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Calm in the Storm

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9
Roughly 31.1% of U.S. adults have dealt with some anxiety in their lives--small or big. After some quick math (not my strongest suit), that is approximately 81 million U.S. adults. Is that not crazy? And to think that many people struggle with the complexity of their minds, and still think they are alone with it. Anxiety disorders are defined as intense, excessive, and persistent worries and fears about everyday situations (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2025). These worries and fears become excessive, which in turn leads to intense fear and panic attacks. Without proper treatment or resources, these disorders can greatly impact a person. Resources like therapy, medication, journaling, and finding a community can help an individual find peace and tranquility within their internal battles.

I know firsthand that anxiety is far from easy. As someone who lives with emetophobia, it often shapes how I feel and plan my days. In this entry, I want to open up about how I, a 21-year-old college student, work to calm my anxiety and find peace even in uneasy moments. I’m not a professional, and I certainly don’t have all the answers—some days are harder than others—but I hope my experiences might offer comfort or ideas for anyone facing something similar.

The most evident tool I use is my faith. Jesus has been my rock for as long as I can recall, and He has never failed to reassure me in times of need. The knowledge of knowing my battles are not my own to face is, most times, the only thing I need in an anxious moment. My Bible is one of my safe places; reading stories of prophets or disciples battling anxiety, annotating verses regarding faith over fear, and being engulfed in the Word alone can work miracles. Even having your Bible opened to a random page while struggling can be impactful. You are allowing Jesus to take over and reassure your mind. Philippians 4:13 states I can do all things through him who strengthens me. This verse alone can calm any storm in your heart because anxiety has no match against Christ.
Anxiety, in most cases, happens because (1) you think of the worst-case scenario, (2) you feel out of control, and (3) your fear overpowers your logic. Let me use Scripture to contradict each point.
  • You think of the worst-case scenario. Matthew 6:34 states, "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
  • You feel out of control. Jeremiah 29:11 states, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
  • Your fear overpowers your logic. Proverbs 3:5-6 states, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
The list goes on. The more you read Scripture about anxiety, the more you’re able to release it to God. Spending time in the Word not only deepens your understanding of anxiety but also brings a sense of calm and steadiness. I’ve noticed that even when my heart is racing at 125 beats per minute, just ten minutes of intentional reading can help it return to normal.

Along with my faith, the second biggest tool is my community. My family and friends can read me so well because they took the time to understand and pick up on certain tendencies. To find friends who can comfort and support you in times of distress is key. Anxiety can make a person shut down; it can lead to a life of loneliness. You cannot allow yourself to stay alone for too long. There are times when, yes, I need to be by myself and regroup, but it is not healthy to isolate myself for long, and neither should you. Your mind will play tricks, telling you that your problems are a bother or that no one will understand. As I previously mentioned, 81 million people deal with the same concerns. My suggestion is to find people who either deal with anxiety as well or those who can handle high-pressure environments; these people will be quick to pick up on context clues and assist if needed.

Therapy! Therapy! Therapy! Oh, how much I love and support the idea of therapy. I used to be against it because, to a lot of people, therapy means you are "broken" or that you are "weak," and this is the farthest from the truth. Plus, who cares what they think? It was not until I signed myself up this past summer that I became an advocate for it. Not only do you get a professional perspective, but you can also learn more about yourself and what your emotions indicate. As a result of therapy, my life became increasingly calm and organized. I gained greater awareness of behaviors and patterns I had not recognized before. You become reassured and utilize tools (send me a message, and I'd be more than happy to share some tips I have learned) that fight against your anxiety.

There are niche remedies I have that are designed specifically for when my anxiety spikes. You will find yours: things, people, and places that calm your heart and mind. The three I listed are my biggest dependents, but journaling, music, and exercising are some smaller relaxers.
You are more than what your mind tells you. And I hope you know that you do not deal with your mental health alone. If I want you to take anything from this entry, it's simply that you are not alone. Mental health can take a toll on someone's life; be kind, be patient, and be aware that you never know what someone is going through behind closed doors. Mental health masking is real. Society has instilled in people that they should feel ashamed for feeling a certain way. This leads to downplaying their issues, reassuring everyone they are "fine" while they may be drowning in anxiety, depression, OCD, etc. In reality, when one suppresses their mental health, it only makes it worse.
Please know you are important and that you matter. Your mental health matters. Your wellness matters. Your presence matters. Anxiety, yes, is terrifying, but God would not give you something that He knew you could not handle. There are tools, and there are people who are willing to assist you on your journey. Please never hesitate to message me.
Here are some sites and tools that can help amplify this entry.
For my Christian readers:

Worship music helps my heart rate go down during an anxiety attack, so I wanted to include my worship playlist:

Statistics about anxiety:

Links to therapy:


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