What is Anxiety?
Definition:
A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.
What does it look like?
Anxiety can take several shapes and forms. On one end, it can result in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder or more. On the other end, it can simply serve as a warning system to ourselves. Perhaps we are worried about a school, work, sports, or anything else that may involve stress. Further, it can serve as a warning system to us that we are in a situation that we should not be.
What do I do with my anxiety?
As you can see, there is no one way that anxiety manifests itself in our lives or our student's lives. Sometimes this makes it difficult to identify it in the lives of our students. However, when we recognize anxiety, we have a way to handle it. As seen in our definition, anxiety is always a type of worry that can be taken to different levels of severity. Though there are specific challenges at each level of anxiety severity, each person can surrender their worry to Jesus.
Student Stories
In this resource from Fuller Youth Institute, students share their experience with anxiety.
Middle School: Faith in an Anxious World
In this video, Caleb and Shelley discuss how to identify and deal with anxiety through the lens of Look Up, Look Inside, and Look Around.
High School: Faith in an Anxious World Pt. 1
In part one of this video, Caleb and Shelley discuss the story of Jesus stepping into the boat with his disciples and it's implications.
High School: Faith in an Anxious World Pt. 2
High School: In part two of this video, Caleb and Shelley discuss helpful tools to deal with our anxiety.
Snapchat Teachings:
In each of the videos below, Caleb outlines a specific piece of the Look Up, Look Inside, and Look Around Tool. Each of these phrases helps us recognize the resources that already surround us as Christians that guide our care of anxiety.
Look Up
Caleb encourages us to Look Up to Jesus.
Look Inside
Caleb encourages us to Look Inside to deal with our emotions.
Look Around
Caleb encourages us to Look Around us to find people to help us.
Daily Examen
In this video, Caleb guides us through the ancient spiritual discipline called the Daily Examen. The Daily Examen is a fantastic way to look inside and surrender our anxiety to Jesus.
High School: Anxiety Review
In this video, Caleb reviews the tools discussed in our discussion of anxiety.
Middle School: Anxiety Review
In this video, Shelley reviews all that has been discussed with the middle school group.
More Resources
Apps
Dwell
Have Scripture read over you. You can choose from themes like Faith over fear, Peaceful Psalms, and My Identity in Christ.
Breathwork
Breathwork guides you through quick and powerful breathing exercises that eliminate stress and anxiety, increase energy, help you fall asleep, and improve endurance
Faith in an Anxious World Podcast
This podcast can be found on nearly any podcast broadcasting platform or you may click the links below.
A Word of Comfort
As Christians, we recognize that anxiety is a result of the fall. Though anxiety is not always sinful as we have discussed, it is something that we can surrender daily to God. If anxiety becomes something that takes away from our relationship with God, this is when it becomes a problem. In these moments, you can use the resources found on this page to spend time in the presence of God surrendering all your cares to him. Though it may be challenging, the Holy Spirit can and will work in you to defeat anxiety. Since anxiety is a result of the fall, we can take comfort in the reality that it is something that can be redeemed by the cross. Christ already took care of all our shame, guilt, and sin at the cross and therefore we may be raised to new life with the resurrected Christ. A life where anxiety is not a controlling factor and we rest perfectly in our Father's arms.
Need More Help?
Contact one of our youth ministry directors for assistance and care for anxiety.
Middle School: skuipers@caledoniacrc.org
High School: caleb@caledoniacrc.org