I am not immune from stress and anxiety. Many years ago, I was overwhelmed with stress and anxiety as I was involved in a Christian faith ministry counseling individuals, couples and families. I began to see a family therapist who helped me work through the underlying causes of excessive stress. One of the sources of my stress was from financial difficulties I had, thinking there was no way out of my financial situation.

When I faced a problem that I could not solve I became depressed because I held onto the false belief that no one, including God, would help me. Even though I had been spending time praying and reading the Bible, I projected onto God what I experienced as a child from my dad who was unavailable to help me with problems. A child’s relationship with his or her father affects his or her view of God.

The family therapist helped me understand that, unlike my earthly father, God promised to help me. He says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

When I had difficulty finding employment I remember crying out to God for help because I was afraid of not being able to pay the rent for my apartment. A friend who was a licensed therapist shared about an opening at a psychiatric clinic to teach symptom management classes. I asked her, “Do you really think I could work with psychiatric patients?” She replied, “Yes, you can.” I was hired for the job and was surprised that I enjoyed working with these patients. I saw God provide for my financial needs and give me a new opportunity to help clients that I had not worked with before.

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