Written by: Alex (Banks) Zwiers

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:7
 
It's okay to not feel okay. 
 
Let me say that again: it's okay to not feel okay. 
 
Growing up, anxiety and depression type of feelings were not feelings I was acquainted with. I had friends that struggled, I had family that struggled, but I had never experienced those feelings before. That was until my freshman year playing college basketball at Lipscomb. 
 
If you've ever struggled with anxiety, you know what I'm talking about. Maybe you get a pit/knot in your stomach and you don't know why and lose your appetite...or maybe your anxiety causes you to binge eat/drink/numb out to Netflix...or maybe you feel like you're going to faint out of nowhere...or maybe your hands start shaking and your breaths get shorter...the room may feel like it's closing in and your thoughts run wild. 
 
I say all of this because I know how it feels. It's scary. It's frustrating. It's just plain hard.
 
Being a collegiate athlete is a huge transition. Bouncing around from class…to weights…to class again…to conditioning…to practice…to study hall…to physical therapy…to film…to class again…and somehow finding time to go eat in between it all. It's the best time of your life, but it's a time that can also be a bit overwhelming. 
 
Throughout my time as a freshman struggling with anxiety, I got to the point of where I was having anxiety attacks in chapel…and the cafe…all because I put so much pressure on myself to perform. 
 
If you were to take a peak inside my mind, you would see a girl who put so much pressure on herself to make sure her coaches were happy with how she played, she wanted to make sure her parents were proud, she wanted to reach her own ridiculous expectations for herself, and even trying to please the Lord was buried somewhere deep down in her heart.
 
Maybe you know what that feels like. 
 
The cool thing about Jesus, is that if you ask Him why you're feeling a certain way, He will reveal it to you (Psalm 139: 23-24). And if you ask Him to bring you through your struggles…He will (Hebrews 10:23). It may not be in the time frame you hope, but God lives outside of time and He will surely be faithful to bring you through it (2 Peter 3:8). 
 
I want to challenge you to take 2 minutes to sit and be still with Jesus. Ask Him to bring to your mind where your anxiety (or worries/fear) is coming from. He is such a good Father, and He loves to be there for you because you are His child. 
 
While you're sitting still with Jesus, take a few big, deep breaths. Fill your lungs and be encouraged that Jesus has not left you to go through your struggles on your own. He is with you! (Deuteronomy 31:6) 
 
I want to encourage you with some Scriptures that I would meditate on when going through seasons of anxiety. Focusing on the peace and presence of Jesus truly helped me make through difficult seasons of life. 
 
"…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:6-9)
 
"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock." (Isaiah 26:3-4)
 
"And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for they is its own trouble." (Matthew 6: 27; 33-34) 
 
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-29) 
 
If there was 1 thing I can encourage you with, it's that you are not alone in this season and it will not last forever. Talk to God, talk to a friend, or talk to a counselor. God is still good, even when it may not feel like it. Let Him enter into the tough places with you, because surely he will make the dark seasons of life shine bright once again.