The “Dirty Sinner” Lie: 7 Secrets to Completely Easing Your Anxiety About God

This post is about having anxiety about God.

Written by a previous trauma therapist, a Licensed Master Social Worker, and current PhD Student learning how to bridge the gap between theology and psychology.

Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on purchases (at no extra cost to you).

Many individuals will struggle with anxiety about God whether they believe in Him or not. Many Christians struggle with the fear of hell making them scared of God when they truly shouldn’t be. We all struggle and grapple with our relationship with Christ an unhealth fear of the Lord is not something He wants us to struggle with. Many will even spend countless nights having panic attacks debating whether or not they have committed the “unforgiveable sin” thinking their life is eternally over. Today, I am here to help you fight against this anxiety and build a foundation in Christ that speaks nothing BUT truth to combat your anxiety about God. Let’s get into it!

What to do when you are “Scared of God”.

We have all had those moments where we have feared “I am a dirty sinner. There is no way God will forgive or want me”

This believe opens the flood gates of fearful thoughts that will have an individual struggling with endless nights full of anxiety, panic attacks, low self-image, and maybe even suicidal thoughts. But this is never where God wanted us to be not only within our minds but throughout our lives. God did not create our brains to be stuck in this endless loop of fear toward not only Him, but you guys’ relationship with one another. Instead, God created our brains to resilient. Capable to take on life’s challenges and OVERCOME them.

Many will struggle with the idea that they have become too much for God, and that they are too far gone. Today let’s destroy that anxiety by looking at 7 Biblical truths to help bring peace and transform your mind and relationship with Christ.

1: God Prioritizes Your Soul More Than Your Situation

Whenever we are grappling with the difficulties this life brings, we often reach out to the Lord for instant healing or redemption of the current situation. But God on the other hand is focusing on your SOUL.

Back during the time Jesus was walking this earth with His disciples, many believed that disabilities and illnesses was due to your own sin or the sins of your parents. That is why we see the disciples asking Jesus in John 9:2 “His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (NIV).

So, when Jesus healed the paralyzed man in Mark 2:1-12 it makes a little more sense on why Christ said, “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5 NIV). The paralyzed man’s who life he had been told “This is your fault”, “You did this to yourself”, “Your parents should have been better” “You have to pay the consequences”. What a heavy burden to carry.

What relief this man must have felt knowing that he no longer had to bear the weight of those sins that had been put upon his shoulders his whole life. I wonder what relief you might feel if you are able to allow God to take the same weight off your shoulders as well.

Today, we can receive that relief but allow God to take the weight of our sins. He died on the cross knowing ever sin you would commit to relieve EVERY anxious thought you would grapple with.

2: God’s Grace Renews Every Morning

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23

God has stated from the VERY beginning His love for you and I is never changing and never ending. The anxiety that God love has ran out, starts with the belief that our sins our greater than the love our Lord has to give.

But let me ask you. What make you think that a creation could ever be greater than the creator? Nothing is!

God’s grace renews EVERY single morning. If your mind has the power to condemn your every move, does it not have the power to show how God has redeemed it? Today, lean onto to the fact that God’s love is never changing, never ending, and no sin is EVER too big for the Lord to forgive.

3: Let Your Fear Be an Invitation

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7

When our amygdala (the alarm system of our brain) we often start to believe that our fear is due to a lack of faith. Fear on the other hand is our brain letting us know that something is wrong.

God designed our brains to protect us. But when the brain tries to tell us to pull away from the Lord, we must remind ourselves to run towards Him. These struggles are often just showing us a deeper-rooted issue that needs to be addressed. So, let’s welcome the Lord into our moments of despair and allow Him to guide us to the truth!

4: Let Your Conviction Bring Hope Not Condemnation

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” – Romans 8:1

We must remind ourselves that the only perfect person is Christ Himself. So, we can expect ourselves to mess up. God expects it! When we fail God is not pointing the finger straight to hell. No! Instead, He is a perfect parent showing up to help guide you down the path of righteousness.

God shows us when we are guilty of a mistake and teaches us how to change for the better.

The devil shows us our sins and breads fear into our minds showing us hell.

That is his destiny not yours or mine!

Why? Because we are redeemed through the blood of Christ and we want to spend eternity with Christ! Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so anxious about your relationship with the Lord!

5: God is Looking at Your Direction, Not Perfection

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 1:6

You may be struggling with your walk with the Lord because you are convinced you are going to screw it up some way somehow. But I am here to bring you the best news! There is two people in this journey, you and the Lord.

We can find peace in knowing that no matter what mistakes we make and no matter what obstacles we may face, the perfect Lord will see you through. Although we are not perfect, our Father is and we can trust that He will guide your relationship to the finish line!

6: No Sin Is Greater Than the Love of Christ

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39

I have said it earlier on, but it is important that I address it again. No sin is greater than our Lord. When you start to feel like that “dirty sinner”, let’s throw away that shame and put on our new identify in Christ.

In psychology, a “secure attachment” means you know you are safe and loved, even when you mess up. We can develop a secure attachment in Christ because He repeatedly shows us throughout scripture no matter what we do, nothing can or will separate us from the love our God has for us.

7: Take Action Against Your Anxiety

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16

God does not want us to sit in our anxiety. Instead, He wants us to come to Him in confidence.

God never called us to face these hardships on our own and there are many individuals including professionals, spiritual leaders, and your brothers and sisters in Christ that want to walk with you in this journey.

You can find a faith-based therapist that wants to help you with your anxiety today here!

Do not be scared to reach out. Many Christians have walked this path, and God has seen them through! Allow the Lord to guide you through today!

Prayer

Lord, my brain is spinning right now, and I feel so disconnected from You. Thank You that You are not intimidated by my anxiety or my mistakes. Please calm my nervous system and remind me that my identity is completely secure in You. Help me to hear the gentle voice of Your Holy Spirit leading me to growth and teach me to completely tune out the enemy’s voice of condemnation. I lay down my guilt, I accept Your brand-new grace, and I ask You to help me rewire my mind to trust You more tomorrow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Christian Journal Prompts

1. What is the actual root of my anxiety right now? Am I just stressed about my day, or am I feeling spiritually distant from God? How does knowing He has already forgiven my deepest sins change my perspective?

2. Where am I holding onto yesterday’s mistakes? God’s grace reset the second you woke up this morning. What specific guilt do I need to leave in the past so I can fully step into today?

3. How do I typically react when my “spiritual alarm clock” goes off? When I feel anxious about my faith, do my habits push me to isolate and hide from God, or do I use that uncomfortable feeling as a reminder to run toward Him for help?

4. Is the voice in my head bringing condemnation or conviction? Look at the thoughts making you panic. Are they vague, heavy, and shaming (condemnation)? Or are they specific, gentle, and offering a clear, hopeful way to apologize and do better (conviction)?

5. Am I demanding perfection instead of celebrating progress? Growing to be more like Jesus takes a lifetime. Where can I give myself grace for the messy, slow, and beautiful process of spiritual growth?

6. What lies am I believing about my relationship with God? List any thoughts that are telling you God is fed up with you or that you have “out-sinned” His love. Next to them, write out Romans 8:38-39 to remind yourself of the absolute truth.

7. What is one tiny action I can take right now to calm my mind? Instead of sitting in guilt, what is one confident step I can take toward God right now? (e.g., putting on a worship song, reading one Psalm, or sending a quick text to a Christian friend).

Additional Resources

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Closing Thoughts

Hello my dear brothers and sisters in Christ! I am so sorry I haven’t been able to post daily. I got very sick and had to take some time to rest and be renewed by the Lord. I hope today’s devotional brings you the love and peace you need from the Lord today. I pray He guides you closer to Him each day! Let me know what you thought of today’s devotional and any requests you might have!

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Think Like Christ Mental Health

Disclaimer

Educational and Spiritual Support Only: I am not your therapist. The information provided on this blog—including book recommendations, worksheets, biblical insights, coping skills, or any other content on this blog—is for  educational, informational, and spiritual encouragement purposes only. No Professional Relationship Interacting with this content, including leaving comments or sending direct messages, does not create a therapist-client relationship. This blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Seek Professional Help: Always seek the advice of your physician or a licensed mental health provider regarding any medical or psychological condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here. If you are in a crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a crisis hotline immediately.