think God would mind.

While I don't want to make light of your situation, this subject reminds me of a joke:

There once was a very devout preacher whose house was consumed by a flood.  As the flood waters started to get higher, the preacher was forced to get to the roof of his home.  The man prayed, "Lord, I am a man of great faith and I know you can do all things.  Please deliver me from these waters.  Save my life, oh my Lord."

After he had prayed, a boat came along to rescue him.  The preacher simply replied, "No thanks.  God will deliver me Himself."

When the boat went away, a helicopter came to rescue him.  The preacher smiled and said, "I don't need you.  God will deliver me."

Two men in a raft floated by and told the preacher to get in.  "No, I will wait here for the Lord to save me," said the preacher.

The waters continued to rise until they overtook the preacher.  He tried to stay afloat, but alas, he drowned in the flood.

Because he was a devout man, the preacher entered the gates of heaven.  But he was troubled.  When he was face-to-face with God, he asked Him, "Lord, I believed in you!  I know all things are possible with you.  Why didn't you help me when I asked you?"

God replied, "Are you kidding me!?  I sent you a boat, a helicopter, and a raft!  What more did you want??

:)  Okay, it's an old joke.  But I believe it illustrates the point that God comes to us in many, many ways.  You may not wish to take medication, and that's fine.  And anger towards God is understandable, but we know as Christians that His good is not always what we perceive as OUR good.  His ways are bigger and higher than ours.  The best advice I can give you is to pray, pray, pray...but don't ignore the worldly ways that God presents to you to help relieve any small part of your symptoms.

I'm rambling, but I hope that helped.  I'll pray for you, Daisy.

[WarwithAnxiety]

i ask because i am a christian and find myself often angry with God- why he put me through this, why am i being punished like this, why are some things harder for me than they are for anyone else? i feel like my taking medication is a sin- don't ask why- i just do, and that i should be running TO God instead of away from Him during this time.

anyone else that is a Christian out there struggle with their anxiety/depression/mental disorders?

You've got an Christian here. When I go to sleep while I have a Panic Attack, and I wake up, I find it a God-given gift to wake up again and see the world. But, God never punishes us for no reason-keep that in mind.

[GlimmerOH]

There is a lot of very good advice and support already here...I just wanted to clarify that the "God doesn't give you more than you can handle" quote is missing the ending:  "with His help."

Sometimes God allows us to fall deeply in order to remind us to look up...where our true help is.  I struggled with the whole taking medication = sin thoughts as well.  What I discovered in the end is that in order for the medication to work, I needed to trust that God was in it too.  My worries were focused on the fact that I believed that God made me exactly as He wanted me, and altering myself with medication would show a lack of trust.

Well next thing you know, my 3 year old son (at the time) was diagnosed with Diabetes.  Was it God's plan that I not alter how my son was created to show trust?  Nope, it was God's grace that provided an effective treatment that allowed him to live.  Insulin is a hormone necessary to normal functioning of the body.  Well, anxiety raises normal levels of hormones in our body to levels that are not normal.  God gave doctors wisdom to discover medication to bring those levels back to functioning.

You are not alone in your anger with God....and you can rest easy knowing that His shoulders are big enough to take it, and His heart is big enough to heal your hurts and fears.

[dantescritic]

 Here's a nice passage

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. -John 14:27

[katiB]

Here is a verse that came to me in a time of darkness and very troubled in what way my life was going.  It came to me on a piece a paper I saw as a piece of trash on the ground, but when i picked it up I saw this verse on it- Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. John 14:1.  I'm posting a picture of it in the gallery if you want to see it.
By the way I am on medication to help control my attacks.  I do not see a problem with it any more than i see a problem taking allergy medicine. 

Praying for all of you.  We are stronger in numbers. We are meant to share and lift up each other in prayer, so I say we do. 

[crazygirl1]

Yes all great verses. I wish I could do it-let my heart not be anxious. But seriously-how ?? lol
I agree=meds are like allergy meds or aspirin...there for a reason.