4 Ways to Reduce Anxiety & Restore Purpose

By: Kathleen Ries-Jubenville   |    Read time: 3 minutes

Have you ever become so overcome by anxiety and worry that you've lost sleep? Even lost a bit of the joy in life? This type of stress wears on us and can develop into poor mental and physical health.

The interconnectedness of our world - with all of its advantages - has also produced a 24/7 stream of bad news that we feel powerless to change. As a result, many people are struggling with a profound fear of loss: loss of control, loss of security, loss of purpose.

As a result, we end up losing our vitality and capacity to thrive. When we feel like a victim of our circumstances, we can lose our sense of meaning and our lives begin to stagnate.

We can become trapped in a cycle of drudgery. But God wants us to enjoy the freedom of purpose!

When we put our attention on those things we can control in this moment, and let go of the rest, we regain our momentum and enjoy peace of mind. We can live fully in the freedom that comes with a focus on our eternal purpose.

What does God want us to know about it?

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 (The Holy Bible, NIV)

4 Ways to Reduce Your Anxiety:

1. Pray about your concerns and know that God wants to calm your nerves. He has led you on a path in your life to make a difference in the lives of other people. You are here for a reason. When you approach a situation with gratitude for the opportunity and a heart of service, you will feel more confident in the outcome. As a result, you will experience more peace of mind.

For example, I often get nervous before a public speaking engagement, so I say a quick prayer before I go on stage and remind myself that I do not have to be perfect. I ask God to use me to say something that will make a difference in just one person's life. It takes all the pressure and attention off my performance and replaces it with a feeling of joyful service.

2. Release control of and expectations for a certain outcome. Remember, the only things you can control are your own thoughts and actions. The outcome of a situation may have many variables, including market conditions, political decisions, health challenges, and the input of other people's opinions and reactions. in addition, God has reasons for outcomes we may not understand at the time.

When I first started my business, I was always stressed about where my next dollar was going to come from. That pressure impacted my performance every day. So I flipped the script in my head. I decided to make the purpose of every conversation to shine some light into the other person's day and help them smile. I realized I could only control my energy, not the outcomes. And it worked! As a result, I got more leads and closed more sales. Whenever financial worries start creeping in, I just say to myself, "Do your best, and let God do the rest."

3. Slow down and embrace the emotions and challenges in our day. When we rush through our day, mindlessly going from one task to another or numbing our minds with social media, we miss out on the joy and adventure of living. So, when your emotions are kicking into high gear, acknowledge them and comfort them...maybe even journal about them. Then, you will be ready to tackle the next project on your list with renewed enthusiasm.

In my experience, owning a business is an anxiety-producing endeavor. I am still constantly pushed and stretched to take chances and make mistakes and learn and grow. I become overwhelmed and shut down when I don't have clarity about what I am feeling and why. When I write down my concerns or make a list of the pros and cons of a decision, I feel relief. I don't know why, but my emotions want to have a voice before they will calm down. Journaling is a way to soothe my frazzled nerves and regain my composure.

4. Keep eternity in mind and remember whatever you are going through is temporary and temporal. Understand that your life has tremendous value - beyond this point in time and place. God has a purpose for your existence, for the experiences you have and the people whose lives you touch. Your impact in this world may not always be clear, but you are influencing the future. When things don't go your way, there are opportunities to learn and grow. And, sometimes, bad things just happen because our place in this world is designed to be temporary. Your efforts, your relationships, your love. These have eternal impact. This is where you will find your freedom of purpose!