A Biblical View On Overcoming Social Anxiety

[@saintfrancis9619]

I’ve overcome a lot of my anxiety by trusting in god and taking leaps of faith. Staying in the word too has helped me drastically. It’s definitely not god’s will for you to live your life in fear but please take leaps of faith it will get better. As much as it is painful sometimes don’t let this get the best of you. But the key is focusing on god and not your thoughts. The devil is going to do his best keep you from what god wants you to be but the power of the Holy Spirit will always prevail.

[@MichaelMontefusco]

Amen to that!

[@CHRIS80MIC]

Amen! Thank you!

[@matilda95.]

What does trusting God mean? Is it that we trust Him to take care of us?

[@somethinggood9267]

This is so encouraging!! Thank you

[@IASAnannya-py3dr]

I can do all things through christ who strengthens me ❤❤

[@LittleAngryCarrots]

The fruits or let’s just say the bad fruits of my social anxiety: insecurities, lashing out on others, resentment, cynicism, and ironically perceiving myself better than others in some ways. Yep. Entirely sinful and I need to dispel it. Walking life with this as a stronghold brings things to ruins.

[@montefucius]

AND YOU ARE FORGIVEN FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE IN CHRIST! I commend you for the strength to look at some of the challenges and sinful behaviors you may struggle with. I also want to encourage you that you can only see these things through God's Spirit. It is really encouraging that there is evidence of Him showing you these things and convicting you of them. The primary purpose of seeing those is to run to Him for forgiveness, acceptance, and strength to walk on. It is definitely not meant to condemn you. In case you feel that temptation, as I often do, the irony is the more we look at Him and the less we look at ourselves, the less we'll struggle with those things, as opposed to just looking at ourselves in an effort to, "save ourselves" from these struggles. I see you posted this a year ago @LittleAngryCarrots, how has this year been for you in this arena?

[@tishahope2222]

I couldn’t have asked for a better video to watch. I was having a really rough day today with my anxiety and I kept wondering what was wrong with me like I do every time I let it get the best of me. This video brought me to tears. I feel I’ve finally understood how to overcome it and I don’t know how I didn’t before but, at the age of 21, I can’t think of I single moment where I never worried about what someone thought of me even as a kid. I always assumed something was wrong with me and now I understand that there isn’t. God made me the way I’m supposed to be. I was just letting the fear of the world get to me rather than turning to God when I’ve needed him most. Thank you for your message! For once I’ve found someone talk about this, not only with the word of God but, who comes off so genuine with their own struggles.

[@MichaelMontefusco]

Now you’re going to make me cry Tisha 😭 I am beyond glad it helped you. The battle may wage on but the war is already won. Praying for you to enjoy his love today 🙏🏻

[@kanikanewsome6305]

Omg me too. It does not discriminate. I'm going to watch this video and I pray I get the break through you had. How are you doing today?

[@CHRIS80MIC]

@@kanikanewsome6305 this is my prayer as well. I'm so glad God led me to this video. I've struggled with S.A.D. all my life, I'm now 41 yrs old and I still can't shake this. Sometimes I think, God why me. Why am I like this. I've missed out on so much in my life because of social anxiety. It has really been a dark cloud over my life since I was a kid. I'm praying for a break through to help me manage my social anxiety better because I know it doesn't completely go away. Please keep those who are suffering in prayer. Thank you!

[@kanikanewsome6305]

@@CHRIS80MIC 🤝🏾🙏🏾💜

[@kanikanewsome6305]

@@CHRIS80MIC You Are Not Alone. I am 43 years old and I deal with it on and off myself. Sometimes I'm very confident and sociable. I don't have a car and I catch the city bus sometimes I'll be so free that I'll have on my headphones and I'll be dancing on the bus not literally dancing but just bobbing my head to the music. And then I'll go through a phase where I be so afraid to catch the bus because I don't want nobody to watch me sit behind me Etc. I have however developed a lot of ways of coping with it and ways of thinking that helps out a lot but it only works if I'm confident enough to keep the negative self-talk out of my head it's all about what you say to yourself I do better when I start off listening to positive affirmations listening to self-help videos on KZbin yes KZbin helps I have a counselor and don't keep this stuff in tell someone they may say something that will instantly make you feel free and you'll go out there and be free. Also I exercise because I noticed now that I'm over 40 it can get worse if I don't watch it because my mind knows that I am not as strong and powerful as I was when I was younger so the mind will play tricks on you and lower your self-esteem making you feel Weak and Powerless so I would say build your body up and make sure you stay fit that will not only give you more confidence but when you feel strong your mind knows it and when your mind knows it you act more confident does that make sense. I know I just wrote a book without punctuation at that LOL but I just wanted to let you know do not get hopeless do not get help with you're higher power has an endless supply of coping skills you're never out of coping skills I'm sorry I'm writing a book but another thing to always face your fears never anally isolate you will not get better you have to expose yourself so you can know how to think and act in certain situations by facing your fears it will train you and each time you will learn more and more on what to tell yourself and another thing I don't care what nobody say you have to act as if your confidence try not to show the fear I know it's easier said than done because it was sometimes that I could not hide it the more they noticed divorce again but anyway never get hopeless you will always come up out of it

[@IASAnannya-py3dr]

I used to have fear of public speaking, but now when I have to go on stage I meditate on the word of god , I imagine that I am speaking boldly and fearlessly like christ knowing that I am hos child and made in his image , I came to know who I am in christ and now I speak confidently. Though devil keep giving me negative thoughts but I counter it with what god says about me. ❤❤so do not fear asi the lord to speak through you and he will hive you utterances remember that you are not alone standing on stage but the mightiest holy ghost is also standing in you ❤❤, is'nt that amazing to know that holy ghost is speaking through you..😊😊

[@montefucius]

Indeed. I'm glad He has redeemed you from your struggle that way as well. I would have NEVER have been able to get up and speak like this before He helped change me, but I am still a work in progress. Definitely pray I can put my anxieties behind me as I do believe He plans to use what He shows me in the lives of others.

[@IASAnannya-py3dr]

@montefucius yes true that we need to act on our faith because faith without work is dead , one day I just decided to go on stage and I said lord I am not courageous enough to speak on stage but your word says that I can do all things through christ who strengthens me and I believed it and guess what I started speaking fearlessly still don't know how ? It was definitely holy ghost , jesus is amazing 🥹

[@Poppy.seeds.]

Mike, I have suffered from this from a very young age (currently 31y.o). I’ve been praying about it for years.. I’ve seen psychologists.. I just recently did a heavy duty fast, have been studying Gods word, I did a powerful novena to the precious blood of Jesus and Mary undoer of knots.. I’ve prayed to God with all my heart and soul and just yesterday on Saint Joseph’s feast day God lead me to your video… it is beyond words to explain how much it has been transformative for me.. and enlightening for me.. truly the greatest blessing… I know it will bring above such deep healing for me.. Thank you brother.

[@MichaelMontefusco]

I'm sorry I've been using another Google account lately and didn't check my notifications on this channel for too long. I'm encouraged by your message and hope that continues to show you things and draw you close. At the same time, be encouraged that even if it feels like you're in a season where that may not be happening, the Lord is still faithful. He will keep you until the end. He intends to reveal the glory of His Son to you. I would also encourage you that faith in Jesus is the prize for which we should exert our greatest efforts. I don't know what some of those things you've mentioned are, but they may be helpful, they may not. I don't know for sure about the pitfalls of what the person after me replied to you about Harry Potter. That may be true as well. I'm not an expert on such things. But I can tell you this: if you pursue apprenticeship to the Son, and you put your faith in him in all instances, and you go where he leads you, he'll make sure you have what you need to get where you need to go. 🌞✨. I've been reading a book lately called *Practicing the Way* by John Mark Comer, and I've found it really helpful. If you're looking for a good read, check it out. I especially like the audio version. He's got a very calm and centering narration voice. 📚💫 God bless!

[@fullsunoo]

Glory be to God.

[@trinaw2928]

This is amazing, I don’t think anyone has ever talked about social anxiety in a biblical way. I have been healed of this, but it does try to come back, and I’ve been letting it trip me up, but I’m noticing that at those moments God wants me to have faith, & believe that I am healed. But finding videos like these really gives me break-through!

[@MichaelMontefusco]

Awesome to hear you’ve already made such growth. I think there will always be seasons where sin will lift its ugly head and try and take control again. I can speak for myself that sometimes I get discouraged when something feels like a “set-back”, but have often found it was just another step forward. Thanks for commenting on this Trina. Really made my day 🙏🏻

[@Dannyjfdz]

This was a awesome teaching I pray God continues to use you and your ministry to reach others who need this message. As an athlete your judged by your performance so you often look for approval and acceptance of coaches fans teammates. Often times your confidence can stem from these things. But what I am continuing to learn is that my confidence has to stem from Jesus and the glory is not for me but for the one who saved me.

[@montefucius]

I understand what you mean. Believe it or not, I spent ten years of my professional career coaching athletes. I sold my facility 3 years ago. Thankfully I was the strength coach, so I didn't have to cut kids from teams or determine playing time. I'm sure, somewhere along the lines, kids probably struggled with performance anxiety in my gym though. It's hard not to get sucked into the world's value systems. I'm sorry you had to go through that. I know it can become ingrained. It's amazing how powerful meditation can be. I can assure you, you are 100% loved and accepted without limits in Christ by our great God, and I offer you likewise. I pray that God would let those truths wash over you daily as you set your mind on them, and that you would be an agent for his type of love as you accept and love others in the world regardless of their performance. Let us bring him glory through this situation in Jesus's name!

[@RunToEternity]

Well I guess the one verse that always seemed to me that seemed to address my social anxiety is 1 John 4:18, the part where it says, "perfect love casts out fear". I guess I never looked at my social anxiety as sin, but just because I didn't analyze it in that way. After you point it out though, you are right. The fear you have as a socially anxious person keeps you inwardly focused, instead of focused on others and God of course. Too bad it is not that simple as saying stop having it, because of course I wanted to stop having it. It started back so early for me as a kid, maybe 2 or 3 years old. It wasn't until my mid-thirties that I slowly started getting over my social anxiety. As a Christian I have prayed many times for God to take my anxiety away, or help me get over it. It has just taken a really long time, even though I tried to force myself to be social, it wasn't easy. I still ended up not talking much. Well finding this was good, although to do so I had to search Social Anxiety Christian, because I wanted a Christian perspective on social anxiety, or if there are other Christians out there that have or had social anxiety like me.

[@MichaelMontefusco]

Thanks for sharing. It sometimes stings that God doesn’t instantly change the circumstances He can so easily rid us of. It takes faith to trust that He is real and that He is good and that He is at work. I look forward to the day you see Him face to face and there isn’t the slightest bit of any anxiety in your soul nor mine. The day will come and it will all have been worth it my friend. I appreciate you connecting with me over the real struggles you have had in this life. I feel honored and will pray for you right now that God meets you and fills your heart with joy. Our day is coming!!!

[@connerpowersyoutube]

Thank you

[@montefucius]

Most welcome 🙏

[@Nikitaxo24]

Sin is seeking gods glory for ourselves. We are wanting to be like God. Want acceptance. We are made to be worshipped like God. Social anxiety wanting a wrong perception of others and ourselves. We are chasing after approval from men. Love from others. We have it all from God. Wow 👌 👏 wake up call.

[@montefucius]

How has your year been?

[@yungjeddy]

As a pastor’s son, I struggle with this from time to time. It just comes and goes and is so uncomfortable to talk about with friends. Praying for peace of mind with every person who struggles with this too

[@MichaelMontefusco]

Thanks Jed. Made my day to read this!

[@niah-j3l]

amazing video, I’m 15 struggling with social anxiety and being judge, but this video was an eye opener ❤😊

[@montefucius]

Social anxiety at 15 for me was a BEAST!!! Was the prime driver behind what became a wild drug addiction that lasted over a decade. He WILL change you. You ARE already perfect in Christ. Spend some time fellowshiping with God over these things and be transformed by the renewing of your mind!

[@Jgordo111jdg]

Amen

[@montanais3]

Exactly what I needed. God brought me to this video. Praise Father!

[@montefucius]

Hi Montana. I pray that you are still fighting the good fight of faith. I pray that though the temptations may be very discouraging sometimes that you would continue to experience God working in His perfect timing. He loves you without limits or conditions :)

[@encouragedbyashley2679]

Watching this again brotha !! Thankyou

[@montefucius]

I hope it blessed you!

[@rubio357]

When I go into a social gathering that is not structured where people are just freely talking to one another. It is so debilitating that i invariably have to leave. How am I seeking glory? I fully understand that I am percieved and spoken of as a weak and cowardly man. What your describing more closely resembles narcissism.

[@hiitstam]

This blessed me heaps! Had to watch it through a second time😄

[@MichaelMontefusco]

So glad to hear that. I read comments like this and it definitely inspires me to carve out more time for things like this. God is good. There's nothing like experiencing His love through the Gospel of His Son. Have a blessed week 😊

[@hiitstam]

​@@MichaelMontefusco Well... not to puff you up too much but i created a word document with notes from your video that I view every so often haha... that's a first for me lol. One thing God is leading me to realise is how much pride is behind anxiety. And that's a sobering pill to swallow but it takes me out of the victim mindset of ohhh no i'm so anxious to hey you are caring wayyy to much about your image/how people see you. And since your video i've been saying in anxious times "hey i'm not designed to be the one people give glory too.. that's for God". And it's been humbling and freeing. So yay, thanks!

[@MartialGolf]

I really love your insight and gospel approach. I’d say, however, that the primary issue isn’t wanting to put oneself to be worshipped but more wanting acceptance and elevating other’s above God in a sense

[@MichaelMontefusco]

You might be 100% correct for you and many others. However, during my experience in counseling, the answer is very nuanced for different people. I've had people, in a counseling environment, after multiple conversations, lots of questions, listening, exploring further, and letting God's Spirit work, actually verbally confess this. I've had women conclude and tell me they wanted to be worshiped in their body image issues, which created loads of anxiety in social situations when they wished they looked a certain way. They told me that never in a million years would they have thought that was part of their problem until the Lord's Spirit showed it to them. One thing I know for certain is that sin is far sneakier than I ever could have thought it would be. Tim Keller has a famous quote that "We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope." I definitely agree. I continue to learn more and more implications of that as life goes on. To circle back to your statement, it's possible that neither you struggle with that, nor has anyone you've ever cared for regarding that topic. But I feel pretty confident in saying that I know that it does exist, even within my own heart. The avoidance of shame is also a huge theme in many people's lives, which I didn't get a chance to cover the way I would have liked to. This, again, is a huge one personally for me. I realized that some of my most socially anxious moments are when I'm trying to prevent experiencing shame by looking bad in front of other people. I don't know if you noticed in the first couple minutes, I mentioned something of my own personal anxiety before walking on stage. This was definitely a part of it. I get in this worry that I'm going to forget what I'm going to say or something like that. Now, in reality, I actually do have a physical disability from mold toxicity, in which I have very, very poor short-term memory and bad brain fog. But, the anxiety I experience is more than that, if I'm being honest. Let's hope I'm not everyone's only education on this topic though. Can't cover it all in 30 minutes! Thanks so much for chiming in and sparking more conversation. I think it's really cool that I've gotten to have these conversations with people all over the world because of this video on KZbin. God bless!

[@MartialGolf]

@@MichaelMontefusco Thank you for the thoughtful response and great insights. Your point on shame is definitely something that added to my own social anxiety. I was engaged in a chronic sin that I thought was relatively innocuous. Once I confronted this sin and worked on removing it from my life, my social anxiety notably improved. I'd say I was unconsciously feeling shame from this and didn't even realize it.

[@tonydak8573]

Thank you, God almighty, for this eye opening message on social anxiety that could only come from you!

[@MichaelMontefusco]

I’m glad it blessed you!

[@ChideraUwandu]

This message will be forever timely on this side of Heaven. Thanks for sharing!! God bless!

[@MichaelMontefusco]

You are most welcome. I am glad God used it to bless you. May His grace be forever in view :)

[@yungjeddy]

2:38 That prayer is powerful thank you

[@fullsunoo]

thank you so much... i really _really_ needed this.

[@montefucius]

So welcome. Sorry for the delated reply :)

[@davidhansen7988]

Solid!

[@MichaelMontefusco]

Thanks for the encouragement!

[@Gleamingjoy]

Hey Mike! I wanted to say thank you so much for this sermon! I have been battling with social anxiety since High School. I’m tempted to look for help outside of His Word often but then I remember my Creator knows me more than I know myself. I am now a mother of 4 boys, work from home and am having a hard time with Social Anxiety at the moment. I don’t have much time to be in the Word or meditate on His Word because of how busy I am. I have reached out to my church and sat and talked with my Pastor a couple of times but he thinks my social activity might stem from marital issues but I have had social anxiety before meeting my husband. It’s hard to explain to people when they haven’t felt it or know what I’m talking about. I was wondering if you could let me know where I should focus the little time I have in the Word to help me battle this through Christ. Which verses I should meditate on? Thank you so much.

[@MichaelMontefusco]

Thanks for the encouragement. Yeah it can be a tough battle. The Word is rich and the heart is diverse, so there are a lot of places you could go in scripture and it’s hard to know your “flavor” of anxiety. But one place that I’d suggest is Philippians 2. To see that Jesus was all glorious (in the form of God), but He chose to humble Himself to pursue serving others (us, specifically). He doesn’t bear wrestle His thoughts of anxiety to the ground, He’s too busy thinking about others to even have the struggle! I have found this helpful to return to many times. I pray The Lord shows you more of Himself in the days ahead and that it quiets your mind and satisfies your soul!

[@kaseycorliss7282]

You have a gift for teaching the word, I pray that continues for you. I'm definitely struggling with social anxiety like never before but despite what some others are saying I find this very helpful and it's a comforting reminder that you don't have to be the center of attention.

[@MichaelMontefusco]

Thanks for the encouragement. It can be so tough to deal with sometimes. It almost makes me feel “trapped” which is a scary feeling. But there is growth, there is change there is hope. You truly are a new creation and God is with you in this. He’s not up there tapping his foot awaiting for you to “figure it out” or “get strong enough” to deal with it. He’s compassionate, gentle, and accepts you right where you are. I pray that you can give up all control and bring your weaknesses to Him in faith and experience His eager aid to meet you right where you are at my sister!

[@encouragedbyashley2679]

Here watching ! If only more preachers preached about this ! Thanks for taking the time to break this down 🌸

[@servantofourlordjesuschris6456]

I have so much fear to the point that the light of day puts me under pressure. There is so many problems I have.

[@MichaelMontefusco]

Praying for you now.

[@servantofourlordjesuschris6456]

@@MichaelMontefusco thanks!

[@vinaya5682]

Same! How do u feel now🙃

[@bethwilliams5075]

There’s a difference between social anxiety and social anxiety disorder. As a mental health professional and someone who battles social anxiety disorder, it’s not a heart issue. It’s not something that comes from wanting glory for ourselves. It’s a disease that must be treated. God helps us through fighting of disease and is the Ultimate Healer but to assume those with social anxiety are simply after glory for themselves is short sighted.

[@MichaelMontefusco]

I actually don’t disagree with you. There are times that medications can play a role and that there is a brokenness in our physical health that causes and contributes to social anxiety. If I could go back in time and tip my hat to that fact in the message, I totally would. But alas, we are here now and this message has helped a lot of people so I am choosing to let it ride. And not everyone is after glory. Some are more the “acceptance” type. And I also do believe that, even in the face of a medical condition, our hearts still have an influence. It can scratch at the wound and make things worse. Thanks for your feedback!

[@inatorquoisemood93]

The presenter has obviously never experienced complex childhood trauma himself and doesnt understand the attendant deep inner insecurity that grows out of that, which in later adult life manifests as social anxiety disorder. This is Not an issue of wanting glory for oneself. Many people with this issue are deeply shame based and are hiding from glory - if anything

[@Mymle]

@@inatorquoisemood93 but shame is also a way of thinking about yourself and obsessing. It’s hard to explain, shame is real but what we’ve experienced in the past is over and we can’t let it dictate our lives trough our minds. Shame is a form of self expression. Not judging you just trying to bring some perspective, you are not your anxiety it’s something you have. I think we often try to put other people up there as a pedestal but it’s still a way to just protect ourselves.

[@CralTown]

​@@inatorquoisemood93 thats not fair to say, you dont know him

[@philippe2785]

thanks man, some good education.

[@tintennmusic]

Been struggling with this ever since I can remember. Has fueled my drug addiction and now two months sober Im looking for answers. I would love to talk to you one on one if that was cool with you. Either way thanks for the video

[@MichaelMontefusco]

Send me an email [e-mail] Not sure if I mention it in the message, but I was a drug addict as well. Went homeless in 04 and everything. Reach out and we can chat no problem.

[@encouragedbyashley2679]

Wow this is your most viewed video ! God used you in this video 💖🙂keep encouraging with the word of God ! It’s needed

[@MichaelMontefusco]

Thanks so much!

[@encouragedbyashley2679]

@Mike Montefusco yw!

[@Sandra-jx2ng]

Needed this, thank you 🙏

[@MichaelMontefusco]

Glad to hear you say that Sandra. And your encouragement blesses me. Can I pray for you in any specific way? We might get to talk about God’s faithfulness together in eternity some day 😇

[@katebrandnew]

This is awesome ❤

[@destiny9734]

What a powerful message, thank you Lord for leading me to it, and thank you speaker for following the leading of the Holy Spirit also! Remain blessed 🙌🏾

[@MichaelMontefusco]

That’s encouraging, thanks! God’s word is powerful!

[@newtonzheng6506]

Really needed this video today. Thank you Mike for sharing your experience and for such a clear explanation!

[@MichaelMontefusco]

Glad it blessed you sir! Hearing that blesses me as well my brother. God delights in you. I will pray that becomes more real to you than the world you can see with your physical eyes.

[@newtonzheng6506]

@@MichaelMontefusco thanks brother! I appreciate that. Will be praying for you as well :)

[@alnarriawhitfield9133]

I understand more now. Thanks and thanks to god for giving you the word ❤️

[@MichaelMontefusco]

Most welcome. He loves us more than we can ever know.

[@carisaelizabethdias5904]

This is excellent!!! and to the point

[@MichaelMontefusco]

Thanks for the encouragement my sister!

[@kleppeivo]

For the first time in years struggling with social anxiety, I learn about social anxiety being a sin which I can repent from. This really opens doors for me man. Thankyou brother!

[@MichaelMontefusco]

It takes humility to see that. I commend you for wanting to honor the Lord in this way. For me it is still a daily struggle. But there has also been so much grace. May God bless you :)

[@Poppy.seeds.]

Ephesians 1 I just realised is referring to a devotion called the Divine Will which I am deeply devoted to.. I hope God allows this comment to be useful to you… deepest love thank you…

[@MichaelMontefusco]

Thanks so much for sharing!

[@crj2721]

Thank you very much for sharing! (though it was awhile ago) I just discovered it and hope to apply the lessons learnt on how to overcome this sin with faith in God. Just wondering any suggestions if we are anxious of not being a good witness for Christ, and so are afraid to do or say anything wrong which gives a bad impression of Christ?

[@MichaelMontefusco]

It was a while ago. But the video started getting all these views just really the last 4 months or so. Thanks for the encouragement! Here’s a couple thoughts about the fear of being a bad witness (which may or may not apply to you as we can all be affected in different ways). 1) Part of this is healthy and good. Seeing witnessing as important, and the fact that you want to do a good job can be commendable. So good job. 2) However, to the level that it debilitates you or keeps you from witnessing at all is what you’d want to address. Make sure you are cultivating a love for the person you want to witness to. When we operate out of love we take the focus off ourselves and put the focus on the other person’s desperate need. This makes me a lot less anxious to think about others over myself. This is how Christ was able to say some very difficult things to people during his ministry. Christ has made us promises that we can lean on in times of temptation. In The Great Commission he said he would be with us always to the end of the age. This is particularly true when we are doing his work of building his church. I take great faith in the story where Jesus feeds the 5000 in John then tells us he is the bread of life. It’s a metaphor that he is the one who satisfies the crowds of hungry desperate people. And when we see our inability to do his kingdom work just like the disciples despaired they didn’t have enough food. Christ will multiple our work to meet the needs of people with plenty left over (12 extra baskets in the parable.) Praying for grace for you now 🙏🏻

[@crj2721]

​@@MichaelMontefusco Thank you very much for your reply. I'll keep your suggestions in mind, they are very helpful and will hopefully change the way I see things in the future. Thank you also for your prayer, God bless!

[@fredferd2649]

What the hell would bible bashers know on the subject?