Relationship with God

Course Cut-OutFreedom From Anxiety
Written By Austin Cavaliere

If you need help seeing Jesus in the middle of your struggle, or just feel like you are stuck, ready to move into growth and healing, connect with a Christian coach.

Excerpt: Relationship with God - Anxiety Session 6

Course: Freedom From Anxiety

Speakers: Curtis Zachery, Benji Horning, Rebeka Lyons, Ryan Miller, Matthias Barker

Healing Anxiety: Finding Rest Through a Restored Relationship with God

In our quest for rest and the elimination of anxiety, we must acknowledge the profound impact of our relationships. The most crucial relationship needing restoration is the one between us and God. Over time, I've realized that every human heart yearns to feel seen, heard, known, and loved. We often seek these feelings in our earthly connections, but ultimately, only God can fully satisfy these deep desires.

Addressing the Trust Barrier: Lament and Honesty

Many desire a close relationship with God, yet find it challenging to trust Him. Past experiences, where God seems to bear the blame for our hardships, can create barriers. However, the Bible offers the gift of lament—a passionate expression of grief and sorrow. It encourages us to bring our whole selves before God, expressing our deepest needs and fears. Is it okay to voice our true feelings to God? Absolutely. Throughout scripture, we witness God restoring relationships when individuals honestly express their pain. God, who is above all, desires to be present in our circumstances, meeting us in our pain and offering hope that dispels anxiety.

Realigning Our View of God: Compassion and Nearness

In the 1950s, A.W. Tozer stated that the most important thing about us is what we think of when we think of God. Our perceptions of God, often influenced by human experiences, can be distorted. But the God of the Bible sees us in our brokenness, anxiety, and worry, and He moves towards us. Jesus’s arrival on Earth demonstrates a God who empathizes with our struggles. God is not distant, but walks alongside us. Biblical authors like David and Jeremiah expressed their raw emotions to God, understanding that He can handle our honesty. God is not burdened by our prayers. He desires our realness.

Cultivating Trust: Practical Steps

Often, we distance ourselves from God because someone representing Him was untrustworthy. It’s crucial to separate that person from God Himself. Scripture reveals God as love, safe and trustworthy. He cares for us and wants to hear our burdens. Practical ways to build trust include prayer walks, casting our burdens on Him deliberately, and inviting Him into our deepest places of shame. God wants to meet us in our anxiety, offering intimacy and trust.

Reframing Anxiety: A Place of Divine Encounter

People often say, “Just trust God,” but this can seem simplistic in the midst of pain. However, it is the answer. God meets us in our worst moments, cultivating His presence in our hearts. Jesus calls us to pick up our cross and follow Him, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego showed that even if God doesn’t deliver us from suffering, He is still worth trusting. Consider your anxiety as a place to begin a life of flourishing, an opportunity for God to use your pain for purpose.

Faith and Anxiety: Stewardship and Surrender

Faith is not an antidote to all anxiety, but it guides us in stewardship and surrender. Anxiety can arise when something valuable is threatened, which is natural. However, a disproportionate response or grasping for control indicates a need for surrender. Spiritual disciplines like fasting, silence, and solitude teach us to yield control to God, preparing us for times when we truly have none.

Building a Relational Connection with God: Dialogue, Delight, Devotion

Our connection with God should be relational, not merely religious. Cultivating a healthy relationship requires work. Consider these three principles: dialogue (honest prayer), delight (setting aside dedicated time with God), and devotion (engaging with scripture). These practices foster a deeper connection with a God who loves you deeply.

 

If you like the content, you can continue in a few different ways…

  • 1) See the outline below and check out other sections from the FFP course.

  • 2) Take the full small group course to your church community! The first course your church runs is free! Reach out to us here to learn how.

  • 3) Connect with a Share The Struggle Coach for one-on-one support. Let’s face it, some of us have tried kicking this thing, and we’ve had no luck. It’s time to start looking toward forms of support that can help us see and feel the beautiful life God has in store for us.

 

Freedom From Anxiety

〰️

Freedom From Anxiety 〰️

Understanding the Roots of Anxiety

Session 1

Session 2

Session 3

Session 4

Session 5

Healing Through Relationships

Session 6

Session 7

Session 8

 

Share The Struggle Courses

Share the Struggle Courses are topical expert led video courses to help you understand life’s greatest struggles and provide you with tools for navigating them. Moreover, STS courses create a space for you to connect with others struggling with similar things, experience belonging, and encounter God’s nearness in a place of wilderness in your life (pain, confusion, healing journey). Want to start a group at your church? Reach out to us here to learn how.

 

What Share The Struggle Believes

Here at Share The Struggle we believe Jesus is present with us in the middle of our pain and mess, and it is in that place that we often experience and encounter Jesus most deeply.

We understand the unique challenges faced by Christians dealing with mental health. Our mission is to bridge the gap between faith and mental health support, providing a platform where individuals can find resources, coaching support and guidance, all tailored to their spiritual life and emotional needs.

We invite you to explore our resources, share your journey, and find the support you need to overcome the struggles you face.

Austin Cavaliere
Previous

Inner Healing Prayer-Anxiety
Next

Relationship of Trust