Anxiety Can Be Good?

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears              Psalm 34:4

I have spoken in the past about various manifestations of anxiety. Anxiety often results in worry and erosion of self-confidence. Chronic anxiety leads to depression. So, what good can come from anxiety? Well, we can leverage anxiety in ways to enhance our well-being when we can learn to manage it.   

For example, anxiety before a test or a presentation can cause us to overprepare. Fear of doing poorly can spur us to prepare more and longer to achieve our desired outcomes. When we are in a new environment and we are not familiar with our surroundings, we may be much more cautious and vigilant. This can potentially keep us safe.

There are other examples, but you get the point. If we can manage the anxiety we have, we can use it to our advantage. I tell my clients that anxiety is your “unwanted travelling partner”. Anxiety is not simply going to vanish, but it can be controlled. Once we make peace with the fact that anxiety is part of our life, we can learn to harness its warnings, to better discern the irrational fears from the possibly valid ones.

Anxiety is a part of everyone’s life. Some have a little, some have a lot, all of us have some. When we can learn to live with it, we can often use it to our advantage. Yes, some anxiety is not easily managed. That is where therapy, social supports, and medication can come in to play.

So, do not despair. That anxiety can be used for benefit- redeemed if you will- for a good purpose.

Prayer: Lord, help us to see that even potential threats can be turned into benefits, Amen