Help for Anxiety

If you are feeling anxious you may not even know what is causing your feelings of uneasiness, discomfort, or apprehension. Recognizing what you are concerned about may not be part of this emotion. You could also be experiencing a sense of panic or engage in obsessive/compulsive behavior. This can be a terrifying emotion.

Worry is different in that you can identify a situation, or a person and you overthink, brood, or dwell on what might happen with either. You have a particular or a potential problem or you’re waiting for an outcome of something you are expecting to happen in the future. You are worried about end results that haven’t happened yet. You are overconcerned or even frightened. This too can be a very scary emotion.

A helpful way to help eliminate negative thoughts is to replace them with Biblical truth.  Repeating Jeremiah 29, verse 11 is very helpful.

“For I know the plans I have for you,

declares the LORD,

plans to prosper you

and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope

and a future.”

Read those words slowly as you take deep breaths in and out. Then say each one out loud. Start from the bottom and read up:

“Plans to give you hope and a future.”

“Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.”

“For I know the plans I have for you.”

“Declares the Lord.”

Now reverse the order of your reading and read from top to bottom. Continue to read, top to bottom, bottom to top, for as long as possible. Write and keep God’s promises with you. Post them in plain sight. Read them again when your feelings of anxiety or worry start to creep back in. Breathe.