Valuable Ways Writers Can Combat Anxiety

by Beth K. Vogt @BethVogt

Anxiety disrupted the rhythm of my days recently.

Not a pleasant occurrence, this undercurrent of uneasiness that appears when I least expect it and interrupts my plans for the day, including my writing goals.

But God promises to bring good out of all things, and that includes disrupted seasons like this one.

“Beth,” you wonder, “what good can come out of wrestling with anxiety?”

That’s just it. I’ve chosen not to wrestle with my worry, but to breathe through it—and in doing so, I’ve found myself drawing closer to God in the very moments when anxiety tries to win. 

We creatives are gifted with sensitive, empathetic hearts that allow us to write books that connect with our readers on a personal level. But we need to guard our hearts too, so we don’t overload ourselves, which can lead to anxiousness.

This is where I’ve found the technique of prayer breathing to be so valuable. Prayer breathing combines the simple practice of box breathing, also known as square breathing, with meditating on specific scriptures.

Box breathing involves:

1. Inhaling slowly through your nose for a count of four
2. Holding your breath for a count of four
3. Exhaling slowly through your mouth for a count of four
4. Holding your breath for a count of four

As you breathe, you focus on a specific scripture to calm your heart and mind, such as:

• The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. (Psalm 23:1) 
• I give you all my burdens, and you will give me rest. (Matthew 11:28)
• Still my soul; You are God. (Psalm 46:10)

Focus on the first half of the scripture as you inhale and the second half of the scripture as you exhale. Repeat this process for five minutes, allowing the truth of the scripture to calm your heart.*

Prayer breathing isn’t an instant cure all for anxiety. You also may need to seek professional counsel depending on what else is going on in your life. But prayer—communication with God, one where you lean into his presence—is always a right choice. 

*Information taken from Breath as Prayer: Calm Your Anxiety, Focus Your Mind, and Renew Your Soul by Jennifer Tucker, published by Thomas Nelson 

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Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” She’s authored 15 novels and novellas, both contemporary romance and women’s fiction. Beth is a Christy Award winner, an ACFW Carol Award winner, and a  RITA® finalist. Her newest contemporary romance novel, Dedicated to the One I Love, released June 20, 2023. Her novel Things I Never Told You, book one in her Thatcher Sisters Series by Tyndale House Publishers, won the 2019 AWSA Golden Scroll Award for Contemporary Novel of the Year. An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Learn How to Write a Novel and The Write Conversation and also enjoys speaking to writers group and mentoring other writers. She lives in Colorado with her husband Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people. Connect with Beth at bethvogt.com.