Podcast Summary

Podcast: Focus on the Family with Jim Daly
Episode: Best of 2025: Overcoming Anxiety: Finding Peace in a Hectic World (Part 2 of 2)
Date: December 3, 2025
Guests: Dr. Gregory Jantz
Hosts: Jim Daly, John Fuller

Overview

This episode continues the deep dive into understanding and overcoming anxiety from a holistic, faith-based perspective. Building on practical guidance discussed in Part 1, Dr. Gregory Jantz—renowned mental health expert and founder of A Place of Hope—explores the spiritual, emotional, and physical factors contributing to anxiety. The discussion ranges from personal stories and therapeutic strategies to biblical wisdom and practical steps for healing, with an emphasis on hope, transformation, and the essential role of Christian faith.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Spiritual Context of Anxiety (02:52 – 04:22)

• Brokenness and Redemption:
  Jim Daly and Dr. Jantz discuss how anxiety is intertwined with the brokenness of humanity and the redemptive hope offered in Christ.

  “We seem to treat [mental health] differently than other things… Spiritually, we need to understand that God has forgiven and He takes the burden for us. And this is just part of this broken life.” — Jim Daly (03:25)

• Faulty Beliefs Fuel Anxiety:
  Dr. Jantz highlights how believing we’re insufficient Christians if we struggle with anxiety leads to misplaced guilt.

  "Maybe by faulty beliefs. If I was only a good enough Christian, God would… Or I wouldn’t suffer from this. And we start to rewrite our theology a little bit." — Dr. Gregory Jantz (04:01)

• Mind Renewal is Key:
  The need for regular spiritual renewal (“renewing your mind”) through scripture, and the dangers of excessive social media and negative input are stressed.

  “If I’m six hours a day into social media, that’s probably not renewing my mind.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (04:22)

Holistic Approach to Healing (04:49 – 07:02)

• More than a Magic Pill:
  Healing from anxiety is a journey blending spiritual, physical, and relational health.

  “God could be taking anxiety in your life and taking us through a journey. We may be needing to learn some things.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (05:13)

• Life Comparisons Shift Over Time:
  Personal and family experiences with illness and anxiety can deepen faith and perspective, making former problems seem smaller over time.

• Practical Assessment:
  Consider the role of toxic relationships and nutrition in anxiety.

  “As we change a few things, they start to feel better. As you start to feel better, you start to receive information better. Remember, anxiety takes my ability to concentrate…” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (05:56)

Tracing the Roots & Journaling (07:02 – 09:12)

• Childhood and Trauma’s Lasting Effects:
  Stories illustrate how specific early events (e.g., near-drowning, assault) can seed lifelong anxiety.

• Self-Assessment Exercise:
  Dr. Jantz recommends journaling for 15 minutes in prayer, asking God to reveal formative experiences or wounds.

  “Take out a piece of paper and say 15 minutes and ‘Lord God, show me anything that I need to be aware of to address, maybe that happened long ago.’ And just write down… whatever comes to mind.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (08:25)

The Long Journey to Redemption (09:19 – 12:03)

• Redemption Can Feel Distant:
  Healing and redemption may seem out of reach, especially after trauma, but hope exists.

  “There’s hope for all anxiety and fear journeys… We cannot dwell in anxiety.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (10:46)

• Retraining the Mind and Body:
  Habituated fear responses and pessimistic ‘what ifs’ can be gradually transformed via God’s help and intentional effort.

  “There needs to be a cleansing of maybe critical judgments… You need to see yourself as God sees you.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (11:11)

Forgiveness as Liberation (12:03 – 14:08)

• Forgiveness Breaks the Cycle:
  Not about reconciliation with the offender, but about freeing oneself from resentment and bitterness.

  “Forgiveness is a decision I’m making because I no longer want to be poisoned by what happened to me… My poison is resentment.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (12:30)

• Gratitude and Anxiety Can’t Coexist:
  Healing leads to newfound gratitude—a hallmark of progress.

  “It’s hard for anxiety and gratefulness to live together.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (13:38)

The “Jailbreak” Metaphor (14:08 – 16:15)

• Breaking Out of Anxiety’s Prison:
  Anxiety feels like a concrete cell, but escape starts with a conscious decision and a plan.

  “The breakout is also a decision. I’m not going to live this way anymore… Teach a new way to live.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (14:19)

• A Plan for Hope:
  Assess for root causes—trauma, chemical imbalances, addictions, or faulty beliefs—and build a step-by-step plan.

  “Hope comes when there’s a plan. So we’re putting together a plan for that jailbreak.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (15:28)

Anxiety Across Ages; Youth and COVID Impact (16:15 – 17:29)

• Generational Impact:
  Anxiety levels have surged among teens, especially after the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  “We’re seeing anxiety levels drop down to our 12, 17 year olds… For kids, a lot of times they’re absorbing the fear that’s around them.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (16:51)

• Lies of Anxiety:
  Anxiety whispers that you have no purpose; the truth is the opposite.

Helping Family Members with Anxiety (17:29 – 19:22)

• Facing a Spouse’s Anxiety:
  Practical support is more effective than platitudes; movement and environment changes can help.

  “I’m probably going to take her and we’re going to go outside for a walk… Movement changes. That’s just one simple thing.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (18:01)

• Simple Care Acts:
  Offering water, tea, or movement demonstrates care and soothes anxiety.

Stories of Hope in Recovery

• John’s Caffeine Journey (19:22 – 21:59):
  Overconsumption of coffee (10-12 pots/day) exacerbated John’s anxiety. Recovery began with simple nutritional changes and supported movement.

  “John said, nobody’s ever asked me what I put in my mouth. I was just looking for the magic pill… John couldn’t walk around the block, and so one of our team members actually walked him around the block.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (21:01)

• James’ Near-Suicide and Divine Intervention (22:26 – 24:29):
  After major losses, James planned suicide but was interrupted, and ultimately saved, by a persistent dog—seen as God’s intervention.

  “A dog runs on the beach and disrupts his plan and gets him thinking about other things… We need a truth distraction.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (23:45)

Faith and the Path Forward (24:29 – End)

• Don’t Stop Knocking:
  Persist in seeking God—answers and help will come, though rarely in the expected manner.

  “This is not the time, not the season to stop knocking, because there will be an answer. There’ll probably be multiple answers, and God may bring somebody into your life.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (25:11)

• Take Action, Step by Step:
  Courage is built by small actions, and regret grows when nothing is attempted.

  “You have more courage than what you realize. Remember, anxiety is lying to you… The regret comes when I don’t do anything.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (25:52)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “If I was only a good enough Christian, God would… Or I wouldn’t suffer from this.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (04:01)
• “If I’m six hours a day into social media, that’s probably not renewing my mind.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (04:22)
• “God could be taking anxiety in your life and taking us through a journey… I’m not the same person today that I was then.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (05:13)
• “Forgiveness is a decision I’m making because I no longer want to be poisoned by what happened to me.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (12:30)
• “It’s hard for anxiety and gratefulness to live together.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (13:38)
• “The breakout is also a decision. I’m not going to live this way anymore.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (14:19)
• “Hope comes when there’s a plan.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (15:28)
• “A dog runs on the beach and disrupts his plan and gets him thinking about other things.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (23:45)
• “This is not the time, not the season to stop knocking, because there will be an answer.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (25:11)
• “You have more courage than what you realize… The regret comes when I don’t do anything.” — Dr. Gregory Jantz (25:52)

Key Timestamps

• Spiritual context and beliefs: 02:52 – 04:22
• Holistic healing foundations: 04:49 – 07:02
• Childhood trauma and journaling exercise: 07:02 – 09:12
• Journey to redemption and mind renewal: 09:19 – 12:03
• Forgiveness as healing: 12:03 – 14:08
• Anxiety “jailbreak” and recovery planning: 14:08 – 16:15
• Youth anxiety and COVID impact: 16:15 – 17:29
• Supporting anxious loved ones: 17:29 – 19:22
• Stories (John, James): 19:22 – 24:29
• Hope, faith, and next steps: 24:29 – End

Conclusion

This episode provides heartfelt, biblically grounded encouragement for anyone struggling with anxiety or supporting someone who is. Dr. Jantz and the hosts deliver practical guidance for identifying root causes, embracing holistic healing, and drawing strength from faith in Christ. With personal stories, memorable metaphors, and actionable strategies, listeners are reminded that anxiety does not define their worth, hope is real, and taking even small steps can lead to lasting peace and transformation.