What Is Anxiety?

At Focus on the Family Canada, we get calls every day from people looking for help for the unique challenges they’re facing. One of the ways we support people is through our free, one-time phone consultation with our in-house counsellors. Jenn Hall is one of those counsellors.

We all feel anxious at times and there are situations that can cause fear to strike our hearts. But what makes anxiety different? In this video, Jenn explains what anxiety looks like to help you better understand the role it may be playing in your own life or the life of a loved one. Watch the video to get started, then check out the Scripture verse, discussion questions and additional resources.

Get more out of this series!

After watching video 1, follow these steps to get the most out of this part of the series:

// Step 1

Read and meditate on this verse: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” (1 John 4:18)

// Step 2

Answer these discussion questions:

1. 1. What do you know about anxiety?
   2. Have you ever dealt with anxiety as Jenn describes it – the constant barrage of “what if” scenarios? If you haven’t, how does this help you empathize with those who do struggle with anxiety?
   3. According to Anxiety Canada, over 30 per cent of people may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in their lifetime, with women affected nearly twice as often as men. Did this statistic surprise you?

// Step 3

Download our free booklet Understanding and Navigating Anxiety. In this PDF, you’ll find professional advice, biblical insights and follow-up resource suggestions to help you better understand and navigate anxiety in your own life, in your marriage, as a parent and specifically with your teens.

// Step 4

Check out our series page on anxiety. Anxiety, like any other health condition, is not a character defect nor is it something to feel shame over. We may not choose to have it, but we can choose to manage it and learn to live well. This curated collection of articles, broadcasts and resources will help you do just that.

// Step 5

Get your copy of Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado. When it comes to anxiety, depression, and stress-related illnesses, North America is the front-runner, but thankfully there’s a way to deal with these issues. In this book, Lucado provides a roadmap for battling with and healing from anxiety. 

Order your copy of this book today and get $3 off when you use the code*: ANXIOUS