Editor’s Observe: Our September 2025 mini-series on the BCC Grace and Reality weblog addresses the subject of escapism. On this closing article, Lucy Ann Moll shares a case research and scriptural recommendation for combating well being anxiousness and avoidance. In different contributions to the collection, Robert Cale gives biblical knowledge for transfer from numbing distractions to Spirit-filled engagement with God, and Kyle Johnston explores the intersection of escapism and dependancy, drawing insights from the e book of Proverbs.
Avoidance feels protected. When one thing makes us anxious, the best resolution appears to be: keep away. Don’t go to the appointment. Don’t open the invoice. Don’t step right into a state of affairs that makes your abdomen tighten and your coronary heart race.
Within the second, avoidance appears like aid. Your pulse slows, your shoulders loosen up, and for a short time, you suppose, I’m okay.
However right here’s the catch: avoidance doesn’t remedy anxiousness. It strengthens it. Like feeding a stray cat, avoidance retains coming again for extra. The extra we keep away from, the extra highly effective the worry turns into.
What Is Well being Nervousness?
Well being anxiousness is the persistent worry that you’ve, or will develop, a critical sickness—even when exams and medical reassurance say in any other case. Some folks understand it by its older identify, hypochondria, and in different circumstances, it overlaps with Well being OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Dysfunction), the place the worry of sickness fuels checking, reassurance-seeking, or infinite web analysis.
At its core, well being anxiousness shouldn’t be concerning the physique however about worry, and avoidance is among the major methods it retains an individual caught.
Jasmine’s Story
Jasmine is an govt assistant at a busy firm. She is the image of competence—organized, reliable, and admired by colleagues for her means to deal with high-pressure conditions. Outwardly, she appears like she has all of it collectively.
However inside, Jasmine feels tormented. She is terrified that she has a mind bleed.
It started with a boring headache, the type most of us would brush off. However one late-night web search become one other, and inside minutes, Jasmine was looking at articles about strokes, most cancers, and neurological illnesses. What if that’s me? The thought gripped her.
Her physician ordered exams. Each scan got here again clear. “You’re wholesome,” he assured her. Jasmine smiled, nodded, and walked out the door. For a number of days, she felt reassured. However quickly one other headache appeared, and the worry got here dashing again.
That’s when avoidance took root.
How Avoidance Exhibits Up
For Jasmine, avoidance regarded like this:
- Avoiding train. A raised coronary heart price felt like proof that one thing was improper.
- Avoiding social occasions. Loud music or shiny lights may “set off” a headache.
- Avoiding well being information and TV exhibits with a medical theme. Tales about strokes or mind tumors have been an excessive amount of to bear.
Every time she prevented, she felt momentary aid. However the worry all the time returned stronger. Quickly, Jasmine’s world grew smaller. She structured her life round stopping hazard that wasn’t even there.
Avoidance didn’t maintain her protected—it stored her caught.
The Cycle of Avoidance
That is the cycle Jasmine lived in, and maybe you acknowledge it too:
- A worry arises (What if this headache means a mind bleed?).
- Nervousness signs observe (racing coronary heart, lightheadedness, sweaty palms).
- Avoidance gives a fast escape (skip the exercise, decline the invitation).
- Reduction comes—for a second.
- Worry grows stronger subsequent time.
That is why avoidance is such a lure. It appears like safety, however in actuality, it’s gasoline for anxiousness.
What Scripture Teaches
Avoidance shouldn’t be a brand new battle. We see it within the Bible. Jonah ran in the wrong way when God referred to as him to Nineveh (Jonah 1:3). Adam and Eve hid within the backyard after disobeying God (Gen. 3:8-10). Each believed avoiding the state of affairs would deliver peace. It didn’t.
The Lord exhibits us a greater means: not hiding, not operating, however trusting His presence.
- “Worry not, for I’m with you; be not dismayed, for I’m your God” (Isa. 41:10, NKJV).
- “The LORD is my mild and my salvation; whom shall I worry?” (Ps. 27:1).
- “Peace I go away with you; my peace I give to you…Let not your hearts worry” (John 14:27).
True peace doesn’t come from avoidance. It comes from placing your religion into motion in the midst of worry.
Steps Towards Freedom
So what does it appear to be to step out of avoidance and into freedom? Listed below are some truths a fearful particular person can study, whether or not his or her battle is well being anxiousness, panic, OCD, social stress, or basic anxiousness.
1. Acknowledge the Sample
Naming avoidance is highly effective. When Jasmine realized, I’m skipping train as a result of I’m afraid of my coronary heart price, she may see the sample clearly. Consciousness is step one to alter.
2. Take Small, Courageous Steps
As a substitute of avoiding, begin with mild publicity. Jasmine started by attending simply ten minutes of her Pilates class, telling herself, “A racing coronary heart shouldn’t be proof I’d danger a mind bleed.” Every step chipped away at worry.
3. Change Worry with God’s Reality
Worry shouts, “You’re at risk.” Scripture says, “You’re protected in Me” (Ps. 91:1-2). Jasmine started memorizing verses like Isaiah 26:3: “You retain him in good peace whose thoughts is stayed on you, as a result of he trusts in you.” Rehearsing Scripture shifted her focus from signs to her Savior.
4. Observe Calming Abilities
Avoidance retains the nervous system revved up. Jasmine realized to pause, apply deep respiratory, and pray by means of her worry (Phil. 4:6). These easy rhythms helped her physique return to a spot of relaxation.
5. Have fun Progress
Every time Jasmine selected braveness over avoidance, she stopped to thank God (1 Thess. 5:17). Rejoicing in small victories constructed confidence and gratitude.
A Light Phrase for You
Possibly you don’t worry a mind bleed like Jasmine. However maybe you keep away from the dentist, skip physician visits, or maintain pushing aside that tough dialog. Avoidance all the time guarantees security—but it surely by no means delivers peace.
The excellent news is that this: you don’t have to remain caught. God invitations you to deliver your fears to Him. His presence is stronger than your avoidance. His guarantees are steadier than your worry.
“Forged all of your anxiousness on Him as a result of He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7, NIV).
If avoidance has been operating your life, take coronary heart. You possibly can study to step ahead, gently and bravely, with Christ by your aspect.
Questions for Reflection
- What conditions, actions, or conversations have you ever been avoiding due to worry? How has avoidance shrunk your life?
- What would it not appear to be to take one small, God-dependent step towards braveness this week?
