The Reason Why So Many People Struggle with Anxiety—and Don’t Even Know Why

The Surprising Science Behind Your Spiritual, Mental, and Physical Health

The Reason Why So Many People Struggle with Anxiety—and Don’t Even Know Why

If you’ve ever felt like your mind is at war with your body—or your heart is at war with both—you’re not imagining things. The human experience isn’t just physical or just spiritual. Scripture, the writings of the early church, and modern science all confirm that we are tripartite beings—body, soul, and spirit.

When one part of us is neglected or out of alignment, we feel it everywhere. Anxiety and stress aren’t just “in the mind”—they manifest physically and have deep spiritual implications. Understanding this balance isn’t just theoretical; it’s one of the most practical keys to lasting peace.

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity

The Apostle Paul makes it clear:

"Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

This isn’t just poetic language. The early Christians understood that we are composed of three interwoven parts:

• Body – Our physical form, which experiences hunger, fatigue, and pain.

• Soul – The seat of our emotions, intellect, and personality.

• Spirit – The deepest part of us, created to commune with God.

Each of these needs care. Neglect one, and the others suffer.

The Science of Spiritual and Emotional Health

Modern research confirms what Scripture has said all along: our spiritual life affects our mental and physical health.

1. Prayer and Anxiety Reduction – A study in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine found that structured prayer reduces stress and enhances emotional regulation (Masters & Spielmans, 2007).

2. Scripture and Brain Function – Neuroscientist Andrew Newberg found that meditative reading of sacred texts, such as lectio divina, strengthens neural pathways associated with peace and emotional stability (Newberg & Waldman, 2009).

3. Fasting and Mental Clarity – Research shows that intermittent fasting, which has long been a spiritual discipline, enhances brain function and lowers cortisol, the stress hormone (Longo & Mattson, 2014).

Finding Peace by Aligning Spirit, Soul, and Body

If anxiety has taken hold, the solution isn’t just therapy, exercise, or even prayer alone—it’s an integrated approach that honors all three aspects of our humanity.

• Nourish Your Spirit – Begin and end each day with prayer and scripture. Morning prayer, especially structured prayers like the Psalms or the daily office, sets the tone for peace. "Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble." (Psalm 119:165)

• Renew Your Mind – Protect yourself from mental clutter. Limit news intake, meditate on scripture, and replace worry with thanksgiving. St. John Climacus wrote, "A servant of the Lord stands bodily before men, but mentally he is knocking at the gates of heaven with prayer."

• Care for Your Body – Sleep well, eat wisely, and fast with discernment. St. Seraphim of Sarov advised, "One who is engaged in spiritual struggles should never neglect the body. An exhausted body weakens the soul."

The Peace You’ve Been Looking For

If you’ve been fighting anxiety without relief, maybe you’ve been addressing only one part of yourself. Lasting peace comes when we live as we were designed—body, soul, and spirit working together in harmony.

Take a moment today to check in: How are you nourishing your spirit? How are you renewing your mind? How are you caring for your body? Align them, and you’ll discover the peace that has been waiting for you all along.

References

• Masters, K. S., & Spielmans, G. I. (2007). Prayer and health: Review, meta-analysis, and research agenda. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 30(4), 329–338. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-007-9106-7

• Newberg, A. B., & Waldman, M. R. (2009). How God changes your brain: Breakthrough findings from a leading neuroscientist. Ballantine Books.

• Longo, V. D., & Mattson, M. P. (2014). Fasting: Molecular mechanisms and clinical applications. Cell Metabolism, 19(2), 181–192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2013.12.008