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Practical Action Steps For Helping Someone With Their Anxiety

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blogpost titled Practical Action Steps For Helping Someone With Their Anxiety, from the podcast Counseling Tips For Pastors and Ministry Leaders

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2, NIV)

It is not of question of IF your ministry will touch someone who is struggling with anxiety. It’s a question of when, how often, and what will you do to help.

Anxiety is a huge problem in our culture today. And when you are concerned that someone may be struggling with anxiety, you don’t need to wait for a diagnosis or shuffle them off to a professional.

As a pastor or other ministry leader, you can help. You are called to help! 

Today, we’ll help you identify some practical things you can do that will help.

DOWNLOAD A FREE PDF WITH TIPS FOR ANXIETY

Does someone have anxiety?

People might tell you that they are struggling with anxiety… but sometimes, they might not even know! We often think our struggles are normal and don’t realize that help is available.

You may notice that someone is showing signs of anxiety in your conversations with them, from observing their behavior and actions, or from information other people share.

But you don’t need to wait until there is an official diagnosis or the person tells you that they are struggling. If you are concerned that someone may need help with anxiety issues, offer help and care that meets them where they are at.

READ NEXT: Common Symptoms Of Anxiety

READ NEXT: Recognizing Important Warning Signs: Is Someone Depressed Or Suicidal?

6 Ways To Help Someone Who Struggles With Anxiety

Sometimes, people with anxiety will benefit from professional counseling or medication. These can be very helpful to someone who is struggling.

But even if you refer someone for professional help, as a Christian leader in their life, you have a duty to offer the care and support Jesus alone can give.

Your role in their life is very important! Here are 6 ways that you can help someone struggling with anxiety, whether or not they are getting medical or professional help at the same time.

1 – Ask about their spiritual life.

People need their pastor to ask them questions about their faith, their temptations, their sins, their struggles. And this is definitely the case when anxiety is a struggle. Anxiety can be influenced by many things, and it impacts every area of life: relationships, decisions, behaviors, sleeping patterns, and so much more.

These are all parts of life that a Christian leader can speak into and help with.

One of the biggest things to talk about here is the topic of confession. Sometimes, people are struggling with anxiety because the Holy Spirit is convicting them of a sin, and they feel guilty. They might be struggling with forgiveness, bitterness, or changing a pattern of sin in their life.

Scripture says again and again that we do not need to worry or be anxious. We can trust God, even in hard times, and give our anxieties to him. If someone is struggling with this, don’t ignore the spiritual elements of what is happening.

2 – Challenge negative thoughts or assumptions that you hear from them.

It is never easy to challenge or confront someone. But sometimes, it is the most loving thing that we can do.

Typically, when people are struggling with anxiety, they are dealing with patterns of negative, unhelpful thinking. They may not even realize this is happening. But if you start to hear these negative thoughts in your conversations, you can be confident it is happening much more often inside their own head.

And you can love them well by asking questions that challenge those thoughts.

Some possible questions you could use might be:

3 – Invite them into activities that reduce stress.

Everyone benefits from healthy coping skills, but not everyone has them yet. A great way that you can help someone struggling with anxiety is to invite them or encourage them to start doing activities that will reduce anxiety.

Here are a few ideas for how to help them get involved with positive activities:

You don’t have to be the only person helping them! Connecting them with more people, activities, and opportunities will be meaningful.

READ NEXT: 10 Coping Skills Every Pastor & Ministry Leader Needs

4 – Offer practical, logistical support.

We live in a busy, hectic, stress-filled world. As you might imagine, this definitely impacts anxiety issues for many people.

It is helpful to encourage people to do more coping skills and have positive social interactions. But practical support can also go a long way. Could you offer or connect them with someone who can help with things like childcare, financial support, mowing their lawn, or bringing a meal? Perhaps you need to suggest they step back from a commitment that is filling their schedule, or suggest that they reconsider the things they are prioritizing.

Many pastors avoid this type of support because we don’t want to over-extend ourselves (which is wise!) and because we don’t want people to think we are telling them what to do. But part of a leader’s role is to offer supportive ideas and perspective. Usually, this comes down to how to initiate the conversations, to ensure you are still gentle, humble, and nonjudgmental.

5 – Label their anxiety and express concern.

Many people who struggle with anxiety don’t realize they are struggling. These issues are so common that people may think they are normal and there is no other way to live.

Of course, the Bible says otherwise! Jesus offers abundant life. He offers peace to guard our hearts and minds. God tells us to give him our anxieties. Jesus offers rest when we are weary and burdened.

So when you are concerned about someone, don’t shy away from using real words. You don’t need to try to give a diagnosis or convince them of anything. But it can go a long way to hear someone say “I’m worried about you” or “It seems like you might be struggling with some anxiety.”

And then, to offer the hope that only Jesus can offer.

READ NEXT: 8 Unique Ways Only A Spiritual Leader Can Help Someone Fight An Addiction

6 – Remind them of biblical truth.

Anxiety has a big impact on how someone thinks, what they believe, and the decisions they make. So you may find that they struggle to trust God, understand the Bible, or live in the truth of the gospel.

And you can help!

Remind them of the gospel. Sin is real, but so is the Lord’s forgiveness. Healing and change is not only possible but it is the expected path of those who love Jesus.

Some great Scripture passages to turn to with them include:

DOWNLOAD A FREE PDF WITH THESE ANXIETY TIPS

What’s next for anxiety issues?

Yes, mental health professionals and medical professionals have some helpful options for anxiety. But spiritual care is a central part of every healing journey.

If you are in South Carolina and need help with these issues, we have counselors and life coaches available at The iHope Center. Reach out to us at The iHope Center if you would like some support with dealing with these related struggles. Our services are 50% below the local average cost of counseling and we do offer some virtual appointments if needed. Call (843) 702-0323 to get started.

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REFERRALS AND DONATIONS

Our counselors are licensed in the state of South Carolina. If you are local to our state, we hope you will consider The iHope Center as a referral source for professional counseling or life coaching. We offer a 10% discount on services to full-time pastors. 

The iHope Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and we are registered in the state of South Carolina as a charitable organization. If you are local to our state, we welcome your donations and gifts to support our counseling ministry. Donations are used to help us keep clients’ fees at 50% below the local average cost for services. 

DISCLAIMERS

The blog, podcast, and other resources offered by The iHope Center should be taken as informational and educational content only. Utilizing our resources does not create a professional relationship. This podcast is not therapy. Always use your own judgment in making decisions and in making recommendations for others. 

In the case of a medical or mental health emergency for yourself or someone else, please contact your local emergency department. In the USA, you can call “988” which is the three-digit, nationwide phone number to connect directly to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

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