"Nerves"
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I don’t know if this is the best forum for this topic, but I didn’t see another that it seemed to fit. And I am not sure how best to ask what I want to ask, but I’ll just plunge in and hope I don’t ramble too much.
We all know that worry and anxiousness are evidences of lack of trust. But on the other hand, a certain amount of nervousness seems normal, say, when someone has to speak or do anything publicly. My pastor said something once to the effect that if an angry dog was chasing you, you may be praying and trusting that the Lord will deliver you, but your heart will be racing. That helped me to understand that certain physical responses to circumstances are just the body’s response to stimuli and aren’t sinful in themselves.
But how do you know when a case of “nerves” goes beyond a natural reaction and into anxiety? For instance, when I have any event coming up that I have some responsibility or role in, no matter how minor, I feel nervous. Even when I’ve prayed about it, prepared as best I can, and am trusting the Lord for grace through it all, there is still an undercurrent of nervousness throughout the day. The best way I’ve found to deal with it is just to keep so busy I don’t have time to think about it, and if I do think about it, to entrust it all to the Lord again. But I wish there was a way to just turn that feeling off.
Is that normal and the best way to deal with it? Or is that missing “the peace that passes all understanding?” That peace usually arrives once whatever the event is has begun. It’s pretty much just the hours leading up to it that are a struggle.
We all know that worry and anxiousness are evidences of lack of trust. But on the other hand, a certain amount of nervousness seems normal, say, when someone has to speak or do anything publicly. My pastor said something once to the effect that if an angry dog was chasing you, you may be praying and trusting that the Lord will deliver you, but your heart will be racing. That helped me to understand that certain physical responses to circumstances are just the body’s response to stimuli and aren’t sinful in themselves.
But how do you know when a case of “nerves” goes beyond a natural reaction and into anxiety? For instance, when I have any event coming up that I have some responsibility or role in, no matter how minor, I feel nervous. Even when I’ve prayed about it, prepared as best I can, and am trusting the Lord for grace through it all, there is still an undercurrent of nervousness throughout the day. The best way I’ve found to deal with it is just to keep so busy I don’t have time to think about it, and if I do think about it, to entrust it all to the Lord again. But I wish there was a way to just turn that feeling off.
Is that normal and the best way to deal with it? Or is that missing “the peace that passes all understanding?” That peace usually arrives once whatever the event is has begun. It’s pretty much just the hours leading up to it that are a struggle.
I think what you describe is ‘normal’ nerves. I do believe that if someone regularly experiences anxiety that keeps them from functioning, they should see their doctor to check for an underlying physiological cause. Otherwise, the ‘fear’ response is a good thing- your body releases chemicals (such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, adrenalin and glucose) that result in heightened awareness and perception and an increase in energy, certain muscles relax so that more air can be taken into the lungs, and vision becomes more acute. This is part of our God-designed hard wiring, and we shouldn’t be too quick to feel bad about those responses kicking in when we are challenged in some way.
We should be careful about saying that fears are sinful, because it’s hard to be consistent about that. For example, I am very comfortable speaking in front of people or being involved with/in charge of projects large and small. I don’t see why this is such a nerve-wracking thing to some people. You prepare yourself with study and prayer, you are usually in front of people who like you, want to see you do well, and desire to hear what you have to say. You even get to have your outlines all written out in case you lose your place. I could say in all my ‘confidence’ that you aren’t trusting God and that your nerves aren’t rational.
But- I am afraid of water. I’ve tried for years to learn how to swim, I’ve even gone white water rafting- but when I get into water that is over my waist, or even standing on the bank of a large body of water, I tend to hyperventilate. Am I sinning because I am unable to control this involuntary physical reaction? It’s completely irrational- I can be standing with both feet on the bottom of the pool, or on the river bank for cryin’ out loud, and I’m still trying not to gulp for air. I don’t feel that I’m not ‘trusting God’ to not miraculously drown me on dry land. It happens. I deal with it.
What is important is that we put our weaknesses in perspective and don’t allow them to incapacitate us. You still do what you gotta’ do in spite of your nerves, and that’s a good thing. I still go fishing, white water rafting, ‘swimming’… I just look certifiable when I’m doing it.
I think the Psalms, as well as the trials that the prophets and apostles faced give us comfort in this area- courage isn’t not being afraid, it’s acting sensibly in spite of your fear.
We should be careful about saying that fears are sinful, because it’s hard to be consistent about that. For example, I am very comfortable speaking in front of people or being involved with/in charge of projects large and small. I don’t see why this is such a nerve-wracking thing to some people. You prepare yourself with study and prayer, you are usually in front of people who like you, want to see you do well, and desire to hear what you have to say. You even get to have your outlines all written out in case you lose your place. I could say in all my ‘confidence’ that you aren’t trusting God and that your nerves aren’t rational.
But- I am afraid of water. I’ve tried for years to learn how to swim, I’ve even gone white water rafting- but when I get into water that is over my waist, or even standing on the bank of a large body of water, I tend to hyperventilate. Am I sinning because I am unable to control this involuntary physical reaction? It’s completely irrational- I can be standing with both feet on the bottom of the pool, or on the river bank for cryin’ out loud, and I’m still trying not to gulp for air. I don’t feel that I’m not ‘trusting God’ to not miraculously drown me on dry land. It happens. I deal with it.
What is important is that we put our weaknesses in perspective and don’t allow them to incapacitate us. You still do what you gotta’ do in spite of your nerves, and that’s a good thing. I still go fishing, white water rafting, ‘swimming’… I just look certifiable when I’m doing it.
I think the Psalms, as well as the trials that the prophets and apostles faced give us comfort in this area- courage isn’t not being afraid, it’s acting sensibly in spite of your fear.
I agree with Susan. I’ve heard it said that if you do not sense the “butterflies” a little bit when called upon to minister in public, that perhaps it means you are overly self-confident. I haven’t thought hard about that one. Just throwin’ it out there.
I think your reaction is normal…not over the top. When a fear begins to manifest itself in a manner that is odd (think OCD for instance) or physiologically unusual (chronic tachycardia for example) I think it certainly deserves a closer look. Your response as you gave it is correct and biblical. Give it to the Lord in prayer. Remind yourself of stabilizing truths. I don’t know how many times I’ve quoted “I sought the Lord and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” and also the text of Psalm 121.
If there are stressful circumstances that I know will throw my whole being into emotional overdrive, I map out a plan beforehand. Sorta like a fire drill, because I know I rarely react in a biblical manner when I am burning my emotional candle at both ends. We have to go by what we know, not be what we feel. God’s Word is our anchor.
I think your reaction is normal…not over the top. When a fear begins to manifest itself in a manner that is odd (think OCD for instance) or physiologically unusual (chronic tachycardia for example) I think it certainly deserves a closer look. Your response as you gave it is correct and biblical. Give it to the Lord in prayer. Remind yourself of stabilizing truths. I don’t know how many times I’ve quoted “I sought the Lord and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” and also the text of Psalm 121.
If there are stressful circumstances that I know will throw my whole being into emotional overdrive, I map out a plan beforehand. Sorta like a fire drill, because I know I rarely react in a biblical manner when I am burning my emotional candle at both ends. We have to go by what we know, not be what we feel. God’s Word is our anchor.
"I pray to God this day to make me an extraordinary Christian." --Whitefield http://strengthfortoday.wordpress.com
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