Feeling Anxious? Having Anxiety Doesn’t Make You Weak

We’ve all seen the movie where the hero is a brave person who doesn’t show any signs of anxiety. They are praised that their hands aren’t shaking even with a gun to their head and their face isn’t beet red as they dual for the win. Our modern society praises heroes like this and in doing so, reinforces our inner dialogs that anxiety is the opposite of bravery. It reinforces that anxiety equals weakness and that it should be fixed.

Those fictional movies of profound heroism are great for selling out theaters, but they aren’t realistically portraying fear, anxiety, and bravery. They aren’t showing the profound anxiety that precedes the act large of heroism. Likewise, they skip the pulsing heart and the internal dialog that the hero must face before fighting the giant or making the life altering decision.

They make heroism seem like an act someone does without fear, instead of an act someone does despite their fears and anxiety. Now, apply this concept of bravery to your own life. Is it a sign of weakness that you are afraid to make a speech in front of your classmates? Feeling anxious before public speaking is natural and is perhaps a sign of inexperience, but it is not a sign of weakness.

Are you weak because you feel anxiety about a failed relationship? Of course not. Anxiety over human relationships is a sign that you care about the people in your life. Should you be embarrassed that you’re too anxious to get out of bed and face the day? Absolutely not. This anxiety you feel doesn’t mean that you’re too emotionally or mentally weak to face the day. It is a natural response to your circumstances.

If anxiety isn’t weakness, what is it? Anxiety is a natural response to threats (real, implied, or imagined) and is rooted in fear, worry, and uncertainty. It is a general term used to express a variety of negative emotions but can often point to some deeper, underlying issues.

For example, anxiety can manifest where there is a lack of confidence. Maybe you don’t trust yourself and your own ability to handle challenges that life might hand you. Anxiety can stem from a lack of security or the feeling of being threatened. Anxiety is also a lack of clarity, where thoughts race through your mind without harnessing. It can also grow out of a lack of contentment or lack of trust in yourself, others, or in the process of life in general.

How do you overcome this anxiety? If you’re struggling with anxiety, I would encourage you to seek therapy with a licensed Christian counselor. Together with your therapist you can unpack your anxiety and peel back the layers of your emotions to reveal the underlying issues. Those may be trauma, lack of confidence, or fear of the future. While breathing techniques and coping skills can help you manage your anxiety, getting to the root cause of it can be more impactful.

Through therapy, you will discover that your anxiety doesn’t indicate that you’re weak. It is a concrete sign that you care deeply about relationships, responsibilities, and the future and that you’re invested in things that matter to you. This gentle spirit and deeply rooted care for others is a beautiful thing that God can use for His glory.

While there are some movies that show us the more realistic side of anxiety and eventual (and sometimes unlikely) heroism, society’s loudest voice is telling us that the anxiety we feel is a weakness we must overcome. Anxiety is challenging, yes, but it is not a sign of weakness. It is, however, a sign that you’re someone who is capable of deep feelings, who thinks profound thoughts, and who cares for people in authentic ways.

It speaks about your creative problem solving and your ability to be prepared. Anxiety can even help you grow, bloom, and reach the full potential God has intended for you. Every time you face anxiety, even if it’s simple, you’re proving your strength and perseverance.

If you are ready for some help with your anxiety, reach out to our offices. We will make an appointment for you with one the gifted Christian therapists in our practice. Begin your healing journey today.