Battling the Spirit of Anxiety: A Christian Counselor's Perspective

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In our journey through life, we often find ourselves carrying a heavy weight. Loss, failure, sin, tragedy, missed dreams, and the relentless pressures of daily life can leave us feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and heavy-hearted. When left unaddressed, these burdens can pull us away from God and open the door for a spirit of anxiety to steal our peace.

As a Christian counselor, I want to assure you: you are not alone. Depression, anxiety, and grief are common responses to painful circumstances, but they don’t have to define or control your life. You can find hope, healing, and victory in Christ through biblical truth and spiritual insight.

Strongholds and the Reality of Spiritual Warfare

In the spiritual realm, the weight of what we feel is not always emotional—sometimes, it results from spiritual warfare. The Bible teaches that strongholds are deeply entrenched lies, destructive thought patterns, or belief systems that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). These are not just bad habits or emotions; they are fortresses in the mind and heart that the enemy uses to keep us bound, distracted, or hopeless.

The enemy often builds these strongholds during seasons of trauma, fear, sin, or prolonged hardship. They may sound like:

“I’ll never be free.”
“God must be disappointed in me.”
“I have to handle this alone.”

But these are lies, and Scripture calls us to tear them down using spiritual weapons—truth, righteousness, faith, the Word of God, prayer, and the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:10-18). Understanding this battle is key to breaking free from the heaviness of anxiety and reclaiming peace through Christ.

Let’s explore three distinct ways the spirit of anxiety causes heaviness in our lives and how to find freedom:

1. The Weight of Growth

Growth is inherently uncomfortable. When we step out of the familiar, into new responsibilities or unfamiliar seasons, we feel pressure. It’s like building muscle: soreness is part of the process. Spiritually and emotionally, discomfort can signal transformation. Remember, “there’s no growth inside the comfort zone.” God uses these seasons to stretch and strengthen us.

2. Anxiety is a Symptom

Anxiety and depression are often symptoms, not root causes. They are alarm bells, alerting us that something deeper is misaligned—perhaps our pace, priorities, or spiritual focus. God designed our bodies and emotions with signals that invite us to pause and reflect. Ask: Am I walking in my purpose? Is God at the center of my decisions? Invite a trusted Christian counselor or mature believer to help uncover these layers.

3. Recognizing the Spiritual Battle: A Spirit of Heaviness

Sometimes, the weight we feel is a direct spiritual attack. The Bible speaks of a “spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:3) that can burden God’s people. The enemy oppresses us through lies, fear, and confusion, especially when we’re on the edge of a breakthrough or a new season of purpose. However, not all hardship is spiritual warfare—some may be God refining us or the consequences of past decisions. Ask for discernment, stay in prayer, and invite God to reveal the truth.

Finding Freedom in Christ

Here are some practical, biblical strategies for overcoming the spirit of anxiety and breaking spiritual strongholds:

- - Prayer and Spiritual Support:
    Pray with other believers, commanding the spirit of anxiety to flee. Philippians 4:6-7 and 1 Peter 5:7 remind us to cast all our cares on the Lord.
  - Worship and Fixing Your Eyes on Jesus:
    Worship shifts your focus from your problems to God’s power. Psalm 94:19 says, “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.”
  - Grounding Yourself in God’s Word:
    Memorize and meditate on Scripture. Use it to silence anxious thoughts. The Word is your sword in battle.
  - Addressing Negative Self-Talk:
    Replace lies with truth. As Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, “Talk to yourself instead of letting yourself talk to you.”
  - Align with Purpose and Stewardship:
    If you feel stuck, ask God to realign your actions with His purpose for your life. Focus on what you can control, and trust Him with what you cannot.
  - Engage in Community and Encouragement:
    Surround yourself with others who speak the truth. Isaiah 35:3-4 reminds us to “Say to those with anxious hearts, ‘Be strong, fear not! Your God will come… He will save you.’”
  - Practice Philippians 4:6–8:
    Turn worry into prayer, thank God, and dwell on whatever is true, noble, and praiseworthy. God’s peace will guard your heart and mind.

You Are Not Alone

Anxiety is not your identity. Christ is your peace. You can walk in freedom through intentional prayer, biblical truth, and a willingness to confront spiritual strongholds. The Spirit of the Lord can trade your spirit of heaviness for a garment of praise (Isaiah 61:3). Healing is possible. Peace is promised. And Christ walks with you every step of the way.

My name is Jane Perkins and I am a Licensed Christian Biblical counselor who is unafraid to provide answers and guidance from scripture. I offer ONLINE THERAPY in ILLINOIS AND MISSOURI. Please reach out, I’d love to hear your story.
Let’s set up a time to chat today!
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Seeking Help: Mental Health and Faith

In our Christian walk, asking for God’s guidance is important. If you need help with mental health and want to explore what God says about your struggles, contact a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who uses Biblical faith to guide you. Are You Ready Counseling, LLC. Contact Jane Perkins, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who integrates Biblical Faith and Counseling to address your mental health needs.

Battling the Spirit of Anxiety: A Christian Counselor’s Perspective

Strongholds and the Reality of Spiritual Warfare