Worry - how to live with and overcome anxiety.....

Anxiety seems to be endemic in our society.  There have been said to be two sorts of anxiety. The first is ACUTE which is anxiety triggered by crises or irritations. It is temporary and though may be upsetting for a while we can quickly get over it.  The second is CHRONIC anxiety which is an ongoing and habitual state of mind that some people seem to live with all the time.This has a deep affect on how people view the world and others. Jesus spoke about anxiety -

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?’” (Luke 12:22-26, NIV).

These words are good news and there is more good news in that there are certain spiritual habits that we can develop and nurture that help us reduce both sorts of anxiety. (This list comes from Ann Morisy's book "Bothered and Bewildered" page  76)

• become aware of how you react - who can wind you up - what things "push your buttons" Each of us will react differently to different situations, circumstances or people. If we know ourselves well enough to be able to predict how we are likely to be affected then we can respond instead of react.
• if we are able to recognise that most problems are very complex and have many causes in our complex and interrelated world. Everything exists within systems of relationships. Recognising this complexity can prevent us from scapegoating - that is to say seeing one cause or person or group of people to be responsible. 
• Not take on board other peoples anxieties. We can hear what people are saying but don't have to get caught up into siding with them. Rather than make their response our own we should help others to take responsibility for the way they themselves feel. It is not necessary to follow the herd.
• become a non-anxious presence. Once we know ourselves well enough to recognise our own anxiety can we then "park" it, consciously putting it to one side. Some find the Buddhist practise of softening your eyes helps. When we are anxious our eyes become hard and hostile, and in this state we are more likely to respond with aggresive gut reactions. Softening the eyes means becoming quiet, more open to God and to each other. Human eyes are always soft when they gaze upon a new born baby.

Anxiety is not a natural state for people. It can be caused by many things in our modern world. And most importantly,  it can be overcome.