Anxiety is a God-given feeling that calls us to ready ourselves to face the difficulties and dangers in our lives.  When felt periodically, anxiety stirs us to action.  It wakes us up from our status quo and encourages us to face our situation with our eyes wide open.  Once the danger or difficulty has been dealt with, the anxiety subsides until it is needed again.  Anxiety becomes a problem when it fails to dissipate once the difficulty has passed.  For many people, the struggle to let go of anxiety becomes a daily battle in itself.     
  

Uncontrolled anxiety places the body at a steady “fight or flight” state.  Blood pressure increases, muscle tension increases, respirations increase, and relaxation becomes quite difficult as the anxiety continues.  Additional symptoms may include: 

•  feeling you might lose control
• trouble concentrating
• being easily annoyed or upset
• being overly watchful or alert
• muscle aches
•  feeling that something bad is going to happen
•  trembling
• chest pain
• a feeling of approaching death
• nausea, upset stomach
• feeling that you are going “crazy”

Taming anxiety requires courage to face the feelings head-on and the commitment to learn coping skills to handle these feelings.  Treatment may include counseling, medication, or a combination of the two.  Remember that anxiety does not have to be part of your day-to-day life!  In Philippians 4:6-7, we are told “not to be anxious about anything, but in everything – through prayer with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus”.  Grab onto this promise and break free of anxiety’s bond!