Has anxiety been getting the best of you lately-or maybe for quite a while now? A new Learning Path called Journey Through Anxiety, composed of two parts from LHM Learn, is now available. Based on the Project Connect booklet of the same title by AmyRuth Bartlett, these courses offer insights in defining anxiety and help in moving through it. In Part 1, "The Landscape of Fear," users chart a pathway toward understanding anxiety. In Part 2, "Freedom to Flourish," users apply strategies to getting unstuck in anxiety in the move to a confident and flourishing life.
Anxiety is a real problem in the world today. Created in God's image, we are made to relate and create, to be in intimate relationship with God and each other. But anxiety (relentless worries, perceived threats, panic attacks, irrational fears) disrupts this harmony, replacing it instead with shame, self-doubt, and avoidance. It's a vicious cycle that can continue as long as we allow it to, but we don't have to allow it to.
This is where Journey Through Anxiety can help. "These courses are designed with rigorous, scientific foundations, but presented in a way that is completely understandable, and even with a bit of fun," says Chris Macky, LHM's content development manager. "The game board illustration with signposts along the way lets users know how they're progressing through anxiety-based obstacles and barriers in their journey toward their ultimate objective: freedom to flourish," he adds.
Naturally, we want to move past our anxieties and leave them in the rearview mirror. To do that requires an honest, no-nonsense self- appraisal and then resisting the urge to quick fix our way out of discomfort. Course exercises prompt users to explore their anxieties and to consider creative approaches for navigating through them. "By doing this the user is escorted through each barrier via very practical activities they can do right now," Macky says.
In whatever level of anxiety we live in, Christ is there with us. As the author of Hebrews says, "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
You can find more about LHM Learn's course offerings by going to lhm.org/learn. There you will see these courses plus several others. Theyare categorized under the headings of Christian Foundations, Cultural Concepts, Everyday Insights, Outreach Essentials, and Spiritual Reflections.