I find great joy in using my struggles and successes to bring encouragement to other people. This next series that I feel I should share is a rough topic for me. Having had anxiety since I was seven, I could say that I am an expert at dealing with anxiety. I have heard many times that if you have anxiety, you are living in sin or you do not have enough faith. While there is some truth to that, it is not encouraging for someone who seeks to be obedient to God. After praying and seeking counsel, I have realized that there is more to overcoming anxiety than simply thinking good thoughts or breathing clean air. By the glory of God, I am a lot better than when I was even a few months ago. I hope to share what I have learned with you over the course of the next few days.
I will be talking about practical ways that I have developed more peace. I will include advice given by my counselors, good friends, and authority figures. I believe in a God that heals, so I will be discussing how God has helped me find peace.
Although I have dealt with anxiety and have had success in overcoming it, I am not a doctor or a psychologist. I can only suggest speculations about what has helped me. I do not claim that what worked for me will definitely work for you, but I hope that it encourages you that you are not alone. If you have an actual anxiety disorder, I suggest that you go to counseling. But if you are simply looking to live a more peaceful life, I encourage you to read this series.
Elisabeth Warner 