Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you. Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT
Professor Tracy Dennis-Tiwary has written a book about anxiety titled Future Tense: Why Anxiety is Good for You (Even When It Feels Bad). The book gets its title from the fact that anxiety is always future-oriented. When we think about an uncertain aspect of the future, we feel pangs of emotion that make us uncomfortable. It is in that moment, she says, that we make a mistake. Anxiety as a God-given human emotion is not broken – how we deal with it is.
For instance, when we or someone we love experiences anxiety and fear, we go into super hyperactive mode, trying to control, manage, and minimize effects. We google, reassure, and try to convince ourselves or others there’s nothing to worry about. You don’t have to be a professor to realize that those reactions are exercises in futility. Being anxious about anxiety and trying to stuff our feelings down doesn’t work. Telling ourselves this is all bad doesn’t help either.
Anxiety tells us we care about the future and want it to turn out in a certain way. It’s like the smoke alarm in your kitchen. It doesn’t tell you the house is burning down; it tells you to investigate what may be going on. You love your future and want to help it.
If you will see your anxiety in that more positive light, as giving you information you need to simply pay attention to, you will be able to realize that anxiety also means you still have hopes for the future. There’s the possibility of several possibilities, and some are very positive. I may have cancer, I may not. If I do, it may be very treatable. When I refuse to stuff it and deal with it practically and reasonably, my anxiety can provide energy and motivation.
This is especially true for Jesus-followers. Jesus is always with us. We do not need to fear the future because He is already there. He will never leave us. He leads the way and will guide us at every point. Another wonderful thing – anxiety happens to be what is called an activating emotion. It doesn’t just trigger fight or flight; it increases our bodies’ oxytocin. It is the social bonding hormone God gave us. When we have moderate levels of anxiety, we are prompted by this hormone to seek out social connection and support. Anxiety is a prompter, then, to not only call out to God but to connect with godly friends, join a small group, become part of a support group – all so helpful. Anxiety doesn’t need to freeze us with tension. It can move us into the future with hope.
- What does your current anxiety say you should investigate? Do it. Jesus is with you.