Remaining Receptive When You’re Feeling Anxious
“Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, all things are passing away; God never changes. Patience obtains all things, whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices” (St. Teresa of Ávila).
Editor’s note: This article is part of our Advent 2024 series, “Waiting for Christ With a Receptive Heart.” Read more here.
Advent is my favorite time of year, for so many reasons. The weather gets cooler, products everywhere are sold in my favorite flavor (chocolate peppermint), and glittery decorations pop up on every corner. I also love the anticipation of the season—lighting one Advent candle a week, planning parties and gatherings, hearing the hopeful readings at Mass … all leading to a meaningful, joyful celebration.
But with that anticipation always comes anxiety. Will family gatherings be stressful? Will purchasing Christmas gifts strain the budget? Will we manage to accomplish all the baking, decorating, and shopping we plan to do?
When I start spinning over my to-do list rather than enjoying and appreciating the very reason we’re celebrating, I try to pause—and the same is true throughout the year. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hustle of work, school, shopping, cooking, cleaning, activities and focus on the anxiety of completing the next task, making the next choice, and worrying about why and how our baseboards got so filthy.
Pause
Before we can be open and receptive to God’s voice and plan in our life, it’s important to pause and reflect. Halting the neverending stream of worry and tasks (even briefly) is key to finding the stillness and peace needed to center ourselves in prayer and hear God’s voice and direction.
I do my best to start my day with a non-secular reading and avoid my phone or the news at all costs. Even 10 minutes of peace before beginning my daily tasks and reading outside news can help set the tone for the day. For the past few months, I’ve been reading The 35 Doctors of the Church, Revised Edition by Christopher Rengers and Dr. Matthew E. Bunson. It’s a reminder to start the day centered on what’s important, and every time I pass by the book on my coffee table (which is often, as I work from home), it’s a little reminder to stop, take a deep breath, and say a quick prayer.
Let Go of What’s Not in Your Control
I often see this advice from various sources, but it bears repeating: Many things are out of our control, and worrying about them is not helpful or productive. There are always so many things happening in the world, in our home, and in our life that remain impossible to control, from wars to weather events and illnesses.
As hard as it sometimes seems to believe (especially given the 24-hour news cycle), God remains in control. Admitting that we have to cede control can be hard (so hard), but it’s an important step in setting aside a never-ending stream of anxiety-inducing events and being receptive to God’s plan for our individual life. This way, we can maintain a longer-term vision, oriented toward the eternal.
Even as I was thinking through this article, my family was struggling with multiple big decisions—and it was a strong reminder to pause and focus on praying for God to make the right decision clear to us. Often, I even pray for God to close doors to help me know what paths not to take—a prayer that’s offered some incredible and immediate clarity.
Listen
Finally, it’s important to be receptive to God’s voice and presence in our lives. As time- and earth-bound as we are, it’s impossible to see the full picture of our life and God’s intentions for us. Being receptive and open to the unexpected paths, solutions, and people (including saints!) God puts in our life can result in more fulfillment than we ever expected. In this season of Advent, we can take inspiration from Mary, whose receptivity changed the world.
If you’re struggling with being receptive (maybe it’s one of the things making you anxious!), you are not alone. Even the saints struggled with setting aside anxiety during prayer and daily life. Use this season of Advent to find even small ways to move past your anxiety for a moment. Take a pause, trust in God’s love for you, and be receptive to Him.
Wishing you a joyful Advent and Christmas season and a wonderful year to come!
Sarah Battersby has a Bachelor's in English and a Master's in Social Work and has spent most of her career working with students and student-serving organizations. She is the co-founder of a consulting firm that serves donors and philanthropic organizations seeking to create and manage impactful scholarship programs. She loves reading, baking, being a mentor, and discovering new things with her daughter. She lives in North Carolina with her family.