Dear Anxiety, Let’s Break Up: Conquer Worry & FearНамуна

Managing Emotions

How many emotions do you experience on a daily basis? Personally, I experience the full range. We all do. As humans, we are wired to experience emotions such as irritability, happiness, sadness, joy, weariness, anger, and anxiety. Some of these emotions are more comfortable than others, and some are easier to control. Which emotions do you struggle to manage the most? Do any of these emotions seem to rule your life? You can’t see me raising my hand right now, but I struggle most with feelings of anxiety.

Anxiety can be a difficult experience to describe. I would define it as fear, worry, dread, or unease. Above all else, anxiety is an emotion. What’s the definition of emotion? I’ve come across a few, and I like this one from the American Heritage Science Dictionary best: “A psychological state that arises spontaneously rather than through conscious effort and is sometimes accompanied by physiological changes; a feeling.” After reading this definition, while wearing my scientist hat, this is what I know about emotions:  

• Since each human being is unique, emotions are subjective.  
• Since human beings are wired with an autonomic nervous system, emotions are spontaneous.  
• Since we have nerves all over our body, emotions are physical.  
• Since emotions do not come from time spent in conscious reasoning, emotions are not always rational.

I would invite you to read through this list again but substitute the word anxiety for emotions. Anxiety is subjective and spontaneous. Anxiety can be physical. Anxiety is not always rational. All of this means that anxiety is neither your fault nor a sin; it’s an emotion. And since you are a human being, you are wired to experience emotions—including anxiety. However, it is your responsibility to learn how to manage your anxiety. In fact, one of the most vital skills a human being can learn is to manage his or her emotions. Learning to manage emotions does not come easily. It takes a lot of hard work, and like most things in life, comfort and change cannot coexist.

This is what I am learning: God loves me so much that he created me to be an intricate, individual, astoundingly complex person—emotions and all. He didn’t make a mistake when he gave me these pounding emotions that often lead to racing thoughts and spiraling. I am sometimes overwhelmed by my anxiety, but that does not mean that I’m unfixable. God knew I would find a way to conquer my anxiety and then equipped me to share it with you so that you, too, can find success in your journey. And you will.

Emotions are communicators. In time and with practice, my emotions will hold no power over me.

Reflect

What is one example of when I managed my emotions well? What is one example of when my emotions overwhelmed me? What triggered my emotions in that situation, and how could I have changed my response?

Prayer Time

Dear God, thank you for the way we are remarkably made, including our emotions. Help me understand how my emotions can serve as communication tools not only to myself but also to those around me. Give me strength to manage my emotions. Amen.