Jessica BriggsWe find ourselves in anxious times. COVID-19, Social Distancing, empty shelves in our grocery stores… We are left wondering if there’s any end in sight, if things will return to “normal.” As the thoughts surmount, the anxiety increases. But let me reassure you: anxiety is human and natural. It’s a response to change. Anxiety is about the “what mights” of life, not the what IS.
How do we manage anxiety? I think the key to helping us manage our anxiety in this time is to focus on the “what is” of life in the form of spiritual, life-giving practices. Below are four ways to bring our thoughts into the present, and stop the spiral of thinking too much about the “what mights” of life.
NAME YOUR ANXIETIES
What is your #1 anxiety right now?
We cannot cope with our anxieties unless we name them. Whether you do this privately through journaling, in prayer form, or share your concerns with another person, identifying and discussing our anxieties is usually a great place to begin.
Naming our anxiety brings our thoughts and fears into the present moment. It anchors us to see that the things we may be anxious about are “what mights” and not “what is.”
RELATIONSHIPS
Yes, relationships are a spiritual practice. We cannot share our anxieties and vulnerabilities alone. We say a life centered in Christ- in Love- is the pinnacle of being a Christian. After all, GOD IS LOVE. But love is a lived experience and has to be lived through relationships. We are in a time where we must learn to live love, to BE LOVE, instead of trying to prove our worth through doing. We simply cannot be very productive right now. This is a time of learning to lean into love and relationship. The noise of life may have protected you up to this point from your anxieties, feelings and thoughts. But Love doesn’t allow hiding when the feelings seem overwhelming.
I see this time of social isolation as an invitation from God- a time to come out from hiding. A time to deal with our relationships. Love isn’t scary; instead, it gently covers and encourages us. Love doesn’t leave people alone in their anxiety. Love invites whole selves and whole stories into the light.
God created community to partner with us in love. As we support each other in relationships, I want to remind you healthy relationships come with good boundaries. Relationships that emulate authentic love should be mutual and reciprocal places of encouragement. One-sided relationships lead to further anxiety.
Ask yourself during this time: who do have that can carry the anxiety with me? Who can I support similarly?
STORYTELLING
Storytelling can be a wonderful spiritual practice that keeps us tethered to the present. The Bible itself is a collection of stories, a place of great comfort to many during anxious times. We have many biblical stories and examples that help us mitigate the “what mights” we currently face. The unknowns we face in life can be mirrored often in these stories. In trying times, we don’t have to “get in our Bibles” for answers- it’s not a fortune teller. Instead, we just need to read stories of comfort and hope.
Many Biblical stories can brings hope during this time and remind us of the faithfulness of God in a myriad of ways: the Exodus; the Israelites in the wilderness; the widow who fed Elijah bread and never ran out of flour and oil; Jesus feeding the thousands with a few fish and loaves of bread; Jesus being tempted in the desert; the Disciples waiting for the Spirit in the Upper Room.
If you’re not into reading passages of scripture, then many other stories can be comforting while you’re coping with anxiety. Pick up an easy-to-read devotional, a favorite fictional book, read a picture book to your children or listen to other people tell stories.
Stories help us focus on the reality of now. C.S. Lewis said that stories help to “not retreat from reality, but to rediscover it.” A hero’s tale, fairy tale, Bible story or fictional read is really an ordinary tale of humanness. We try and fail and try again. We face defeat and disappointment, but can emerge stronger and ready to choose bravery. We are always being invited to adventure and change, to challenges and triumphs. Stories help us assess where we are on the story arch right now.
GRATITUDE
The practice of gratitude is shown even in mental health and non spiritual practices to be life giving. Gratitude help us to usher in peace, stillness and calm. Gratitude is the echo of grace pulsating through the human heart.
There are innumerable ways to practice gratitude, whether it’s listing a few things daily in your journal, having your family say a gratitude around the dinner table, or using thanksgiving as a part of your prayer life. Regardless, gratitude anchors us to see the realities already present in our life, and to name them and be grateful for them, instead of being focused on our fear of lack.
I hope these four practices can be sources of strength and comfort during this time. For more ideas of staying in the what is, and for spiritual encouragement, please follow me on Instagram: @eyestoseeblog.
