Anxiety is incredibly unpleasant.
So it makes sense that sometimes people will do anything they can to avoid what makes them anxious.
But when the thing they’re most anxious about is their own thoughts... the effort it takes to avoid their own thoughts is truly exhausting.
Avoidance might look people packing their schedules so full that there won’t be a chance for them to end up sitting around doing nothing.
In fact, they are always doing something, just so they don’t have to dwell in their thoughts.
When they drive in their car, they are on the phone or blasting music.
They almost always have some noise in the background at all times.
Quiet is scary.
Because quiet means their thoughts are no longer going to be drowned out.
This is why sometimes people have their worst anxiety at night.
Because there comes a time at night that they have to go inside their brain and try to calm it down enough to go to sleep.
This is often when the racing thoughts meet up with them.
Deep, peaceful sleep and anxious thoughts usually do not go together.
So nighttime, particularly in the dark, becomes a fearful time.
And when you do finally get to sleep, you may find that your dreams are unpleasant too.
For some people, even sleep doesn’t feel safe.
If this is you, I hope you will get the help and support you need, friend. Whether that’s therapy, medication, spiritual healing and/or anything else.
I truly believe there will come a day when you can sit with your thoughts, and feel safe with them.
I encourage you to remember that an anxious thought is just another thought. It’s not more true just because it is scary.
Just because you think something doesn’t make it true.
I know it’s hard to believe in the moment- but you do have power.
Remember, in those moments when you feel the anxiety beginning to spin your mind into a dark place, to breathe.
Breathe and know that you have access to God even in those moments.
He is so near.
And no matter how scary it feels to hear those thoughts, know that they aren’t from Him.
His voice sounds like peace. It’s kind. It’s not a scary voice.
He will get you through another night.
He will never leave you.
Cling to that truth and rest your head knowing He is your safety and refuge.
“I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me.” Psalm 3:5
~Kelli Bachara, The Unraveling Blog
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