Embracing Faith: How Prayer Became My Anchor, Scripture Built My Strength, and a Support System Helped Me Battle Anxiety and Grow My Faith

For years, I longed to share my journey, but fear and uncertainty held me back. It wasn’t until I experienced God’s transformative power firsthand that I found the courage to speak openly about my struggles and the strength I discovered through faith. The past few years have undeniably been some of the hardest I’ve faced mentally. However, I’ve truly seen that God works beauty from ashes. Looking back, I now see how He was building my faith and granting me a strength I never knew I possessed.

Let’s start with when I first experienced what an anxiety attack truly felt like, which gave me a new respect for the mind. It was late one night; the kids were watching a movie when, out of nowhere, I felt a rush that I couldn’t explain. I became extremely nervous, and my heart wasn’t just racing—it felt like something deep in my chest that I couldn’t slow down. I began pacing through different rooms, lying down, drinking water—trying anything I could to calm my nerves and make sense of what was happening. Nothing seemed to work. My heart began to hurt, and my palms grew clammy. That’s when I started to panic.

I just knew this time it was the real deal—I needed to go to the ER. My husband, already scared since we couldn’t figure out what was happening, agreed and took me straight to the hospital. They started running all the heart tests, and although my EKG was a bit unusual and my heart was racing, there were no other medical signs indicating I was having a heart attack. The doctor came in calmly and asked if I had ever heard of an anxiety attack. Of course, I had heard of them but didn’t realize what they meant for my situation. He then described all the symptoms, and I was in awe—he was describing what I was feeling! They gave me medication to calm me down, and I felt relieved to finally label what I was experiencing and see that the treatment was working.

After that, I visited my general practitioner, and we began the difficult journey of trying different medications. This doctor was quick to prescribe medication without requiring any therapy or psychologist involvement. This went on for a couple of years until I encountered issues with my care—another story for another blog post—which prompted me to find a new doctor. This led me to a psychologist who seemed knowledgeable and initially put me on several medications but never recommended a therapist. I honestly thought I was receiving therapy, but I wasn’t getting any better. I was just going through the motions, pretending to get better while slowly losing control of my mind. I never really talked to God except when I was actually having an attack. And the same with family... I was telling them everything, just that I couldn't hang out or talk because I was afraid of an attack.

The anxiety attacks started occurring more frequently and lasting longer. I had been a stay-at-home mom for over ten years. As my kids grew older, I began to find my own life outside of parenting. I volunteered three to four days a week, worked at my church, and started exploring this next chapter of my life. However, I didn’t address or investigate the causes of my anxiety during this time.

All the while, I was not addressing my anxiety mentally, and as a result, I felt myself drifting further away from God. Then COVID happened, turning everyone’s world upside down. Once again, I didn’t turn to God for help; I guess I thought I could do it all on my own. One thing after another began to happen, and instead of opening the Word, talking to God, or confiding in anyone, I simply shut down and hid from the world. This only fueled my anxiety, and I was unaware of the things I could do to combat it in addition to the medications I was taking. The anxiety attacks became constant, and nothing seemed to ease them!

I wasn’t reaching out for the support I needed, nor was I turning to the ONE who could provide the most guidance and strength. The medications weren’t working properly, and my doctor and I were not seeing eye to eye. I was still not in therapy and was never really encouraged to do so by this doctor. I started losing sleep, which began to cause more issues and just increased my anxiety to a point where I never left my house. I hardly ate, lost all communication with family and friends, and just lost myself altogether! After what I believe was a nervous breakdown, I found myself at the end of my rope, and God was the only light at the end of the tunnel.

Isn’t that how it always works? We often have to hit rock bottom before we look up! I began to talk to Him throughout the day, started journaling, and sought answers in the Bible. It was after this that I found the courage to seek a therapist. I made sure to pray about it and asked God to guide me to someone who shared my beliefs and with whom I would feel comfortable talking. God led me to an amazing new doctor who genuinely cared and listened. I began to notice a break in the fog, and that light at the end of the tunnel was getting brighter!

Now at this time, I was spending time daily in the Bible, journaling, trying to identify my triggers, and communicating two to three times a week with my therapist and family about what I was feeling and experiencing. I also returned to church and found my fight again! I reached out to friends and became open and honest about my feelings and experiences. God was moving mountains, and I was no longer standing in His way!

Since then, I have found a new love for God and His Word—a love that deepened when I started each morning with Scripture and prayer. I remember one particular morning when I felt overwhelmed, but as I read Philippians 4:6-7, peace washed over me. That moment was a turning point, a reminder that God was truly walking with me through my struggles. He never promised this life would be easy or that there would be an easy exit from those trials. However, God does promise in many verses like Isaiah 43:2: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.” He will be with us and give us just what we need to face our trials and tribulations.

I have learned that I am not alone in what I am feeling and facing. And that I have to talk—I had to stop hiding and letting my own pride and self-esteem hold me back from relationships. When talking to people, just like when I journal, I am letting it all out and calling it into the light. When we bring it into the light, the enemy has no power over it anymore. John 1:5 says, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

With God, all things are possible, and I am living proof of His transformative power! Even when I wasn’t seeking Him, He was always with me, guiding me to each form of help—from a compassionate doctor and therapist to the power of journaling and open communication. My journey from the darkness of anxiety into God’s healing light is one I share to encourage and uplift anyone facing a similar battle. Anxiety is not the end, and it does not have to define your life. 

If you’re struggling with anxiety, please know that you are not alone. I know how isolating it can feel, but I also know firsthand that there is hope. God is with you in every battle, even when you feel lost or distant from Him. He sees you, loves you, and is ready to walk with you through the storm.

Your journey may not look like mine, but His promise remains the same—He will never leave you.  Give it to God, trust in His timing, and watch as He moves mountains to bring you into the light of healing.Trust in His plan, lean into His love, and let Him guide you into the light. Read Psalm 23 over and over, and hold on to those promises. Let them remind you that the Lord is your Shepherd, your guide, and your protector. Even in the darkest valleys, He is walking beside you, leading you toward peace.

Keep seeking Him, keep holding on, and don’t be afraid to reach out for support. Healing is possible, and joy is ahead. Know that I am here for you, and so is our group Hope Dealers. You don’t have to go through this alone. Let’s walk this journey together, lifting each other up in faith and encouragement.You are not alone, and you are deeply loved.

-Annie Walker