Can having a closer relationship with God help with social anxiety?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Status
Not open for further replies.
May 4, 2009
1,534
6
0
#1
I'm just wondering since the church that I went to today basically said that indirectly. I got that conclusion because they were saying that there are 4 main ways demons attack us. 1. Our relationship with God. 2. What we think of ourselves. 3. Our relationship with others. 4. Materialism. They were saying that as we get closer to God. The problems with 2-4 would start to go away. Is there any scripture to support this?
 
G

greatkraw

Guest
#2
I'm just wondering since the church that I went to today basically said that indirectly. I got that conclusion because they were saying that there are 4 main ways demons attack us. 1. Our relationship with God. 2. What we think of ourselves. 3. Our relationship with others. 4. Materialism. They were saying that as we get closer to God. The problems with 2-4 would start to go away. Is there any scripture to support this?
They are pretty spot on.

Mental issues are caused by incorrectly dealing with the following.

1 Guilt
2 Shame
3 Fear
4 Ingratitude.

These correspond exactly with 1 to 4 in your post.

The Bible has something to say about each of these issues.

Specifically, Jesus died on the cross to deal with 1 and 3

You need God's help to deal with 2 and 4 as they require you to humble your self and make correct choices.
 
G

giantone

Guest
#3
When you get closer to God your problems don't go away in fact God guarantees persecution if you are a Christian.

The one thing I find very true is if the everything in my day goes bad and my mind is focused on God and my heart is joyful I have a good day, but if my day goes fantastic and my mind is not thankful or glad I have a very bad day.

Circumstances are not a problem with God, we are to be like Him and not base how we are on any trials we may go through.

When something goes wrong worldly people react accordingly Christians are the opposite of the worldly.
 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
3,041
1,027
113
New Zealand
#4
All mental disturbances and problems have antidotes through Jesus, in scripture.. far as social anxiety goes.. there are steps you can see in Phillipians

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, make your requests known to God, and the peace of God that passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"

so-- what I do

1- write down anxious thoughts
2- pray and consider the antitheses to these thoughts
3- write down the antithesis and cross out the worry thoughts
4- thank God for His presence with you

thinking things through completely with God alleviates worry and anxiety
 
M

machew

Guest
#5
I'm just wondering since the church that I went to today basically said that indirectly. I got that conclusion because they were saying that there are 4 main ways demons attack us. 1. Our relationship with God. 2. What we think of ourselves. 3. Our relationship with others. 4. Materialism. They were saying that as we get closer to God. The problems with 2-4 would start to go away. Is there any scripture to support this?
dothackzero: They are correct in what they are saying. When you get closer to God you start to experience God's Love more and more. As you experience more of His Love, you start caring less about what other people think about you, and more about what God thinks of you. When you find out that God is absolutely delighted with you and it becomes real and more than just a concept in your head, nothing can take that away and you begin to start loving who you are and build confidence in yourself.

1 John 4:18(NASB)
18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
All anxiety is the result of fear. So when we get saturated in God's Love the fear can't remain.

Hopefully this makes sense.

Blessings!
 
G

greatkraw

Guest
#6
1 John 4:18(NASB)
All anxiety is the result of fear. So when we get saturated in God's Love the fear can't remain.

Hopefully this makes sense.

Blessings!

This is true - 'perfect love casts out fear'
 
M

Markus

Guest
#7
Social anxiety can be a disorder that has to be treated. It's not true that it automatically goes away when you have a closer relationship with God. Of course He can cure it in an instance, like He can cure any desease, but He doesn't garantuee that He will do that right away. In my case He didn't. I needed group therapy for 1.5 years, 4 days a week, and that helped. Before that, I thought I was a bad person, because of course I knew that I didn't need to be afraid of anything, yet I was terrified of people. That made me feel even more miserable. But now I see that I really had a disorder, it wasn't just a heavier form of shyness, it wasn't that I didn't trust God, it was of a totally different order. It was a handicap, a desease. And just as it is very cruel to tell someone without legs to walk, it's also very cruel to give the impression that fear disappears when you have a relationship with God. It's not that simple.
 
May 4, 2009
1,534
6
0
#8
hmm, I guess I was hoping for a quick fix. So therpy for social anxiety really works?
 
D

Definition_Christ

Guest
#9
Lol there is no "quick fix". The key is: How you deal with it.

Just keep praying and God will definitely strengthen you remember. His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
 
May 4, 2009
1,534
6
0
#10
Actually, how do I tell if it's SA and not just shyness?
 
T

Tree_Spirit

Guest
#11
Being a person that has social anxiety disorder and a few other mental disorders, take from me, it doesn't go away .Yes it can be treated but it's never really under control in some people.I have a close relationship with God, in the ways that God has seen fit for me to have with him in my disorders.Has my disorders gone away NO..I do therapy etc but still carry my disorders with me everyday.People think these kind of disorders just poof and go away they don't.Mental issues are very taboo for most people and they think they understand it.

Mostly people that haven't had a close relationships with the a mentally disabled person, don't understand them unless you've had close relationship with someone who had theses kind of isses.Not that i dont believe God cures anything,he does. It's a fact people with mental issues can suffer from it there whole life.My mom also has a mental disorders,it also can run in families.I'm not one who not ashamed of who i am,i also know the stigma that is place onto people like me by the masses.

to say mental issues caused by this?

1 Guilt
2 Shame
3 Fear
4 Ingratitude

The above can aspects of a disorder but not caused of either. Mental issues can be caused by being inherited or trauma.I have lot of experience in mental issues area from my mom having mental issues from time i was 6 years until 40 and my husband having a mental disorder issues for 22 years of my marriage .
 
M

Marksnet

Guest
#12
Physically speaking:
Your brain operates on Pleasure/Pain-----every motive of you operates on this from what you eat to what you wear to what you do.

Not that you have to mention on here but, what in your past can you write down that may have caused this insecurity, shyness, or SA??

Then try to see if you can write down how you can fix this objectively, there will be practice before perfection if ever perfection is acheived.

This symptom can be one thing but the solution lies in the root.

Your condition is near and dear to me.
Do you?
Want to be liked and scared that someone may not like you?
Are you insecure? And if so,, search yourself and find out what about.

Conclusion=
Most SA goes away when you learn to develop an attitude of loving yourself enough that no matter what someone else thinks or feels about you, you are still Happy with yourself in a manner of speaking. I can never be totally happy with myself as there is always much need for improvement.

Also, when you pray,,,, most times God answers our prayers by presenting circumstances for us to handle our problem. So if you pray for this to go away chances are God is going to present you with opportunity to overcome this thru "action".. Be intentional,,,be purposeful,,,make yourself say hello regardless of how many reciprocate. When you get comfy with this move on to the next level,, say hello, then ask how they are doing to the ones that respond.

Make it a game, if you really want to have fun ask the ones that dont say hey back how they are doing today.. If you want to get serious about it,, put yourself out there and the ones that look upset that you said hello, stop them and look them in the eye and ask them if everything is ok and tell them that you hope it works out for them or whatever you are led to do.

These intentional acts can create a totally new paradigm for your life!
 
M

Marksnet

Guest
#13
Please do not take my post as the end all,, not that you would but, some diseases are simply our thorn in life. SA, Scitszo....., Bipolar disorder so on..

God cures but, sometimes it is thru the hands of Doctors.. I was able to somewhat become comfortable with myself and now I just tell people that I am a weirdo in person and they laugh at me and I laugh with them! They think I am totally normal? Go figger...
 
C

carebear

Guest
#14
Thankyou for asking this question...I know that I've been terribly "shy" my whole life. I kept thinking it would go away as I got older and did more things, but its seems to be in-graded inside of me. I've learned how to communicate better in "on the spot" situations and sort of practice how to hide it from people. But still my addrenaline goes off in the middle of nowhere, sort of like being up on a stage in front of a camera or something.
But I do believe that A walk with Jesus gives confidence.... and faith. God makes no mistakes... uniquness is what makes this world a beautiful place. God can still work through what some people may think are "imperfections" or "quirks" . All of us have something special to give or to share....
 
May 21, 2009
3,955
25
0
#15
God can help you with any and all of your problems. He says not to worry. He says don't be afraid. We can hear those words a million times and not have them set into our hearts. Not really look at the words or learn what they mean. We don't worry because we learn that God can do all things. We are to throw our problems to God. And trust him to be able to fix our problems. God loves you so much and he doesn't want you having problems. He says to rest in him. Lean on him. Know that he can do all things. Say God I have this problem and I'm giving it to you. I don't want it it's yours and I know yu will fix it. A long time ago I could stand in a line of people and feel like I was going to pass out right in front of everyone. The fear in my mind of falling down and laying there in front of a bunch of people horrified me. I knew there was a God but I didn't really know much about him. I'd be standing there praying in my mind God don't let me pass out in front of all these people. Ididn't know anything about my prayers being power from God. I didn't know anything about because I believed in God I had a right because he says so to expect my prayers to be answered. I never thought he loves me so much he doesn't me going through this torment. And I sure didn't know anything about telling the devil to get away from me in the name of Jesus. That I had power to put satan under my feet. Or about putting the full armor of God on. I don't have all kinds of problems I used to have Thank God. Keep learning all you can about God and he can set you free.
 
G

greatkraw

Guest
#16
Being a person that has social anxiety disorder and a few other mental disorders, take from me, it doesn't go away .Yes it can be treated but it's never really under control in some people.I have a close relationship with God, in the ways that God has seen fit for me to have with him in my disorders.Has my disorders gone away NO..I do therapy etc but still carry my disorders with me everyday.People think these kind of disorders just poof and go away they don't.Mental issues are very taboo for most people and they think they understand it.

Mostly people that haven't had a close relationships with the a mentally disabled person, don't understand them unless you've had close relationship with someone who had theses kind of isses.Not that i dont believe God cures anything,he does. It's a fact people with mental issues can suffer from it there whole life.My mom also has a mental disorders,it also can run in families.I'm not one who not ashamed of who i am,i also know the stigma that is place onto people like me by the masses.

to say mental issues caused by this?

1 Guilt
2 Shame
3 Fear
4 Ingratitude

The above can aspects of a disorder but not caused of either. Mental issues can be caused by being inherited or trauma.I have lot of experience in mental issues area from my mom having mental issues from time i was 6 years until 40 and my husband having a mental disorder issues for 22 years of my marriage .
These are the broad categories of what is behind mental problems. People end up with a combination of these problem. I have experienced each of these things and I know people well who are deeply affected by them.

Each category can have an infinite number of origins.
Modern psychology encourages people to find something to blame in their history or circumstances. But that doesn't help them overcome the condition and experience the freedom that is available in Christ.

1 Guilt is when we break someone elses rules; especially if it is God's rules. The proper cure is FORGIVENESS, not finding someone to blame.

2. Shame is letting ourselves down. That is we do not meet our own expectations.
The proper cure is to foregive ourselves, not to make excuses or find someone else to blame.

3. Fear is devastating and has any number of causes. It goes by many names including anxiety and shyness. The only HEALTHY way to deal with it is to totally rest in God***** Jesus Christ died on the cross for YOUR fears.

4. Ingratitude is a choice we make. They are the people who see the glass as half empty rather than half full. There is always something we are lacking or someone else has that we don't. On the other hand there is always someone WORSE off than we are. We ned to change our attitude AND GOD IS WILLING TO HELP.

Medication does not provide a permanent solution to any of these conditions.

*****
I was in hospital with a catheter in me. One is very protective of one's catheter bag in this situation. On one occasion I entrusted my catheter bag to my favourite nurse because I trusted her.(This is like trusting God) I quickly snatched it back from her and this told me that I did not trust her as much as I thought.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God
 
Last edited:
S

sunshine_debbie

Guest
#17
I guess I might as well throw my two cents into the mix. As many of you know, I am going through a severe panic and depressive episode. Today is officially one week of crippling anxiety, fear, and depression. I have received a lot of information, talked to a lot of people, had the dr. adjust my anxiety medication, received healing prayer from people on this site, and most importantly tried my ample best to Give this all over to God. I have tried to live a closer walk with Jesus. I have turned off the tv, and not even looked at a book in a week. I have read verses of scripture, went to Church, and have an appt. with our minister, and a therapist. I have to say that I do not feel ANY better AT ALL. Every day I cry hysterically and beg my husband not to leave me and go to work, or to let me go to work with him.

But now, I have hope at least. I know that God might not heal me, but he will help me to live with my condition. I know that even if God chooses to let me die (which is how I feel and what I am afraid of), then he will also take me to Heaven and let me live with him in a sin free life, with the energy and stamina to love him and sing his praises every minute of the day. I will on longer hurt or feel this crippling pain and fear.

I also know that God may choose to allow this to stay with me. That it is more important to refine my character then make me feel ok. I know that I may end up drooling in a mental institution, but as long as I can still read my Bible and pray, that is all God requires of me.

I am not trying to depress you more or scare you. Just because I am going through such a rough time, doesnt mean that you have to. All I can tell you is as long as God is #1 you will figure out the rest of it. If you are in need of medication and that is what God wants you to do, then you will. If God chooses to heal you then he will. Either way it doesnt matter. Put God first, walk and talk with him, and he will tell you everything you need to know.

Debbie
 
G

greatkraw

Guest
#18
Debbie, can you choose to be lead by your (God given) reason, not by your emotions?
I have a friend with GAD. She gets negative feelings and lets her thinking be governed by these.
This is a case where she needs to 'resist the devil' (then maybe he will flee from her)

I guess I am fortunate in that I am not particularly emotional. Those who are(emtional) need even more to make sure they(the emotions) are not in charge.
 
S

sunshine_debbie

Guest
#19
Debbie, can you choose to be lead by your (God given) reason, not by your emotions?
I have a friend with GAD. She gets negative feelings and lets her thinking be governed by these.
This is a case where she needs to 'resist the devil' (then maybe he will flee from her)

I guess I am fortunate in that I am not particularly emotional. Those who are(emtional) need even more to make sure they(the emotions) are not in charge.
Are you asking me a question or did you mistype the order of can and you so that you are telling me something?

If you are asking me, then I dont know the answer to that.

I am an intellectual person for the most part. I was gifted by God with a fairly good brain and an int
elligence to match. I was raised by amazing intellectuals who are Mensa genius smart and encourged creative problem solving and intellectual thought above all but God.

I was also raised by a Child molestor minister for a father, a mother who was practically non-existent and hooked on prescription medications. I raised my four younger sisters practically by myself, and we all have the battle scars for the life that we led.

If this was about logic and reason, and sometimes during the day, I can self-talk myself into knowing that my fear is irrational, and my though process is dysfunctional. And sometimes I can not think how I am going to make it one more minute without my husband or my sister or someone there with me or I will, I dont know what, stop breathing? go crazy? die?

Do you see how silly that sounds when you type it out and read it. As silly probably as it sounds for me to type it and think it. However, I can tell you, as an intellectual of sorts, when you are in the middle of the depressive episode or the panic attack, you do not think very much at all.

So then you pray..... What I have to learn is how to pray when I am not in the middle of it. And until I do, I am afraid that God will never take this burden from me.

Debbie
 
May 21, 2009
3,955
25
0
#20
Hi Debbie, I'm sorry for what all you've gone thr. This struck me in your writing--I know that God might not heal me--
Please don't say that or think that anymore ever. It's very important. God wants you healed thats it. But you have to want it to with all your heart, soul(mind, will, emotion). As a child of God it is your right to be healed totally not just partly. The mind is very strong and if we don't control it it can control us. Start saying you aren't taking this nerve problem anymore ever. Mean it. Say satan no more. Get away in Jesus name. I had nerve problems so bad I was actually being paralyzed. I couldn't move my hands or arms at times. I wasn't insane or crazy the devil was attacking me. I didn't know anything about the devil could attack me. I had been belittled as a child made to feel worthless. The devil comes when people aren't feeling good about themselves and he starts trying to kill, steal and destroy them. The devil wants you and me dead point blank thats it. Don't let him win over you. I actually had to have someone come in and help me dress and take care of my kids. I could drive dwon a road and all the sudden have a nrve attack and my arms would start going limp and I couldn't drive. It was a nightmare. I tell you this so you can know if I could be set free so can you. And I didn't even know God at all when I was going thr all that. I was saved and he was helping me but I sure didn't know it. I really thought I was all alone. So you have it much better than me cause you do know about God. Let God fight for you. Say Lord I am weak. That brings power from God to fight for you. You don't have to be all strong. When we are weak he is strong. You will get thr this and say you will get thr this because God is with you. Know your rights given to you by the blood of Jesus. Pray the blood of Jesus from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet. Ask God to send his protecting angels to you to fight for you. Know that the devil has no rights to you. He has no right to be attacking you. Jesus paid his life for you. Forgive your dad. Just say the words and ask God to help you with it. Pray for your dad. Doesn't mean you forget the pain he caused you. But after time the pain won't hurt you anymore. God bless you, the nightmares we live can go away in Jesus name.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.