I write about this topic as an investigation of how to truly master it. As I’ve heard numerous times, we teach what we know. How does waiting on something make you feel? I know for me that waiting makes my stomach become in knots, it makes my shoulders heavy. Waiting is literally the epidemy of stress for me. We all have our triggers for stress and anxiety, and God and my family and friends know that me having to wait on something of importance to me can overwhelm me. 

Through my work in social work, I’ve heard countless stories of pain and triumph, and I want to understand what helps some people overcome their obstacles. In the tough times, when the mountain feels too big to climb, I hope to inspire you—and myself—to find the strength to push through. The mountains we face—whether struggles at work, in our relationships, or personal addictions—can seem insurmountable.

Growing up in the church, I remember feeling a deep sense of comfort whenever the pastor would say, “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). After experiencing that comfort, I’d often feel a sense of shame because I had no idea how to “pray away” my anxiety and stress.