‘The term anxiety covers a lot of fearful conditions. Things like phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorders. A certain amount of nervous energy and fear is actually healthy and quite normal. But when those feelings take over and rule our life we’ve got a problem’
Anxiety can make you feel like every minute is an eternity. You often wonder how you can keep going. And, if you believe in God, you ask the question ‘If God is there, and he’s promised peace of heart and mind, then why can’t I have it?’.
Listen to Jenny and Steve, who have suffered from anxiety, and Julie, a psychologist, as they share their experiences of anxiety and how to find hope through managing this debilitating condition.
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Key takeaways from this episode
- Anxiety can be overwhelming and deeply physical.
Jenny and Steve describe anxiety as consuming—causing nausea, racing thoughts, sleeplessness, panic, and even physical collapse. It can feel like you’re trapped in your own mind. - It often stems from fear of perception and performance.
Jenny shares how fear of being judged or failing socially and at work can rapidly spiral anxiety into a full-blown episode. - Validation and support are vital for recovery.
Steve found that hearing “You’re not weak—this is real” from his GP and counsellor was a game-changer in beginning his healing journey. - There are tools that can help.
Therapy, medication, breathing exercises, mental imagery, and gradual exposure (like facing small fears step by step) all played a role in managing anxiety. - Faith and anxiety can co-exist.
Julie, a psychologist, explains that Christians aren’t immune to fear. Feeling anxious doesn’t mean you lack faith—it means you’re human and in need of grace and support. - You are not alone, and there is hope.
Anxiety is hard, but help exists. Recovery takes time, but with support, self-compassion, and practical tools, you can learn to manage it and live meaningfully again.
Episode transcript
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Related booklet
Anxiety comes in many forms: excessive worry, inability to make even the simplest decisions, discouraging thoughts, edginess, irritability, and panic attacks to name a few.
