Anxiety disorder can be defined as a medical condition that causes an individual to become consumed with unease to the point of constant worry. A person experiencing anxiety may refrain from doing the things he or she loves for fear of something bad happening. The scenario the person is most concerned about is not necessarily reality. Anxiety, however, overtakes reality when left untreated. Louie Giglio shares a bit of his journey with anxiety and how he escaped its clutches in his devotional, Putting An X Through Anxiety: Breaking Free from the Grip of Worry and Stress.
Freedom from Anxiety
The central theme of Giglio’s devotional is the idea of a person breaking free from anxiety. The author does not attempt to gaslight the reader by saying their experiences with the condition are not real. Giglio instead offers hope that anxiety is not the end. There is a way to better regulate our thoughts so that we don’t constantly lean into worst-case scenarios.
Changing Gears
One way to change focus, according to Giglio, is through praise and worship. The author presents the notion of worship being a “weapon that pierces the darkness.” Giglio goes on to say that using worship through song as a way to shift focus helped him get through the tough nights when his anxiety ruled his days while tormenting his nights. According to the author, it is impossible to focus on everything that could go wrong while you are giving thanks to God.
Giglio also talks about the benefit of deep breathing, which allows the individual to regather their thoughts and refocus their energy. The author points to the reality that, in the middle of an anxiety attack, our breaths become shallow. We may even begin to hyperventilate in an effort to regain control. Remembering to breathe deeply by focusing on the quality of our breathing takes our attention away from the thing worrying us and allows us to re-ground ourselves.
Not Medical Advice
Some books seeking to address the root of anxiety through spiritual means discredit professional help from medical doctors. Louie Giglio encourages readers to utilize every tool to recover, which includes assistance through counseling and prescribed medication. Putting An X Through Anxiety: Breaking Free from the Grip of Worry and Stress, then, is a tool that can be used in conjunction with a person’s medical recovery plan. This book is ideal for those living with anxiety who may want to explore spiritual options for healing. This devotional should not be considered an excuse to end medical treatment for mental health matters.