This article is extremely personal for me. These days it seems like more of our generation suffers from some level of anxiety than do not. So, while I hope no one struggles as I do, I also hope it is relevant and helpful.

Anxiety can manifest itself in many forms. My own can affect me in a lot of ways. Frequently, it hits me as I come to consciousness in the morning. Suddenly the weight of the world is pressing on my chest, from the ever-growing list of things to accomplish by the end of that day alone, to where on earth my life is headed over the next 5 years (I have absolutely no clue).

My pulse begins to race, I feel nauseous, and often I don’t know how to even get out of bed. Luckily, I do know that I have a God who has a plan for me and cares for me. What I can’t seem to reconcile is why I can’t always shake the unease when I pray and try to give my worries to Him.

The Bible says it over and over. Some version of, “give your worries to God and you’ll be okay.” (1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6). Believe me, I try. I have fully come to the conclusion that I cannot make it through this life without Jesus holding me up.

And truly, sometimes I do feel His peace wash over me, but more often I’m still left wondering, “Why?” At times, I feel like I’m failing. I’m not working hard enough, I don’t have enough faith, something about ME just isn’t enough.

Jesus promises to be our Savior and our Love and our Protector. He promises to hold us up through life. But perhaps, the struggle of anxiety is part of our growth. He won’t take it away entirely because it hasn’t grown us fully yet. I know I have come to rely on Him more and more since the onset of my anxiousness.

And each morning, while my prayer doesn’t always ease the manifestations of the anxiety, I make it out of bed and out the door and through the day. Jesus has me, and He has you. We just have to keep trusting in His plan. Regardless of if the relief I wish for comes every time I ask for it, I never have to doubt that at the end of the day God has a plan for me.