4 Ways the Normalization of Anxiety Can Hurt Us and 4 Ways it Can Help

1. When Normalizing Anxiety Hurts: Spiritual Complacency

Normalizing anxiety can lead to spiritual complacency, where individuals accept anxiety as an unchangeable part of their lives. This mindset contradicts faith’s transformative power and the peace promised in the Bible. When Christians view anxiety as a fixed state, they may neglect seeking God’s help, seeing their condition as beyond his ability to heal or change. Complacency undermines actively seeking transformation through God’s power.  

Accepting anxiety as permanent can also lead to neglecting spiritual disciplines that alleviate distress. Scripture encourages believers to cast all their anxieties on God because he cares for them (1 Peter 5:7). When we overlook spiritual routines like worship and prayer, our spiritual life stagnates. Over time, our trust in God’s promises decreases. We may no longer believe we can experience peace surpassing all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Normalizing anxiety can also foster a culture of acceptance about mental distress, missing how urgent it is to seek spiritual and medical help. Christians may neglect community support, professional counseling, and other forms of assistance that help overcome anxiety.

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2. When Normalizing Anxiety Hurts: Misunderstanding Faith’s Power

Normalizing anxiety can lead us to define ourselves by our emotions and struggles. As Christians, our identity is rooted in Christ, not in our transient feelings or challenges. We miss this core truth when we view ourselves primarily through the lens of our struggles, not our relationship with God.

We must never forget faith’s transformative power. Christians are called to see themselves as new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), liberated from fear and anxiety. Normalizing anxiety may obscure this essential part of Christian identity. When that happens, we struggle to believe in God’s power to bring change and renewal.

The New Testament bestows various identities upon believers. We are “saints” (Romans 1:7), signifying holiness and set-apart status. We are “priests” (1 Peter 2:9), denoting direct access to God and spiritual service. We are “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20), reflecting our mission to represent Christ in the world.

These identities lay the foundation of our purpose and mission. From that foundational identity, Christians live out their faith boldly and confidently, relying on God’s strength. If normalizing anxiety limits this perspective, believers retreat from opportunities to serve, witness, and grow in faith.

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3. When Normalizing Anxiety Hurts: Focusing Too Much on Personal Struggles

Normalizing anxiety can lead to excessive focus on self, missing the call to center our attention on Christ. When Christians dwell too much on their anxieties, they can get stuck in a cycle of self-absorption, exacerbating mental health issues.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses worry by telling his disciples to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and the Father will provide all their needs, giving them security and hope.

Constantly thinking about anxieties can increase stress, depression, and a sense of helplessness. As C.S. Lewis said in Mere Christianity, humility isn’t about thinking less of ourselves but thinking about ourselves less. The Bible calls us to humbly focus on God, the only one worthy of worship, and love for others instead of ourselves (Philippians 2:3-4). Meditating on God, his Word, and Person shifts our focus from our problems to his promises. Isaiah 26:3 states, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.” Colossians 3:2 also encourages us to “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

This doesn’t mean we never address our own health issues. God isn’t about ignorance or deception. However, God gifts us with the heavenly, transcendent viewpoint to put our lives in a truthful perspective. When we discuss problems like anxiety, we remember to frame the struggle within this perspective.

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4. When Normalizing Anxiety Hurts: Neglecting to Explore Root Causes

Normalizing anxiety sometimes discourages exploring root causes. It becomes easy to treat symptoms rather than addressing the underlying physical, emotional, spiritual, or psychological issues. However, only treating symptoms can lead to depending on short-term solutions, missing the spiritual and emotional growth necessary for true healing.

When we don’t delve into root causes, we may miss opportunities for holistic healing and growth. For instance, some symptoms will always continue until we face unresolved trauma, persistent sin, or the fact we’re missing a spiritual discipline that would aid us. We rely on temporary fixes like medication or surface-level coping strategies instead of seeking God’s guidance and healing to face deeper issues. Temporary fixes can provide relief and we should not be ashamed of using them, but they don’t offer lasting solutions.

The Bible encourages believers to examine their hearts and minds thoroughly. Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” The Father promises wisdom to those seeking his insight: access to the all-knowing God.

When we seek deep healing, delving into the roots of our problems, we experience the peace and freedom promised in Christ. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Granting that normalization of anxiety can create many issues when we do it poorly, we can also seek ways to do it wisely. Now that we have considered ways that the process can hurt, we can consider ways that it helps if we do it well.

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1. When Normalizing Anxiety Helps: Knowing We’re Not Alone

Normalizing anxiety can reassure Christians they aren’t alone in their struggle. Understanding anxiety is a common human experience allows believers to realize that they share this challenge with many others, including fellow Christians. This awareness fosters an incredibly comforting sense of community and support.

Knowing others in our faith community face similar battles encourages open and honest conversations about our experiences. The openness can lead to greater empathy, support, and mutual encouragement. In the process, the shame and isolation accompanying mental health struggles become much smaller.

Normalizing anxiety can help Christians understand that experiencing anxiety doesn’t equal a lack of faith. Many biblical figures, such as David and Elijah, experienced deep emotional distress and anxiety and were still considered God’s faithful servants. When we recognize this fact, we can be kinder to ourselves and others. We realize that struggling with anxiety does not diminish our spiritual worth or relationship with God.

Normalizing anxiety can motivate churches to create supportive environments that openly address mental health. Churches can offer resources such as professional counseling, support groups, and workshops. The proactive approach, integrating spiritual and mental health conversations, can generate a more holistic understanding of well-being.

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2. When Normalizing Anxiety Helps: Promoting Authenticity

Normalizing anxiety promotes authenticity and humility. When we acknowledge struggles, we create a more honest, transparent faith community. Openness allows us to share our real experiences, fostering genuine connections and deeper relationships. We can speak about struggles without fear of judgment or rejection. Admitting vulnerabilities helps us move away from a perfect façade, embracing an authentic, more relatable faith.

Promoting authenticity produces safe places not only to share struggles but also to seek help and encouragement. Without a safe environment, we may never address our issues, and more issues may develop. As a mentor once told me, “Secrets have power in darkness.” Bringing light to mental health issues lets others find understanding. It can also lead to effective solutions. As James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Even if we don’t consider anxiety a sin per se, the principle applies: fellowship and humble confession of struggles creates space for prayer and intercession.

Sharing anxiety experiences can cultivate humility. Everyone faces challenges. No one is immune to difficulties, regardless of their spiritual maturity. Humility fosters a deeper reliance on God, as believers acknowledge their need for his strength and guidance to overcome anxiety. It also encourages empathy and compassion: members supporting each other in their struggles can create a more inclusive and supportive church environment.

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3. When Normalizing Anxiety Helps: Reducing Stigma

Sadly, the church and society have often stigmatized mental health problems, treating them as signs of personal weakness or moral failure. The stigma is usually rooted in misunderstanding mental illness as a spiritual deficiency, a complete lack of faith, or even demonic influence. Shame and silence follows, discouraging people from seeking help and support.

Many church communities assume they must appear spiritually strong and victorious, which further isolates believers from seeking help. If looking strong matters, then judgment or ostracization may follow if people admit their struggles. It becomes difficult to have open conversations and hinders the church from providing the necessary support.

Reducing mental stigma is key to creating a compassionate, supportive environment where believers feel safe sharing struggles and seeking help. Galatians 6:2 urges believers to “carry each other’s burdens.” The church better fulfills this biblical mandate when it acknowledges mental health issues without judgment.

Reducing stigma also aligns with Jesus’ example of compassion and healing. Jesus ministered to the whole person, addressing physical and spiritual needs. By following his example, the church offers comprehensive care—medical, mental, and spiritual support.

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4. When Normalizing Anxiety Helps: Fostering Trust in God

Normalizing anxiety can lead Christians to trust God more deeply. Recognizing anxiety is common prompts believers to seek God’s comfort and strength. Relying on God amid anxiety can deepen our dependence on him. The Bible reminds us that we can do nothing apart from God: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Trusting in Christ alone aligns believers in this truth, bringing more intimacy.  

Acknowledging anxiety is common also encourages Christians to seek God’s guidance. In anxious moments, believers can consider biblical teachings to cast their anxieties on God because he cares for them (1 Peter 5:7). Surrendering worries to God reinforces an important practice: seeking his direction with everything, including our mental health.

Normalizing anxiety can also remind us that God’s strength is made perfect (or complete) in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). God gives his strength because of our weakness; when we humbly admit weakness, God’s transformative strength is activated. Recognizing our vulnerabilities can embrace the truth that we are not alone. God’s power works within us, even in our struggles.

Then, as the Father’s grace works and sustains, he gets all the glory. 

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