How To Overcome Anxiety

There’s a scene in Hamlet, and also in Dune, that came to mind this morning as I journaled. I highly recommend these two if you have not watched them.

And it’s incredible. It is a good example of why we need to learn scripture and why scripture has a psychotherapeutic effect. I am a big advocate for that, standing strongly for the motion because of C.G.Jung

But let’s focus on Hamnet.

Hamnet is a beautiful film. I loved Jacobi Jupe’s performance. There is a scene where his father tells him to be brave, and in order to show his bravery, he symbolically swaps souls with his sister. Can you imagine that?

In a sense, literature received Hamlet through that sacrifice.

Once again, it reminded me of what scripture says: “Whoever loses his life will find it, and whoever finds his life will lose it.” As counterintuitive as it may sound, there is a strange truth there.

We remain immortal by dying.

You have to lose your life to become immortal

In the novel and film Hamnet, the story centers on the family of a young Latin tutor, William Shakespeare, and his wife Agnes, specifically exploring the life and sudden death of their 11-year-old son Hamnet in 1596.

The narrative explores how this personal tragedy deeply affects the family and ultimately inspires the creation of one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, Hamlet — a name that was interchangeable with Hamnet at the time.

The child who played Hamnet was so good, Jacobi Jupe. The best young actor I have seen, though, is Owen Cooper from Adolescence. Owen Cooper blew me away.

There’s a scene where Agnes goes to the house of William Shakespeare for the first time. The conversation there was not good, so when they stepped out, she asked her brother Bartholomew:

“What would our mother say to us if we were afraid or uncertain?”

Bartholomew replied:

“To live with our hearts open. To shut it not in the dark, but to turn it to the sun.”

There’s a similar moment in Dune, where Paul, the main character, is taught a principle by his mother:

“Fear is the mind killer.”

This morning I woke up anxious. I have serious anxiety. I can wake up, and I am anxious just like that. Nothing has happened. I am simply anxious.

Then I start to write.

And just like in Hamnet and Dune, my mind pulls out two principles.

First, that scripture reigns supreme in my life.

Second, if that is the establishment, then what does scripture say?

Scripture says in the Book of Joshua 1:8.

Scripture says: fear not, for I am with you.

Scripture says: come to me, all who are heavily burdened.

Scripture says: Submit your ways to the Lord, and He will make your path straight. Lean not on your own understanding.

Just like Paul, Agnes, and Bartholomew, we must have tools we can pull from our sacks at every juncture.

But these tools work best when they come from a source that is higher than us. A source we believe in and trust.

Paul in Dune trusted his mother. He knew she would never let him down.

Agnes and Bartholomew regarded their mother as almost divine.

But God’s word is higher than all these people.

And scripture reminds us again and again that the human mind will wander toward fear unless it is anchored.

As it is written:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5–6

These are not just verses to read.

They are principles to carry.

Words to reach for when the mind becomes unsettled.

Tools for the road.

But the word of God stands above them all.

Carry it with you.
Keep it in your pack.
And move through the world with it.

Love