Faith-Based Tools for Anxiety: How Healthy Thinking and Spiritual Reflection Build Inner Peace

People who have lived healthy and productive lives can sometimes find themselves suddenly gripped by fear, even to the point of being unable to leave their homes. Unfortunately, the common medical response is to rely heavily on medication, which often does little more than suppress symptoms without addressing their root causes. While there are certainly cases where medication is necessary, it is just as certain that we are witnessing excessive prescription and over-reliance on pharmaceuticals as a way to “quiet” individuals struggling emotionally.

In my view, there is little doubt that in a hundred years, modern researchers will look back at today’s psychiatric and even psychological practices with amazement, and not in a good way. While most fields of science have made remarkable progress, the understanding of the human soul remains surprisingly shallow. Of course, there are extreme situations that require medication, but for simpler cases, I always begin with one core question: Do you believe in G-d?

This question isn't rhetorical. Deep belief in a Creator can build an inner structure of calming, positive thought and a mindset that supports emotional healing and stability. Following is a healthy and empowering way to think about reality, in three steps:

1. There is a Creator.

2. This Creator loves me. We’re not left to guess about this; it's written in the Torah: “You are children of the Lord your G-d.” In Kabbalah, we learn that the purpose of creation is to bring goodness to His creations. Even when we experience suffering, it’s compared to a loving father bringing his child to surgery- painful, but for the child's ultimate good. “Whom G-d loves, He reproves.”

3. Nothing can harm me unless G-d wills it, and if He does, then it’s ultimately for my benefit.

Internalizing this mindset takes time and effort, but it brings with it immense emotional strength and resilience. I've received deeply moving responses from individuals who adopted this approach, describing personal transformations and healing.

Another valuable practice is to take the individual suffering from anxiety or emotional distress into nature for long walks and deep conversations. The overly technical and metallic modern world leaves us disconnected from ourselves. Technology has many benefits, but it often drains us emotionally and spiritually. It’s no wonder that during times of crisis, many people collapse, lacking the inner resources to cope. Time in nature, especially with someone who understands the human soul, can be so therapeutic.

It is important to point out the silent damage caused by exposure to stressful and emotionally manipulative films. These overstimulate the emotional system unnecessarily so that when real-life challenges arise, the overstretched emotional system breaks down. The human psyche has a limit. Stretching it needlessly weakens its ability to withstand real difficulties.

Though much of what I’ve said relates to people struggling with anxiety, this perspective is relevant to everyone. Any challenge we face becomes easier the moment we truly believe it's for our good. When the Sages taught: “Everything that the Merciful One does is for the good,” they weren’t telling us to lie to ourselves. They were describing absolute reality. If G-d is all-powerful, and He still allows something we didn’t want to happen, we must trust that He knows better than we do what’s good for us.

Our wisdom, no matter how great, is microscopic compared to divine wisdom. Recognizing that is not a weakness, but a spiritual maturity. Many people today ask deep questions, even about mysteries of creation and metaphysics, but not everyone is ready for the answers. The Rambam explains that even foolish people are curious about these matters- they demand answers but won’t understand them. Worse, they assume that if they aren’t given answers, it's because there are none. However, true wisdom is knowing when a matter is beyond one’s grasp.

In time, with proper preparation, through learning, humility, and spiritual development, even the deeper mysteries of creation can become accessible. Meanwhile, living with the truth that “G-d loves me, He is all-powerful, and He wants what’s best for me” should provide a person with deep inner peace.

A child who cries when sent to school may feel unloved, but when he matures, he thanks his parents for insisting he go. The same is true for us: what seems painful today may be a future source of deep gratitude. A person who trains themselves to see the good in everything becomes a truly joyful person. Outwardly they may appear to suffer like anyone else, but inwardly they live with calm, strength, and a good heart.