Article
Does anxiety mean I am not trusting God?
Being handed a verse about worry when your body is already in alarm rarely helps, and it often adds guilt.
The short answer
Anxiety is not simply a failure to trust. It involves the body, learned patterns and often genuine circumstances. Faith can be a real source of steadiness, and anxiety also responds to counseling and sometimes to medical care.
Anxiety happens in the body
Rapid heart, tight chest, shallow breathing and racing thoughts are physiological. You cannot reason or repent your way out of a nervous system that has learned to stay on alert.
That is not a spiritual defect. It is a body doing its protective job at inconvenient times.
Why the guilt makes it worse
- Anxiety about being anxious raises the volume.
- Hiding it removes the support that helps.
- Shame keeps women from telling anyone for years.
- Faith becomes another performance to fail at.
- Meanwhile the treatable part goes untreated.
Holding both honestly
Practical work on anxiety, cognitive behavioral tools, sleep, and sometimes a medical conversation. Alongside that, prayer, lament and community if faith is part of your life. Neither one cancels the other.
Common questions
Is anxiety a sin?
Christians differ on the language. Practically, anxiety is treatable and shaming it does not help.
Will Lori quote verses at me?
Only if you find that helpful. Faith is an invitation here, never a tool used against you.
Should I consider medication?
That conversation belongs with your physician. Lori does not prescribe and can support you either way.
Learn more about Christian counseling with Lori with Lori, or browse all articles on Christian counseling.
Written by Lori Rasmussen, LISW, a Licensed Independent Social Worker licensed in the State of Iowa and a Certified Spiritual Director. Lori counsels women and female students in Waterloo, Iowa and online across Iowa. Articles here are meant to help you understand what you may be experiencing; they are not a diagnosis and they do not take the place of care from a professional who knows your story.
Reaching out can be the first step.
You don't need to know exactly what to say, or have anything figured out, before you contact Lori.
Or email rasmussencounselingandsd@gmail.com