Surprising Sources of Anxiety

Thanks to all of those who joined us this past week for our evening with Becky Haist. For others who were unable to attend, we missed you, but we wanted to provide you with some of the resources and notes from our Zoom event. Thank you to Becky Haist for letting us share information from our evening together.

Thank you to our note takers: Susan Page, Becky Armstrong, Beth Woof, Georgie Kearns

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is an emotion

• It sends out a signal that something is wrong (i.e., fear, anger, insecurity, agitation, grief, loss, sadness)
• It creates an unsettledness/restlessness
• It comes out of our need for stability and security
• It creates an unsettledness, a restlessness
• Our emotions can be like the weather, with changes occurring throughout the day
• A season of anxiety – is a prolonged mood
• Sometimes we pretend that nothing bothers me because we should have victory in Jesus

Six Causes/Sources of Anxiety

A sense of the unknown, longing for a plan

• The uncertainty of the future
• We compensate by making plans which give us a false sense of security in our attempt to remain in control

A sense of hurry or constant change

• A lack of quiet moments
• Even our health can change

Trying to get fulfillment through things
that don’t satisfy (i.e., accomplishments of our children, comfort of food/drink)

• Need to get to the root not just put on bandaid

Avoiding saying what we need to say

• Avoidance of feelings can cause anxiety
• We need to speak the truth in love rather than holding back so people will like me

Covering up another emotion

• Sadness, anger, guilt, bitterness/unforgiveness

Not accepting our natural/healthy human limits

• Things cannot always be perfect (if ever!)

How To Bring God Into The Process

God is our security and source of stability!  Learn to deal with the physical state of your anxiety (deep breathing, hot bath, long walk, talk with a friend or trusted advisor/counsellor and medical treatment when appropriate.) Change doesn’t happen overnight.

Acceptance

• God knows the future and is making plans, good plans.  He has known us since before we were formed in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139). Nothing catches Him off guard.
• Be flexible.  Keep in mind the statement, “as the Lord wills.”  The Lord knows our steps. Factor in a “change” clause to all you do, being willing to let the Lord change your plans.
• Hold onto plans loosely, with open hands (Prov 16:9, James 4)
• God is our security and He is in control
• Build trust in God – journaling may help you recount His faithfulness

Slow down and create rhythms

• Daily, weekly, monthly, yearly breaks
• Thank God for the constant things in your life rather than focusing on things that change
• Do I need to remove some things from my schedule?
• Grow in our sense of “being still”
  

Reflect & Ask for Wisdom from others

• What need are you trying to fulfill? Identify it and discover a healthier way to meet that need
• Lean into the Lord (Psalm 103: 1-5) – Bless the Lord O, my soul!
• A satisfied soul will be content (Proverbs 27:7)

Be honest with God – unfiltered honesty about how you are feeling

• Tell one trusted friend or advisor and run by them what it is that you would like to say to the person or people in question.
• Learn to communicate your wants, your needs, your feelings
• What holds you back from communicating the truth in love?

Covering up another emotion:  Slow down and identify the emotion you’re trying to cover up

• Google “feelings wheel” as a resource
• Remember that emotions are trying to tell us something
• Prayerfully reflect on why you are feeling your need to cover up your authentic emotion
• Talk to God

Not accepting our human limits

• Reflect on why God made us with limitations
• We don’t have to be all things to all people
• He is God, we are not!
• Understanding who I am and letting go actually creates peace
• Practicing limits will point us towards well-being, stability, and peace

About the Speaker Becky Haist

Becky joined the staff with Athletes in Action over 10 years ago.  She has been involved in the campus ministry, international tours and national conferences.  Becky has a passion for seeing people heal and grow to their full potential while integrating spirit, soul and body.  After finishing her degree in kinesiology at Western, she worked with the Bishop’s Gaiters in their sport’s medicine clinic catering to athlete’s physical and psychological needs in injury rehabilitation.

Upon realizing the need for more mental health support in university athletics, she returned to complete her Masters of Clinical Mental Health Counselling education and training in the USA, working with NCAA athletes in Virginia. Along with her work in the AIA ministry, she is currently the mental health coach with Queen’s University Gael’s Athletics.  Becky loves to travel, be outside in nature and go paddle boarding with family and friends.

Book Resources:

• Present Over Perfect – Shauna Niequist
• Sacred Rhythms – Ruth Barton
• Emotionally Healthy Spirituality-Peter Scazzaro