Calvary Alive, June 2018 2018 June | Page 8

Why am I so Anxious? by Judy Shephard Every person feels anxiety on occasion; it is a part of life. All of us know what it is like to feel worry, nervousness, fear, and concern. We feel nervous when we have to give a talk, go for a job interview, or walk into a new situation. We know it’s normal to feel that surge of fear when we unexpectedly see a snake (or even a picture of one) or look down from the top of a tall building. Most of us manage these kinds of anxious feelings fairly well and are able to carry on with our lives without much difficulty. These feelings won’t disrupt our lives. But millions of people suffer from constant anxiety that affects their lives, sometimes resulting in living in highly restricted ways. These people experience panic attacks, phobia, extreme shyness, obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. The