Anxiety in Ministry: Finding Peace, Support, and Strength in Christ

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-ajnd2-1b8dce9

Hey Friend,

We are so glad you are here!

Anxiety can affect anyone, including women who love Jesus and faithfully serve in ministry. The pressure to meet expectations, care for others, and always be available can leave ministry leaders feeling overwhelmed, isolated, and afraid to admit they are struggling.

In this episode of Priority Podcast, host Carmen Halsey-Menghini joins Amy Donathan, Carla Powderly, and Leslie Davis for an honest conversation about anxiety in ministry. Together, they explore the difference between normal anxiety and anxiety that interferes with daily life, how anxiety affects us, and practical ways to respond with biblical truth and healthy habits.

Through Scripture, personal experiences, and practical tools, the conversation reminds us that experiencing anxiety does not mean we have failed God. He understands our humanity, meets us in our struggles, and provides help through His Word, His Spirit, and the people He places in our lives.

Key Takeaways

• Anxiety is a natural response. Anxiety can alert us to stress or uncertainty. When it begins to interfere with daily responsibilities, you may need additional support.
• Anxiety is not your identity. Experiencing anxiety does not define who you are or determine your future.
• Ministry leaders face unique pressures. Isolation, perfectionism, all-or-nothing thinking, and the belief that we must always be available can increase anxiety.
• God meets us in our humanity. Elijah experienced fear and exhaustion after a significant ministry victory. God responded with rest, food, and care—not condemnation.
• Boundaries are healthy. Setting expectations, delegating responsibilities, and recognizing what only you can do can reduce unnecessary pressure.

Scriptures Mentioned

• Matthew 26:38  Jesus expresses deep sorrow and distress.
• Matthew 11:28–30  Jesus invites the weary to come to Him for rest.
• Exodus 18  Moses learns the importance of sharing responsibility.
• Romans 12:2  Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
• Philippians 2:13  God works in us to fulfill His good purposes.
• Psalm 23  Find comfort in the Lord’s guidance and care.
• Hebrews 4:15–16  Jesus understands our weaknesses, and we can approach Him for help.
• 2 Corinthians 10:5  Take thoughts captive and bring them into obedience to Christ.

Resources Mentioned

Amy offers a three-session coaching package to help people identify anxiety triggers and develop a plan, along with coaching cohorts and educational sessions tailored for ministry leaders and groups. Amy Donathan, Hope and Healing Life Coaching

To connect with Amy, check out her website: Christian Life Coaching | Hope and Healing Christian Life Coaching

To connect with Carla, check out her website: Therapy for Individuals, Couples, & Families | St Charles, MO

To connect with Leslie, check out her website: The Vision-Driven Marriage

A Tool for the Hard Days

When anxiety begins to rise, try these practical steps:

Tool 1:  Cognitive Restructuring + Romans 12:2

Write down the anxious thought, identify the distortion (catastrophizing, mind-reading, overgeneralizing), then write a Scripture-grounded, truer replacement.

· Anchor verse: Romans 12:2 — “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This is the biblical basis for CBT’s core mechanism: replacing distorted thinking with truth.

Tool 2: Breath Prayer with Philippians 4:6-7

Inhale while praying “Your peace, O Lord,” exhale while praying “guards my heart and mind.” Combines physiological calming (slow breathing) with Scripture meditation.

Tool 3: The “Casting” Practice with 1 Peter 5:7

Physically write the anxious thought on paper. Set it down or place a hand over it while praying, “I cast this anxiety on You because You care for me.” The physical act reinforces the release.

Tool 4: Scripture-Paired Grounding (5-4-3-2-1) with Psalm 46:10

Name 5 things you see, 4 you can touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste — pairing each round with the phrase “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

Tool 5: Scripture Memory Walk with Psalm 23

Walk slowly while reciting Psalm 23 phrase by phrase, matching each line to a step. Combines movement, grounding, and Scripture meditation — useful for the “walking with a friend” habit already in your routine.

Tool 6: Worry Time, Bounded by Prayer

Schedule 10-15 minutes a day as designated “worry time,” opening and closing it in prayer, rather than letting anxious thoughts intrude all day. It contains worry within a boundary instead of suppressing it.

Tool 7: Seek Support (biblical, not just clinical)

· Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 — “Two are better than one… if either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” A direct biblical case for not carrying anxiety alone.

· Practical application: talk to a trusted friend, pastor, or small group — and when anxiety is persistent or severe, Christian counseling that integrates biblical truth with evidence-based therapy is both wise and faithful, not a failure of faith.

If you experience new or concerning physical symptoms, such as chest pain, seek appropriate medical evaluation rather than assuming anxiety is the cause.

Reflection

Where are you carrying pressure to do everything, be everything, or always be available?

Remember: You are not a disappointment to God when you struggle. You are human, you are seen, and you do not have to walk through anxiety alone.