Anxiety and thoughts about God

[WinnyMac63]

I have had anxiety on and off my whole life. My anxiety comes out with questions that can’t be answered- “why are we here”, “why are we alive “. It may seem simple but the anxiety and depression that comes from these thoughts just stop me dead in my tracks. I have to take a klonopin just to get out of my head. Does anyone experience their anxiety like this? How do I get my faith back when it seems to have left me?

[GinkgoLeaf]

Love your post and sorry you're going through this. I am not a religious person, but I do get anxious about if I'm living a purposeful life. Have I chosen the right career? Am I doing enough for my community? My therapist recommended a meditation app by Sam Harris called Waking Up. He is an atheist, but many of his mindfulness lessons (in my opinion) can be applicable to faith/religious learnings. One lesson I liked in particular was about this question. Sam Harris's point was - other animals/living things on earth besides humans do not think about why they're doing what they do. They do what they need to do. We only do this because our brains are more advanced. But then we use this "advancement" to stress ourselves out. Consciousness, which should be a benefit to us as a species, can often be a deterrent, making us overthink and be anxious. Beyond this, have you reached out to someone in your faith community? Maybe a conversation with those that hold similar values to your might be helpful too. Best of luck on the journey - it's an important question!

[WinnyMac63 in reply to GinkgoLeaf]

Thanks so much for the response and ideas. I will reach out to someone with similar values. Great idea!

[LazyXrayEyes2255]

Believe in yourself and your power to do good and if religion guides you to do something, charity work or volunteering then this is beginning. Having support from religion, not bad thing and can have impact on many people. Answer the heart and mind and soul?!

[WinnyMac63 in reply to LazyXrayEyes2255]

Thank you so much for the response!

[GreenNickelsPR50]

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13), "Rejoice always" (1 Thessalonians 5:16), and "Trust in the Lord with all your heart" (Proverbs 3:5)

[WinnyMac63 in reply to GreenNickelsPR50]

This helps so much! Thanks!

[Lizzo30]

I feel like that if I think about the universe and how big it is and what is beyond it also what was before it so I just trust in God and accept I am clueless on that score

Regarding God I did alot of searching for the truth when I was younger and the truth I arrived at was that God is great and merciful and loves us

Having faith in God is very simple just tell God you are scared as a starter and leave it at that for a while then build on that and tell God you want to be with Him

God is there for you me and everyone He wants us to go to Him but He gave us free will to go to Him or not when we do find our path to God He is very happy

I could go on but I'll leave it at that and wish you well

[WinnyMac63 in reply to Lizzo30]

This helps so much! Thank you! I will copy your reply to keep with me. I felt so much peace reading it.

[marsbarr in reply to Lizzo30]

Amen

[susanjo613]

I have also had those thoughts. My childhood friend has been trying to get me to read the Bible and pray to god. I don’t want to sound like a religious nut….im far from it but lately I’ve seen signs of a higher power and it is changing my views on faith. I’m going to continue down this spiritual journey because I’m believing in it more and more each day.

[WinnyMac63 in reply to susanjo613]

I wish you the very best on your journey. Thanks for sharing.

[Arabianhorselover]

Sounds like you are suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, for which there is treatment.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Arabianhorselover]

We aren't qualified to diagnose each other, please limit your comments to emotional support.

[Arabianhorselover in reply to Nothing_but_books]

I wasn't making an actual diagnosis. This person is apparently not receiving the treatment they need. They are asking for help, and none of the other replies really provided that.

[bethelbee in reply to Arabianhorselover]

We're still not supposed to even make the suggestion of a diagnosis on here.

[Arabianhorselover in reply to bethelbee]

I get it. I just really wanted to help.

[bethelbee in reply to Arabianhorselover]

I know you wanted to help, but they made a big deal fairly recently about giving medical advice or even suggesting a diagnosis to anyone. We can offer all the support we want.

[Weatherwoman in reply to Arabianhorselover]

My thoughts, too! While I have OCD (intrusive thots. that get Very Sticky, at times), my "theme" is not the same, but I have read many books on the subject of OCD, and the "theme" you mentioned is one of them. Don't like to diagnose, but it sure sounds like an OCD issue which there is help for. Try & find a therapist who specializes in OCD, or an OCD clinic.

[Arabianhorselover in reply to Weatherwoman]

Thank you. It is hard to not say anything when someone is struggling with something that we know something about.

[Weatherwoman in reply to Arabianhorselover]

I agree.

[PeachyYellowRose]

I'm sorry you are feeling this way. In my personal experience I feel I can only depend on God. When I'm having my episodes and crying and crying I yell out to God to please come and help me and he always does. He always helps me calm down and bring me peace. It's hard not to ask yourself those questions or why am I going thru this. I think that's normal myself. And I know I don't understand but the one thing I do know is God loves me and He loves you and He is walking with us thru the anxiety and depression. Something I do is read a scripture verse each morning. And when I'm outside I listen to Christian music to help lift my spirits. I can't explain why we have the problems we do but I know if I didn't have God by my side I'd be way worse off and so lost. You could start with a little prayer and just be honest and tell God what you're feeling and ask him to help you and be with you. I hope this helped in some way. God Bless You