Refocusing on Christ in a world of anxiety

illustration by Ashleigh Ward

Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God.” This is a verse most people know or have heard before, but fail to follow correctly. How many of us, I wonder, go to this verse and tell ourselves not to stress about an upcoming test or maybe a doctor’s appointment. While these are completely valid examples, we forget to apply this principle “in every situation” as the scripture states.

We live in a world of mental health decline, where anxiety has the upper hand, but we also live in a world of comparison. There is a correlation between the two. The relationship between mental health and social comparison is not new. Leon Festinger, in 1954, developed his Social Comparison theory in which he believes humans have an instinctive nature to compare themselves to others. This leads to what I call “Overanalysis Paralysis.”

Picture a position you have always wanted, whether that be in a school production, in the workplace or on a sports team. You have probably played multiple scenarios in your head of how you would perform in that role if you were chosen. Now, imagine with me that you have succeeded in your dream. You got the position! However, on your first day, all you feel is this anxious weight of worry.

Your mind is focused on what your role is and how others have been perceived in that position previously. You spend the entire time trying to accomplish the role as they did, leading you to constantly doubt your own capabilities and overanalyze the situation, which prevents you from doing your best.

Comparison, doubt and anxiety cripple us. 1 Peter 3:3-5 says, “Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

This verse reminds us that we are valued in God’s eyes not for who we try to be, but for who we are and the person we become through Him. In Psalms 139:14, David writes, “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Throughout our lives, the world will tell us to compare ourselves to others in everything from how we dress to where we go on vacation to what job we pursue. For the world, it is profitable if we do not know our value and our worth, but for our hearts and minds, it can be detrimental. 

Everything we look at on social media or the news is geared to make us anxious, depressed or jealous. It makes us unconsciously compare ourselves with others, trapping us in a cycle of doubt and overanalysis. 

If we follow the world down the path of comparison, instead of finding our value in Him, knowing He created us uniquely, we begin to feel a need to prove ourselves or to be something we are not.

“Don’t shine so that others can see you,” British writer and theologian C.S. Lewis said. “Shine so that through you, others can see HIM.” 

By refocusing our minds on Christ, we can become the person He created us to be in His image, glorifying Him with our thoughts and actions.