The Prescription

Happy Sabbath friends! If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety or depression, this message is for you. Anxiety is something I’ve battled personally. I’m a huge advocate for mental health awareness – therapy, exercise, and anything that promotes emotional well-being.

But the main thing that has truly worked for me and brought me peace amidst the chaos in my mind is this: fully surrendering my anxiety to the Lord. When I lay my worries, fears, and uncertainties at His feet, that’s when I can finally take a full, deep breath.

Anxiety often feels like your lungs can’t expand, like they’re compressed by the weight of your thoughts. When you give those worries to God, that weight is lifted, and suddenly, you can breathe again.

“Shortness of breath is a common symptom of anxiety. You may feel like you can’t catch your breath, tightness in your chest, or like you’re suffocating or hungry for air” (Elmer, 2025).

But when the weight is gone, your breath comes easier. That’s what surrender does – it frees you.

God’s Promise of Freedom

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 34:4 (NIV)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

If you’ve ever dealt with anxiety or depression, you’ve probably searched for a cure – a solution to make it all go away. Some turn to substances to numb the pain. Others rely on medication. But I’m here to tell you: the best prescription is the one from our Heavenly Father.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Psalm 147:3 (NIV)

“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 30:17 (NIV)

Understanding Anxiety

When we’re anxious, our minds go into fight-or-flight mode – a survival response designed to protect us from danger, real or imagined.

“This combination of reactions to stress is also known as the ‘fight-or-flight’ response because it evolved as a survival mechanism…Unfortunately, the body can also overreact to stressors that are not life-threatening, such as traffic jams, work pressure, and family difficulties” (LeWine, 2024).

As believers, we need to be careful not to let anxiety dictate our decisions. Anxiety stems from fear, control, and worry – all things that don’t honor God. When we surrender them to Him, we allow His purpose to take over.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

The Real Prescription

Maybe you’re reading this thinking, “Yes, I suffer from anxiety or depression…but how do I make it stop? How can I be free from this weight that crushes me mentally, emotionally, and spiritually?”

Here’s the truth: the prescription to our anxiety and depression is found in our Heavenly Father. Each day, choose to surrender everything to Him, and that’s where true freedom begins. Anxiety and depression can become a prison for your heart and mind, but God came to set you free.

I pray that the God of peace fills you today and lifts every burden. I pray that if your mind feels like a battlefield, the Holy Spirit covers you with His perfect love. Satan wants to keep us in chains through fear and anxiety – but the Lord wants us free.

Do you want healing? God is the answer.
Do you want freedom? God is the answer.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:17-18 (NIV)

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)

Amen.

***

Elmer, J. (2025, June 30). Is my shortness of breath from anxiety?. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/shortness-of-breath-anxiety

LeWine, H. E. (2024, April 3). Understanding the stress response. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response