Anxiety is a complex problem that can be affected by emotional, psychological, biological, and spiritual influences. Sometimes the cause might be hidden. The key to freedom from anxiety can be found in looking at things God’s way.

Coping vs. Healing

Conventional psychotherapy can be helpful in discovering things about ourselves that generate anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy is also a useful tool. These treatments can help develop coping skills that produce symptomatic improvement. But is the improvement of symptoms the same as healing?

A person with diabetes can experience thirst, hunger, and frequent urination. The diabetic can be administered insulin, and their symptoms disappear, but they have not been healed.

Can God Heal Me?

Over the centuries there have been countless reports of physical healing through God’s Word. Jesus healed many people from illness, such as blindness, leprosy, paralysis, and bleeding disorders. He continues to heal through the faith and prayer of his followers today.

Many people suffering from anxiety disorders have been freed from their problem through prayer and intercession. There are multiple accounts of persons who – after years of frustration with psychotherapy and medication – have been rid of their anxiety in an environment of faith. Jesus is the great physician who heals all wounds.

Diagnosis is Essential

If you have been frustrated by your anxiety, it might be because your treatment and prayers are misguided. God’s plan is perfect. He not only wants to heal us; he also wants to teach us. In this way we end up stronger and healthier.

Sometimes the immediate cause of anxiety is obvious, for example, in cases of abuse. However, in other situations, the cause might not be clear.

Some common spiritual obstacles to being free from anxiety are:

• Unresolved issues of fear, anger, or resentment.
• Refusal to forgive or be forgiven: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14)  “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” (Luke 7:47)
• Lack of taking responsibility in the process: For example, persons that refuse to pray and only ask that others pray for them.
• Unconfessed sin: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
• Past or present practice/participation in witchcraft, Satanism, satanic pacts, magic (black or white), Tarot reading, Reiki, occultism, Ouija board, fortune telling, etc. (see Deuteronomy 18:9-13)
• Abortion:  “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,  before you were born I set you apart…” (Jeremiah 1:5)  “Do unto others as you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12)
• Secret desire to continue in immortality
• Generational sins or curses: Just like alcoholism can run in families, anxiety can as well.
• Unrecognized or refusal to admit a sinful state of lust, gluttony, greed, sloth (laziness), wrath, envy, or pride.

Example of Undiagnosed Spiritual Obstacle

Some anxious people also have trouble with patience or explosive anger. It might be a mistake here to focus on anger since the root of the problem might be something else, like envy. These root problems often have consequences that don’t readily identify the true source. Through prayer, God reveals these things to us. Once the problem is correctly diagnosed, the healing process can begin.

Conclusion

Anxiety can be the product of a combination of factors. God can provide us with true healing. Part of this process is recognizing spiritual obstacles to healing.

It is important not to walk this path alone. Remember to consult with your spiritual guide, pastor, or priest about these issues.

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