“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

anx·i·e·ty aNGˈzīədē/ Noun; a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

Dear Anxiety,

First off let me tell you that, you suck. I hate you so much and I wish you'd go away and leave me alone forever. You're like a leach. You feed from me day by day, slowly trying to break me down. My question is why? Why me? Why am I your lucky hostess? What wrong did I do to deserve this?

You creep up on me. Like a man in the alley coming up from behind me. Scaring me, not giving me much of a chance to just run. I'll be perfectly fine and then suddenly, I'm just worried about literally everything around me. My mind can't calm down no matter what I do, no matter how hard I try. Panic. Tears. Worried looks. That is what I end up facing every single day. It's not okay nor is it worth it. Friends. Family. Coworkers all see it and don't know what to do or say. They push me away because of you. They label me as crazy or dramatic or mean, when I really am not trying to be. But it's what you have forced me into being.

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:19

Dear Anxiety,

My God knows me better than you'll ever know me. My God is there for me when you hit me in the face like a ton of bricks.

God tells us not to fear, for He is with us. And you know what? He is with us. He is with me. So when I start to feel you slowly creep up on me, I'm not going to let you catch me. I'm going to run. If you do however catch me, I'm going to pray. While you might laugh at me and say "I can't" God is whispering in my ear "But my dear you can and you will."

While you're telling me I will screw up, that I'm not pretty enough or skinny enough or fit enough, God is telling me otherwise.

You got to me my senior year, Anxiety. I will never let you break me down again. And depression? You can go to Hell with anxiety.

God created me in HIS image, not yours. God made me beautiful. And while you are the ugliest side of life I have ever seen. I know that God's love is stronger and more powerful than you ever will. I will overcome all the ugly that is life and you know what? You don't define me. You won't define me. And with God on my side, there's nothing you can do to break me down.

So you know what anxiety? You can go to Hell and take your friends panic and depression with you.