Author Curtis Chang personally understands the suffering anxiety causes. Growing up, he was a latchkey kid who dealt with severe anxiety every day, tormenting him with fearful thoughts that his parents would never come home from work and leave him to fend for himself. He coped by repeatedly calling his mother’s office and tracking her arrival home.
While serving as a pastor, Curtis coped with anxiety through preparation and study. But the stress of pastoring eventually pushed him beyond his ability to cope, and he had a breakdown. His struggle to get adequate rest was so severe that he barely slept for two weeks and suffered depression so severe it required professional help.
Anxiety not only feels awful. It is damaging.
Curtis is now a consulting faculty member of Duke Divinity School and a senior fellow at Fuller Theological Seminary. He’s with me on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly to provide practical tools for managing anxiety and to explain the opportunity anxiety presents us to turn to God.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus experienced anxiety (John 12:27-28). He worried about his suffering and death through crucifixion. But Jesus took His anxiety to His Father and submitted to His will.
Curtis also points to the Gospel of Mark where Jesus is approached by numerous individuals who all seem to be dealing with anxiety. Jesus meets them where they are. Anxiety is not an obstacle to coming to Jesus. It’s the entrance to spiritual growth.
Curtis and I discuss practical, yet effective, strategies for coping with anxiety, including:
- Flight vs. Fight Habits
- Managing Flight Habits
- Managing Fight Habits
Hear my full conversation with Curtis Chang on your local radio station, online, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or take us with you on our free phone app, or watch on YouTube. This program is part of our “Best of” series for 2024, airing throughout the month of December.
Curtis’ book The Anxiety Opportunity: How Worry Is the Doorway to Your Best Self is available for a gift of any amount. That money goes right back into ministry, providing hope and help to families just like yours. Click here for more information. And when you help Focus on the Family today with a gift, your donation will be DOUBLED for twice the impact in helping others through this ministry. Our thanks to generous donors who’ve made that possible.
If you’re dealing with anxiety, we have caring Christian counselors on staff, and it would be their privilege to offer you a free consultation. Call us, leave your name and number, and they’ll get back with you just as soon as possible. The number during business hours is 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).
