Anxiety often feels like an unwelcome guest, disrupting our peace and bringing unease. But what if we viewed it as a helpful guide? When anxiety strikes, it signals that something within us needs attention. It's an invitation to delve deeper, beyond the surface of our likes, dislikes, hopes, and dreams. By exploring these feelings, we can better understand the very being God created, uncovering our deepest fears and desires.

Each of us is equipped with three ways of knowing: cognitive, bodily, and emotional. These are systems of understanding that God has given us, each playing a unique role in how we gather information about our experiences. Cognitive knowing involves gathering facts and information—like who won the World Series or that 2 + 2 equals 4. Our culture places high value on this form of knowing. Bodily knowing is about listening to our physical sensations—feeling cold, hungry, or tired. We teach children to recognize these signals, such as knowing when they need to go to the bathroom.

However, emotional knowing often gets overlooked. We might dismiss our feelings, saying, "It's not a big deal," or "I'm fine." But just as we can't ignore physical sensations, we shouldn't ignore our emotions. Imagine walking into a room and feeling anxious; this emotional response provides valuable information, even if it doesn't align with our cognitive understanding.

In this sense, anxiety is like a friend nudging us to pay attention to our inner world. It highlights areas where we feel insecure or uncertain and points out relationships or situations that need addressing. By listening to this emotional information, we can start unraveling the complexities of our inner world.

Instead of silencing or ignoring anxiety, consider embracing it as a teacher. What is it trying to tell you? What body sensations are connected to this emotion? If this emotion or sensation could tell you a story, what would it say? Allowing these parts of ourselves to express without judgment can transform anxiety into a tool for spiritual growth. Embracing anxiety can guide us toward a deeper, more meaningful understanding of ourselves. This journey, though sometimes challenging, can lead to a greater sense of peace and purpose.

Melany Forbes, LMFT
Marriage and Family Therapist
Cedar Rapids Counseling Center
New Covenant Bible Church Member