Does anxiety make dating difficult for you?

If you’ve been fighting anxiety in your dating relationship, it’s likely you have days or even weeks when your heart feels empty, dried up, or “hard.”

That kind of response is natural with anxiety. Any kind of fear can shut down the heart and keep it from prospering (Prov. 4:23). If your heart is shut down, it’s hard for you to “feel” good things and connect with them.

What can you do to encourage your heart to let go of anxiety and become soft again?

Here’s one idea.

Read the following prayers and related Scriptures with faith. Meditate on them, and allow your heart to believe they are true even if it can’t sense the truth emotionally.

The Bible is a firm foundation that does not change its mind or fail to be trustworthy. It is always true, no matter the situation, and you can always trust it, no matter how you feel.

1. Lord, You are life to my heart. You are the One who gives me hope for the future. Because of You, I have the courage to believe for good things. You are my Father, and I know You are generous with me.

Without you, I know I can’t make it. (Ps. 40:12 TPT)

Command those who are rich in the things of this life not to be proud, but to place their hope, not in such an uncertain thing as riches, but in God, who generously gives us everything for our enjoyment. (1 Tim. 6:17 GNT)

2. Lord, My heart desires You. No matter how I feel, that is the truth about me: My heart desires You. You are the most important thing I have.

Keep me before your face forever. (Ps. 41:12 TPT)

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” (Rom. 8:15 NASB) 

3. You are my remedy. You are my softness in a hard place.

I long for the True God who lives.
    When can I stand before Him and feel His comfort? (Ps. 42:2 VOICE)

4. Father, I know that You are right for me. You are good for me.

Why am I so overwrought?
    Why am I so disturbed?
Why can’t I just hope in God?
    Despite all my emotions, I will believe and praise the One
    who saves me and is my life. (Ps. 42:5 VOICE)

5. I will trust You and not be afraid.  

See, God has come to save me.
    I will trust in him and not be afraid. (Isa. 12:2 NLT)

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
    I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (Isa. 41:10 NLT) 

Take courage, child of God. You might be dealing with anxiety right now, but He is with you and He won’t let you go.

Your heavenly Father loves you more than you realize! Check out these other devotions:

• 3 Simple Ways to Connect with the Lord, Especially If You’re Tired

• Do You Long for Greater Peace? Cherish God’s Voice

• 2 Things to Remember If You’re Anxious About the Future

For more information on sex, marriage, and finding the person who is right for you, get a copy of Becoming the One by Salomé Roat. Click here to learn more. The book is also available in Spanish.