Anxious Thoughts

Anxiety

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” — Aristotle

If you know how to worry, you know how to meditate. This jewel of a statement says it all. However, it’s difficult! Some may need professional help for an anxiety disorder, the disorder of today. It is one of my most difficult challenges and the answer is simple but so tough to implement.

Slow down. Talk to yourself as a dear friend. Identify the judgmental parent, teacher, neighbor or boss in your head. They need to go! It’s very eye-opening to learn the voice in our head is the problem much more often than a person.

Back to this moment. Live in today. If you need help, seek it.  Slowing down and praying is an excellent way to find an empathetic and wise person.  We need support to release the tension with affection and understanding.

Pray. Ask. Thank. But the heart beats so fast and the mind is shooting static! Our emotions explode. Sometimes anger is involved, guilt for a perceived wrong, and anxiety over the possible outcomes. Our Father is in the future and in the moment.

Self-compassion. The Father knows our limits and is eager to help and stretch them. If he is compassionate toward us, shouldn’t we be? Is the voice in my head shutting out the voice of His Spirit who prays with groanings too deep for words? Take a bit of heat off yourself. This world is challenging, yet His Son took this world as it is so he can help us. The Psalms teach us self-compassion with hope. 1 John demonstrates the full love of the Father, which eases the anxiety. Loved people are anxious at times, but not as often or as intensely because they have a Helper.

Musings

As long as we’re on planet Earth, anxiety will visit and pour doubt all over us. The Accuser loves to use discouragement, anxiety, guilt, shame, fear and hopelessness. He is the Father of Lies using a speck of truth within lies to bring condemnation to our life. When anxious, remember the Father of Lies knows the Word better than we do and perverts it to keep us imprisoned. Jesus has freed us from prison. “And it came to pass…”

Prayer

Dear Father,

We know anxiety has been troubling people since Adam and Eve. It paralyzes and lies to us like a whirlwind! But the still, small voice that cuts through the whirlwind is Your way of helping and rescuing us. We’ve experienced this many times without condemnation or abandonment. Thank you.

Amen.