For most of my adult life, I struggled periodically with mild anxiety. Whether it was a busy time at work, a difficult family issue, or just a general sense of worry, I would push through it and write it off as ājust the way I am.ā In the spring of 2014, however, my anxiety went into overdrive. I work in accounting and finance, and a potential tax issue came up that really threw me for a loop. I found myself with a lot of condemning thoughts, such as: āWhy did you not see this coming sooner?ā, or āYou are going to bring embarrassment to yourself and to the company.ā As my anxiety worsened over the course of three or four weeks, I was unable to eat or sleep, and I found that my mind kept re-playing worst case scenarios of how this issue might play out.
I have always been a deeply committed Catholic, and I have a pretty sound personal prayer life. So naturally, I tried all the things that normally work for me when I get anxious ā praying through the psalms, counting all the blessings in my life, going to confession, talking the situation over with some good Christian friends ā but this time nothing seemed to be working. The anxiety continued to get worse, I dropped 15 pounds off an already slim frame, and the panicked thoughts became my constant companion. I should add that my wife was an awesome support during this time, but even her love and comfort could not shake me out of this rut.
I found myself asking an interesting question:Ā Ā āWhat do you do when everything that should be working in your faith life, suddenly isnāt working?āĀ Ā Ā Prayer times and church attendance wasnāt bringing me peace, and the supportive words from my wife and friends didnāt seem to help me. And when I tried reasoning by faith with thoughts like āthis is not so bad,ā or ācome on man snap out of it,ā they seemed to have no power. I was officially stuck. Looking back on it now, I can see that the evil one had me in a state of spiritual bondage ā to the point where I felt like I was trapped in a living hell, with no way out.
Thankfully with Godās grace, my faith was strong enough and my spirit willing enough that I refused to give up. I went to my most trusted Christian friends, and I asked them if they would pray with me for a specific deliverance from what I believed was an evil spirit of irrational fear and anxiety. They readily agreed, and we met at church in a meeting room and started to pray. My friends prayed prayers over me such as: āJesus deliver our brother from anxiety and fear,ā āIn the name of Jesus we cast out anything that is keeping our friend in bondage.ā āBless our brother and return him to a place of peace and trust in you.ā
Over the course of 30 minutes of prayer, I began to feel a sense of relief that I had desperately been seeking. I felt comfort, warmth, and peace flowing into me. I can say that I literally felt like those evil spirits were being pulled out of me by Jesus. Interestingly, one of my friends shared with me that he had a sense that I might also be dealing with some type of chemical issue in my mind that was compounding my anxiety. He said I should consider using a small daily dose of anti-anxiety medication to help me keep a more even keel during the day.
Now, I wonāt tell you that I have never had an anxious moment since that day, but I will tell you that I believe that something miraculous happened in me as a result of that time of prayer. I am literally a new man. I call myself 2.0 ā thatās how new I feel! I know there was a spirit of anxiety that was ripped out of me that day, and it has never returned. Over the past seven years, I am happier, more peaceful, more confident and composed at work, more able to relax at night and on the weekends, and healthier. I have gained 40 pounds, but in my case that is a good thing! I have continued on a light dose of anti-anxiety medicine each day, and I believe that it has also been a big part of my healing. I have also joined a gym and I go there regularly to work out and relieve any stress I may be feeling.
I also want to give special credit to my wife and those friends who prayed with me that day. Both my wife and my friends have continued to encourage me and support me over the past seven years since my miraculous healing. Sometimes when we ask the Lord for healing, we hope to get 10, or 15, or 20 percent better. Well, I can confidently tell you that I am about 300 percent better, and I donāt think that I am special. I believe that these sorts of miracles are waiting for you as well!
Ask yourself this question: āDo I have an area of my life where I just feel flat out stuck?āĀ Ā If so, it mayĀ Ā be something more than just a problem that can be solved naturally. The evil one might be trying to hold you in bondage in that particular area, and you may need to gather some trusted friends to pray with you for the Lord to cast that issue out of your life.Ā Ā Most importantly, never give up hope in God.Ā Ā The Lordās promises in the scripture are for all of us, including you!Ā Ā
āCome to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest for your soulsā.
(Matthew 11:28)
Top image credit: Illustration of birds flying upward toward God, from Bigstock.com, Ā© byĀ Mike_Kiev, stock photo ID # 12116657
Dave Fitzsimmons is a retired coordinator in Triumph of the Cross Community in Frederick, Maryland, USA. Ā Dave was baptized in the Spirit in his university years and has been in Community now for 40 years.
great witness – thank you. Carl Moccia, People of Hope, NJ
Thank you Dave for sharing this testimony and for remembering us the power, love, and mercy of the Lord. Our strength comes from the Lord.
Dear God thank you for healing our brother in Jesus name.Amen
Please pray š for me, I have anxiety and I’m very scared. I never experienced this before. I need prayers for healing. My name is Carmen Farina.
I know how you feel, Carmen. I’m right there with you.
Lord, please heal sister Carmen. Let her know, Lord, that you are always with her, will never forsake her, and you have not given her a spirit of fear, but of love. Remind her that she is fiercely loved, and there is nothing, NOTHING that you can’t overcome, even mental illness. I declare in Jesus name that any spirit of fear, sorrow, and any iniquity flees from you. In Jesus name, Amen.
Iām going through anxiety really bad too… I canāt sleep well because the thoughts drive me crazy!! And at times Iām not hungry either… itās horrible!!!! I want to be healed from this
My name is John and I believe in the power of Jesus……dear Jesus help me take my anxiety away…….Praise the Lord
Pray for me. I’m praying everyday, trying to put all my trust to God, but anxiety, especially at night is the worst feeling I’ve ever experienced. I’m often feeling like I’m in complete darkness with no way out. And in this darkness I can’t even see God, only death, who is telling me that I can’t live like this anymore and there’s no chance left for me. Please pray, I hope God will bring me out of this darkness into His light.
I know it’s a bit of a late reply Kamile but your comment moved me and I hope your situation has since improved. I am praying for you regardless…
Kamile, your comment moved me too. Iāve been there and sometimes i feel myself slipping back to the darkness. I hope youāre healed but Iāll also be praying for you.
I pray my anxiety and OCD will go , it’s been very very extreme for 10 years it cripples me to near suicide
Iām praying for you Steven.
There is a bubble of protection placed over you. This bubble is filled with Godās love and abundant desire for your life. Your pain will turn into purpose and you will help others through their own journey of fear. And so it is, in Jesus name.
I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder. We know that trusting in Jesus Christ can deliver us from anxiety.
I have a severe anxiety for past 10 years , like ocd obsessive compulsive disorder . Please pray for me šš . I need an instant healing feom jesus christ. He died for our sins in cross . I trust him always šÆā¤ļøš„°.please heal me too lord Jesus Christ. Help me to come out from my anxiety problems in my life . Increase my faith in you. I will pray daily to get out of this anxiety problem. Please save me from this anxiety problem. My name is Richard Francis
I have anxiety lately it gotten worst lack of sleep stress family problems financial problems too much happening all at once I went back home and knowing it was the biggest mistake and now Iām in and out of the hospital with anxiety itās so scary Father God I need you please save me heal mešš»šš»
Please pray for me! Iāve been struggling with this for years, I havenāt left my house in 3 years because of this anxiety and panic disorder. Itās gotten worse over the last 2 weeks I donāt feel real, I canāt eat or get out of bed and I have 2 small children to care for.
May Jesus annihilate your anxiety and make you free and whole. In Jesus’ name, I pray for you, Mercedez.
To anybody who needs to hear this, I came looking for answers . I’ve had crippling anxiety for the past 10 years. It’s landed me in the ER several times, and was truly squeezing the life out of me. In the recent months it was at its worst. Home/work/sleep, it was there. Last week I broke down and cried out to God for help. I pleaded to be normal again. That night I saw something that science or logic can’t explain. I’m 5 days into being free from a single panic attack. I feel like I don’t deserve this. So.many better people out there who deserved it. Im brought to tears when I recall that night. Forever in debt, and forever grateful. Don’t ever give up, no matter how hard the climb.
Thank you for your testimony. Im writing from Poland. I have anxiety I’M SO scared, please pray for me I beg you. God have mercy on me.
Hi, I’ve been suffering from chipping anxiety for over two years and it is at its worse now that I stopped taking an anxiolitic which I was depended on. I am suffering without being able to work or get out of the house as my energy level is not there. Please keep me in your prayers as I need much helpšš»šš».
Feeling very agitated with bad thoughts at time.