Susan Narjala
Keeping it Real
Do Not Be Anxious? But How??? (Free E-book)
This may be TMI, but recently I found that my hair was falling like crazy. You could literally trace my path through my house because I left a trail behind me like a dystopic Gretel (The one with the breadcrumb trail from the rather disturbing fairytale). My bathroom floor, pillows, the kitchen counter, and every conceivable surface bore embarrassing evidence of my presence.
I researched the problem online, swapped my shampoo for something fancy and French, and bought vitamin supplements, but I’m pretty sure that the reason for my hair fall was not physiological but psychological. It all came down to stress.
While there is nothing in my life that currently qualifies as an emergency, a bunch of little things added up to amp up my cortisol levels. With my Type A personality added to the mix, I ended up competing with my parents’ Labrador for who “shed” the most in one day. I then proceeded to get anxious about my hair loss, which for some reason didn’t seem to help with my tress troubles. I may or may not have also stress-eaten my way through several boxes of dark chocolate peanut butter cups. But we’ll save that story for later.
While I’m making jokes about this and may have just compared myself to a canine, stress is no laughing matter.
I absolutely love the fact that God doesn’t take our stress and anxiety lightly. He doesn’t just dismiss it with a sweep of His hand or simply tell us to deal with it. But He gently comes alongside us and invites us to cast our burdens on Him. The words, “Do not fear” and “Do not be anxious” are repeated in the Bible, some say, 365 times. I don’t know if the exact number matters, but the truth is, you matter to God and, therefore, your anxieties matter to Him, too.
If you are feeling pressed down by the weight of your problems, know that you’re not alone and you don’t have to fight this battle alone.
Friend, if your anxiety is crippling, if your fear feels insurmountable, I would urge you to speak to a friend and/or get professional counseling.
Let me say unequivocally that there is absolutely no shame in seeking help — you can love the Lord and have debilitating anxiety at the same time. That’s just the reality of our world. God knows that. And He loves you just the way you are. But He also wants you to live in freedom — and that includes freedom from anxiety. So, I’ll reiterate that He has put people in our path to help us. And one of the most courageous things you and I can do is ask for help.
If you are feeling pressed down by the weight of your problems, know that you’re not alone and you don’t have to fight this battle alone.
Meanwhile, I pray that this resource I’ve put together will help you Shut the Door on Anxiety
So, the million dollar question: Have I been able to halt my hair fall? The answer to that would be: “nope.” But, as I focus my thoughts on the Word and the character of God, I can say the weight on my shoulders is lighter. He is the God who reminds me that even the hairs of my head are numbered so I don’t need to be afraid (Luke 12:7).
If you would like a quick rundown on dealing with life’s “what if’s,” get your free e-book here
Click on the link and download it to your device so you can refer to it later too.
It won’t be the magic solution to your anxiety (or your hair fall). But it may provide just the perspective you need to lift your eyes off your problems and fix them on God.
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Comments
7 Comments
Marsha
Susan, thank you for this booklet! So scripturally based and laid out so clearly step by step.
We are at Twin Rocks (loving it, by the way) and meet many people here, including the long-term and short-term staff. One of the summer staff opened up to Mark recently about her struggles with anxiety. I printed off your booklet and we plan to give it to her at an appropriate time.
You will never know – this side of the Pearly Gates – how many people you have touched for the Lord. Thank you for your faithful service to Him!
~Marsha
Susan Narjala
Hi Marsha, So excited that you guys are settling into your new roles and new environment. I’m sure it’s beautiful there. If you have a moment, I would love to see pics, so do email me when you can. Thank you for printing out the e-booklet. I’m so blessed by your encouragement and I hope and pray that the lady receiving it will be encouraged too! Love, Susan
Sara
Hi Susan,
Thank you so much for your encouraging post and emphasizing the presence of our amazing God. I’m going through severe anxiety right now, and God is my anchor who gives me peace. He is so kind. I’m starting to learn what it means that His “love is better than life” (Ps. 63:3). I thank you again!
Concerning hair loss, I had the worst hair loss of my life after catching covid, and it continued for months. My body was pretty traumatized by the situation (covid on top of Lyme disease, mold allergy, and MCAS), but there was one supplement that helped and that was NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine). I’m not a doctor, I’m not recommending it to anyone, but it did lessen my hair loss significantly. Some dosages recommend taking three a day, I was only taking one.
About the 365 verses of do not fear, if I remember correctly from The Voice of the Martyr’s books, that originated with Richard Wurmbrand, who I presume was studying his Bible in his native tongue, Romanian, and counted 366 instances of the command “do not fear.” This struck him as significant because God had accounted even for Leap Day. A little while later, after standing up for Christ in front of communists, Richard was actually arrested on Leap Day, 1948. He was frightened, but he remembered God has said it 366 times and was comforted.
(As far as English versions, the number of times it reads “do not fear” or an equivalent varies per translation.)
Thank you again! I love you, my sister in Christ!
Susan Narjala
Hi Sara. Thank you so much for sharing. His love is better than life! What a true word that is. Appreciate your tips about the hair loss. Will have to check with a doc if it’s available here in India. About the 365 verses about not being anxious or worrying, what an interesting piece of information. I had never heard it before. So, thank you for sharing that as well. With the way you just communicated, I think you should write your own blog, if you don’t have one already! 🙂 Love in Christ, Susan
Sara
Thanks! That is very sweet of you to say, especially considering how much I love your blog and the way you communicate! 🙂
I do have a blog, though I am not a consistent blogger. If you want to see it, it’s https://thebelovedsjoy.wordpress.com/
Thank you again! Love you lots in Christ! God bless!
Laura
Oh Susan, this hits home for me! Add in the heat wave here and it’s hard to know exactly where the lack of strength and motivation is coming from, but I know that anxiety is a component. With the world economy in such a mess, this is a reality for many of us. You are right, there is no shame in admitting it, and asking for help doesn’t make you less of a faithful disciple. Thank you for your vulnerability here. I will be praying that the hair fall and the anxiety abate soon!
Susan Narjala
Thank you for your kind words and prayers, friend. It’s so freeing that we don’t have to wear a badge of invincibility because we know the Lord but can be real with Him because He already knows us. Praying for you right now… for strength and motivation in the midst of the hard. Take care, Laura. – Susan