Humans share with other animals a set of instant responses which protect us from threats. Our brains trigger our bodies to flight, fight or freeze before we have time to think. But when we get stuck in stressful situations these reactions can get unpleasant and unhelpful. In this blog, Silvia Purdie maps out the stress response system, and asks ‘What is anxiety?’
Anxiety feels dreadful, and it can make us less intelligent and capable of solving problems. There’s plenty to be stressed about in 2022, but what is the alternative to chronic anxiety? Minister and counsellor Silvia Purdie identifies five strategies from the Christian faith tradition which are ‘tried and true’ – effective ways to reduce anxiety.
To me, faith, as Hebrews states (11:1), is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Faith looks forward - so should rightly counter anxiety – but it is not as simple as that - our faith must grow to match our experience.
Leadership and Faith in Anxious Times: Chris Clarke
Auckland went back into lockdown on August 13th as we were about to start the August Winter Lecture Series, which we at first named ‘Finding Meaning post Pandemic’
