Anxiety, Uncertainty, and Depression

Photo from The Barna Group, 2020.

Have you ever felt anxious, uncertain, or depressed?

You are not alone.

Anxiety, uncertainty, and depression is an epidemic according to The Connected Generation: How Christian Leaders Around the World Can Strengthen Faith and Well-Being Among 18 — 35-Year-Olds, which is a research report by Barna Group.

Barna’s research indicates that “among Millennials, women are significantly more likely than men to feel: anxious about important decisions (47% vs. 33%), uncertain about the future (45% vs. 34%), and sad or depressed (33% vs. 22%).” (The Barna Group, 2020).

Around the holidays, feelings of anxiety, uncertainty, and depression can intensify for many of us, leading to a downward spiral of negative emotions.

God spoke through the Prophet Isaiah, saying, “Say to those who have an anxious heart, Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.'" (Isaiah 35:4).

Those of us who are feeling anxious, uncertain, and depressed can be encouraged because God will come and protect us, God will restore all that is lost, and God will come and save us.

May we be encouraged in our anxiety, uncertainty, and depression and encourage one another with the hope we have in God, and this wisdom of the Proverbs—“An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up." (Proverbs 12:25).

In Christ alone, Robbie

A Prayer For The Discouraged And Downcast: “O God, almighty and merciful, you heal the broken-hearted, and turn the sadness of the sorrowful to joy, Let your fatherly goodness be upon all whom you have made. Remember in pity all those who are this day destitute, homeless, elderly, infirm, or forgotten. Bless the multitude of your poor. Lift up those who are cast down. Mightily befriend innocent sufferers, and sanctify to them the endurance of their wrongs. Cheer with hope all who are discouraged and downcast, and by your heavenly grace preserve from falling those whose poverty tempts them to sin. Though they be troubled on every side, suffer them not to be distressed; though they are perplexed, save them from despair. Grant this, O Lord, for the love of him who for our sakes became poor, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.” (#59., Book Of Common Prayer, 2019).

Photo from The Barna Group, 2020.