Some people feel guilty about their anxieties and regard them as

Opening Scene – Narrated by Host

The room was dimly lit by the soft glow of the lamp, casting gentle shadows on the walls. Jack sat in the armchair, a book open in his lap, but his attention was far from the pages in front of him. The evening was quiet, save for the distant sounds of the world outside—footsteps on the sidewalk, a car passing by—but Jack’s mind was caught in a swirl of thoughts, each one pulling him deeper into reflection.

Jeeny entered the room, her footsteps light, and paused as she saw Jack staring into space, the book still resting unopened on his lap. She quietly set down her cup of tea beside him and sat down across from him, her eyes gentle with curiosity.

Jeeny: “You seem lost in thought. What’s on your mind?”

Jack blinked, returning from his thoughts, and gave her a small smile. He took a deep breath, as though gathering his thoughts, before speaking.

Jack: “I was reading something by C. S. Lewis, and it really struck me. He said, ‘Some people feel guilty about their anxieties and regard them as a defect of faith but they are afflictions, not sins. Like all afflictions, they are, if we can so take them, our share in the passion of Christ.’ It made me realize how often people feel guilty for their anxiety, thinking of it as a failure, like they’ve somehow failed in their faith. But what if it’s not a defect or a weakness? What if it’s just part of the human experience, something we need to accept and understand?”

Jeeny paused, her fingers gently wrapping around her tea cup as she processed his words. She looked at Jack, her expression softening.

Jeeny: “It’s such a profound way of thinking about anxiety. So often, people associate it with weakness or a lack of faith, but what if it’s actually an affliction, something beyond our control? We wouldn’t feel guilty for a physical illness, right? So why should we feel guilty for mental or emotional struggles?”

Jack: “Exactly. And I think it’s because society has created this idea that anxiety is something to be ashamed of, something that shows we’re not strong enough, not faithful enough. But C. S. Lewis’s words suggest that anxiety is an affliction, just like any physical ailment. It’s part of the human condition, and in a way, it can be a way to connect with a deeper sense of suffering, one that unites us with others.”

Host: The room seemed to settle into a peaceful quiet as Jack and Jeeny contemplated the meaning of Lewis’s words. Anxiety, often seen as a sign of weakness or failure, was reframed as an affliction, something that could be endured and understood rather than something to be ashamed of. It wasn’t a flaw; it was part of the struggle of life, a shared experience that connected people on a deeper level.

Jeeny: “And I think that’s the key, isn’t it? By seeing our anxieties as part of our shared human experience, we stop isolating ourselves. We begin to understand that we’re not alone in our suffering, and that it’s okay to have those moments of vulnerability. In fact, they make us more human, more connected to others and to the larger struggles of the world.”

Jack: “Yes, exactly. It’s like the idea that, by experiencing anxiety or fear, we share in a deeper kind of empathy. It’s not a sin or a defect—it’s an affliction we can take as part of our journey. Just as Christ experienced suffering, we too experience these afflictions, and in that shared suffering, we find our common humanity.”

Jeeny: “It makes the idea of faith and suffering a little easier to bear, doesn’t it? Instead of thinking of anxiety or struggle as something that pulls us away from faith, we can see it as something that draws us closer to understanding, to compassion. It doesn’t diminish our worth—it’s a part of our experience.”

Host: The words seemed to resonate between them, creating a deeper understanding of how anxiety and other emotional struggles could be reframed. It wasn’t something to be hidden or ashamed of. Instead, it was something to be acknowledged, accepted, and understood—an affliction that connected people, that shaped them, and that, in some mysterious way, aligned them with the shared human journey.

Jack: “I think what I’m understanding is that anxiety, and struggles like it, don’t define us or make us less faithful. They’re just part of our journey. And by accepting them as part of the human condition, we can find strength in that acceptance, in the shared experience of suffering.”

Jeeny: “And in that strength, we can connect with others, with the larger story of humanity. It doesn’t make us weaker; it makes us more compassionate, more understanding. We can be there for others in their suffering because we’ve experienced it too.”

Climax and Reconciliation

Jack leaned back, the weight of the conversation settling over him like a soft revelation. He understood now that anxiety wasn’t something to be ashamed of, but an affliction—something to be faced with compassion, both for oneself and for others. It was a part of the human experience, one that could bring people together, deepen their understanding, and, in some way, offer a shared connection in the midst of suffering.

Jack: “I see it now. It’s not about avoiding anxiety or pretending it doesn’t exist—it’s about accepting it, understanding it as part of our journey. And in that acceptance, we can find empathy, connection, and strength.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. And in that, we also find our shared humanity. We’re all going through something, and by recognizing our afflictions—whether it’s anxiety, fear, or anything else—we can support each other, lift each other up, and walk through it together.”

Host: The room seemed quieter now, filled with a new sense of peace. Outside, the world continued its rhythm, but inside, Jack and Jeeny had found a deep understanding. Anxiety, like any affliction, wasn’t a sign of failure. It was part of the shared human condition, a place where people could connect, find empathy, and draw strength from each other. In the end, it was through accepting their struggles that they could find healing, compassion, and a deeper connection to the world around them.