Get Help Building a Life Raft When Chronic Pain Leads to Anxiety

Hebrews 6:19 – We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.

I’ve been doing well for some time now when dealing with anxiety, but lately, pain plagues me around every corner and out pops the anxiety.
                                           
Anxiety and chronic pain create a repeating cycle:
 

• Your pain level increases and you become anxious trying to figure out what you did to end up in a pain flare-up.
• Your pain level increases again and anxiety increases as you wonder how to get out of it.
• Then your increased anxiety in turn creates more pain.
• You begin to withdraw. It takes too much emotional energy to be around other people.
• You become more anxious because you don’t want to let other people down.
• Your pain level increases again and you wonder what other people truly think of you.

 
It’s not that you want to pretend to be something you’re not, but that you want to look like you’re doing better for the sake of those who care about you. So, you become anxious about this, too.
 
But hang in there. There’s hope. Not everyone can handle what you’re going through, but there are those who can.
 
Build yourself a life raft by placing a few individuals around you who can help encourage you to be who you are. Even if that means you’re in an anxiety free fall down the rapids, your friends will help you. These people will pick up your life raft’s oars and help direct you towards a peaceful inlet.
 
So how can your friends help you move towards peace of mind when you’re in pain? Awaremeditationapp.com lists specific ways they can help in their article, “How Your Friends Add to Your Peace in Life.” First, friends can make your immune system stronger. But this isn’t talking about your social media circle, but people who you can spend time with in person. Also, friends can help reduce stress, help with depression, and prevent anxiety. They help ease feelings of loneliness which is among the biggest causes of disconnection and anxiety.
 
Now that you have friends who are helping you build your life raft and directing you towards a peaceful inlet, it’s time to have an anchor ready.
 
That anchor is our faith and hope in God. Knowing, really knowing, he will keep you from drifting further downstream can begin to finalize breaking free from the cycle of chronic pain and anxiety.

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