Reframing Anxiety: Embracing the Opportunity to Draw Closer to Jesus with Curtis Chang

Native Exiles

In this thought-provoking episode with Curtis Chang, we explore a radical shift in how we view anxiety—not as a problem to be solved or eliminated, but as an opportunity to draw nearer to Jesus. Curtis delves into how anxiety often marks the people who approach Jesus, and how it can serve as the catalyst for spiritual growth. We discuss the contrasting approaches of the church and the world to anxiety, with prayer as the church's method of elimination and prescription as the world's solution. Curtis offers a mindset switch that invites us to see anxiety not as a sign of distance from Christ, but as an invitation to step closer to Him. Tune in for a transformative perspective on anxiety that could change the way you experience your faith.

Curtis Chang is a consulting professor in innovation and organization at Duke Divinity School and a senior fellow at Fuller Theological Seminary. He is also a faculty member at American University. Curtis has a distinguished background in social innovation, having won an Obama White House award as the founder and head of Consulting Within Reach, a firm dedicated to serving nonprofits and government. His work bridges the worlds of faith, leadership, and mental health, focusing on how spiritual growth can be integrated with personal transformation. Curtis is the author of Engaging Unbelief: A Captivating Strategy from Augustine and Aquinas (IVP) and is a former Rockefeller Fellow. Known for his thoughtful and transformative approach to anxiety, he encourages individuals to view their struggles not as barriers, but as opportunities to grow closer to Jesus.

Check out Dr. Chang's book below:

Anxiety Opportunity

Also listen to his podcast here:

The good faith podcast

Find out more about Dr. Chang’s work on his website:

Redeeming Babble