Anxiety can be debilitating for anyone, whether about school, work, home life or church; it can feel like the world is ending, or you cannot focus on anything but what is worrying you. A lot of the time, people will suggest trusting the Lord with your worries; however, while many of us know this, it can still present a challenge to fully feel it as a relief. 

Putting your trust in the Lord takes a lot of patience and time; we often want simple and quick fixes to our problems. Having a relationship with the Lord, though, is hard; it is meant to test us, because simple fixes are not what can fulfill our lives and hearts. 

Many of us do not know that anxiety is not just a simple worry; from a psychological perspective, it can cause bodily harm. 

Anxiety disorders are some of the most common mental health conditions:^{(See disclaimer 1)}

• Specific phobias affect up to 12% of the U.S. population.
• Social anxiety disorder affects about 7% of the U.S. population.

It is important to have empathy and understanding to help others grow closer to God and feel safe. 

We are social creatures by nature, which means social anxiety is one of the most common fears; it can be hard to communicate effectively and feel secure in our self-identity and image.

Physical symptoms may include:^{(See disclaimer 1)}

• Heart palpitations
• Muscle tension
• Nausea
• Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia)

Not only are these symptoms common, but they can also lead to further issues in one’s life that are hard to shake, potentially forming an endless spiral. It can feel as though there is no way out of the situation you are in, and it can be hard to ask for help when you feel so down.

Church is supposed to be a place of comfort and support, where we not only feel God’s presence but also seek a community that will support us in our spiritual and personal growth. Many Christians entering the Church can feel anxious or unsure, and individuals may turn away from the Church based on past experiences and conflicts. 

One of the biggest challenges is effectively understanding each other and collaborating on conflict resolution. We often attack each other for our sins, yet we all have sins of our own. Often thinking we know what is right or wrong to judge others, yet the only person who knows us and what is good is God. This can give us a superiority complex over the Lord, which means we don't see our own egos as the problem. 

This is why it is important to meditate and rethink our mindsets. 

I recently heard a saying that really stuck with me: we want other people to change to fit how we want our lives to look with them in it. Life is not about us; it is about serving the Lord as a collective. Don’t let your ego push you to put others in a box. While we may not agree with each other’s views, mindsets or lifestyles, the only thing we can do is support each other and lift each other up to the Lord. 

Find ways to invite others to church and to follow Christ. We do not know what other people are going through, but what we can do is guide them and invite them and continue to welcome them.