#161: Christian Counselors Chat about Anxiety with Holley Gerth - a podcast by Rachael Gilbert

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm chatting once again with my friend, Holley Gerth. Holley is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author of several books, including The Powerful Purpose of Introverts and What your Mind Needs for Anxious Moments. She's also the cohost of the More than Small Talk podcast, which recently passed one million downloads. Holley is married to Mark, a Mama to Lovelle, and Nana to Eula and Clem.

Key Points from Our Conversation:

• It is not a sin to experience anxiety whether it's biological or Biblical. Philippians 4:6 which instructs us to "be anxious for nothing" is meant as a reassurance, not a judgment. God is our ally in helping us understand the root cause of our anxieties.  
• When experiencing anxiety, start by doing something physical to regulate your brain. Then instead of asking, "What's wrong with me?" reframe and consider what you can do now, at the moment like take deep breaths, get a drink, or walk away. 
• If you struggle with an inner critic, it's important to be gentle with yourself. Pause and listen to what your body is trying to tell you. If you find yourself going back to the critic, try talking to yourself like someone you love. "We don't talk that way to people. Apologize and try again."
• Music can be very beneficial to aid with anxiety. We can use it to feel more joyful or to calm us down and help us shift to a different space.
• “What we mentally rehearse matters.” Instead of thinking about what happens if things go wrong, imagine what would happen if they go right. We can mentally practice what we want to become real. It feels silly, but it’s the same thing as worry. 
• If you struggle to stay still, practice moving meditation. You don't have to sit still and silently to connect with God. Movement is bilateral stimulation which is beneficial in creating new thought patterns.
• Anxiety is generally caused by fear. But through Christ, we don't have to fear - we are loved. Ask what is the lie, what is the truth, and what do I want to change. 

Resources:

Envision app

Let’s Get Real Practical:

Make coloring while listening to music a regular part of your routine. You can access coloring pages for my book Image Restored when you preorder and visit ImageRestoredBook.com.

Connect with Holley: website | Instagram | Facebook
Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

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