Anxiety was not in short supply last year. And while we don’t need to rehash the numerous reasons why, it is likely many of us are approaching this year with still a fair amount of fear and anxiety—and understandably so. Uncertainty still lies before us (though, there is always a lot of uncertainty when it comes to the future).

But what if the year doesn’t have to hold anxiety?

And not because of news about an effective vaccine or some other encouraging headline (all good things, of course). But because we have been called in Christ to live with joy, peace, and hope—no matter what. Because Christ, through His death on the cross, has truly set us free from the type of anxiety with the power to steal our lasting hope. 

This doesn’t mean we won’t struggle or feel anxious at times this year. I know I will. It’s normal and natural, as human beings, to worry about the future. But giving ourselves over to anxiety limits our trust in God. It shrinks our worldview, keeps us steeped in doubt and fear, and, ultimately, limits God’s ability to work in our lives and the lives of others. 

But the good news is that Christ offers us something better. A profound sense of hope and joy—not blind and detached optimism. This comes with knowing that He is present in our lives and the world. The knowledge that despite what may or may not befall us—even if painful, heartbreaking, and tragic—Christ loves us and will never leave us. 

This does not mean we still won’t struggle with feelings of anxiety and worry—again, that is natural—but Christ gives us tools to turn our eyes and heart to the Lord. Here we can find a deeper, more interior sense of joy and peace.  

Yet, in order to receive this type of joy and peace, we have to make a habit of dwelling with Him. It is by dwelling with Him that His peace and joy can “rub off” on us.

So, here are a few ways we can dwell with Christ so that this year doesn’t hold anxiety for us.

We can frequent the sacraments if we’re able to. Perhaps we could schedule an appointment to receive the Eucharist if your parish is offering this (some parishes offer drive-by communion). Or we can schedule an appointment to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (again, if your parish offers a safe way of doing so). 

In the sacraments, we come to know God made flesh. God respects our created, material natures by giving us concrete manifestations of His divine love for us. 

We are able to hear, with our own ears, the priest offering us Christ’s forgiveness for our sins in the Sacrament of Confession.

We are able to “taste” the goodness of the Lord by receiving the Eucharist. So, if we can do so safely and responsibly, the sacraments are an invaluable gift to combat anxiety. 

Perhaps this year we can also make an effort to read a few minutes of Scripture every morning (or a few times a week). We can read the daily Mass readings, which are wonderful ways to encounter Christ through Scripture. 

We can also read Scripture intentionally looking to see how God responds to those struggling with anxiety.

We can consider and meditate on Christ’s response to Peter when he walked on water but started to doubt and feel anxious: “Why did you doubt?” We can see read over and over again that God wants us to “Be not afraid!” And we can recall—as we need to be during these tough times—that after the darkness of the crucifixion there is always the Resurrection.

As we approach Scripture this way on a consistent basis—intentionally looking for God’s response to human anxiety and meditating on the truth of God’s saving love—the more naturally we can call to mind God’s loving words of comfort. The more we condition our brains to consider Christ’s peace as opposed to spiralling down the rabbit hole of endless worry. 

Our minds are both the battlefield and our weapon. We are given the means to combat anxiety with the truth.

And when we do, the more the comfort of God will soak into our hearts and minds, leaving less and less room for anxiety to take hold.

Finally, perhaps this year we can look to the saints for encouragement: those great and heroic models of how to maintain joy and peace during times of anxiety and fear. 

St. Maximilian Kolbe lived in a concentration camp, eventually offering his life to save another prisoner.

 St. Charles Borromeo lived through the Black Plague in Milan (a shockingly terrible pandemic that claimed the lives of a third of those living on the continent!). 

Yet, they both remained intimately tethered to Christ and, as a result, maintained faith, hope, and love as opposed to fear, doubt, and anxiety.

If we can spend some time this year with the saints, we can be reminded that, just like them, we too are called to know Christ’s way of peace and hope in the midst of uncertainty. By doing so, we too can find inspiration for our own times of difficulty and anxiety. 

By turning more readily to the sacraments, Scripture, and the Saints this year—all beautiful instances of God’s merciful grace—we can help make sure the year doesn’t hold anxiety for us. Rather, we can help ensure the year holds the peace, joy, and hope that comes only with knowing Jesus Christ.

This article is written as a personal reflection and not a professional or medical recommendation.