We all go through challenging times in life. There are times when we look around and wonder, "what is going on? Why am I going through this?" There are times when we questions our own ability to carry on after we have experienced significantly painful circumstances.
As a therapist, I am big on exploring with my clients what they are thinking. As I listen to them recap their painful or challenging experience, I listen for key words or phrases that point to the way that they "processed" the situation at hand. Then, I like to challenge any irrational or negative thinking and show them how their thinking caused them to perhaps respond in a negative emotional manner to their experience.
In therapy terms, we call this cognitive behavioral therapy. In Biblical/spiritual terms, we call this "renewing our minds" and "taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). I find it interesting that the Apostle Paul (in this particular Scripture) used the term "captive" to illustrate how we should handle our thought life. The definition of captive is "a person who has been taken prisoner; imprisoned or confined." As it relates to our thought life, that means that we have to confine our thought life to ensure that it is lining up with what God says about us. I also believe that taking our thoughts "captive" points to the ability of our thoughts to run wild and go into territory that can be very destructive if a tight reign isn't kept on them.
When I have gone through rough patches in life, I ask myself two questions: 1) what do I believe about God, 2) what do I believe about myself. Most often, anxiety comes when we believe that either God is inadequate to handle what we are going through or we are inadequate in some way. This activates our fight or flight response and can put us on edge. Once I am able to process through those two questions and identify my thoughts for both, then I pray and ask God to show me the TRUTH. The TRUTH is then what I began to focus on and what I began to use to affirm myself and how God is going to strengthen me to get through the situation.
Today, no matter what you may be facing, I encourage you to evaluate your thought life and if necessary, journal to get the thoughts out of your head and in front of you. After you have identified the thoughts that cause you anxiety, panic, fear, or worry, ask God to reveal the truth about who He is and His love for you. Then, take those destructive thoughts "captive" and begin to focus on your revelation that you WILL make it through not just this situation but any challenge that may come your way both present and future:)