God and anxiety

[Hmm]

I'm in the middle of moving house at the moment, lots of things are going wrong and it's becoming pretty stressful. I'm trying to think how I can use my faith to help me and wondered if anyone has any practical tips or advice to offer? It would certainly be appreciated

I found a few Bible verses that speak about anxiety:

Philippians 4:6-7, “In nothing be anxious; 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.”

And Philippians 4:8-9 which tells us to practice awareness of our thoughts and take them captive:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you”

Would anyone like to share how they deal with anxiety?

Edited as accidentally omitted the first part of Philippians 4:6

 

[public hermit]

I use the Jesus prayer. Shut down intrusive thoughts at their root.

 

[Aussie Pete]

I'm in the middle of moving house at the moment, lots of things are going wrong and it's becoming pretty stressful. I'm trying to think how I can use my faith to help me and wondered if anyone has any practical tips or advice to offer? It would certainly be appreciated

I found a few Bible verses that speak about anxiety:

Philippians 4:6-7, “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 your minds in Christ Jesus.”

And Philippians 4:8-9 which tells us to practice awareness of our thoughts and take them captive:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you”

Would anyone like to share how they deal with anxiety?

Yes. About 4 weeks ago I was seriously ill in hospital. It was no fun but I had a sense of God's presence. I could hardly pray. Hospitals are noisy, the care is necessarily intrusive (I was like a porcupine in reverse) and the Corona restrictions severely limited visitors. I had not one moment of fear. I've learned to trust in the Lord and not rely on my understanding.

We need to commit everything to God, even mundane things like packing up to move. I ran out of toothpaste in hospital. The Lord reminded me that there was a mouthwash that I could use instead. And yes, the hospital had that. We need to cast our care on He who cares for us. Stress is when we are trying to work things out on our own. Peace comes when we depend on God to get us through.

 

[Hmm]

I use the Jesus prayer. Shut down intrusive thoughts at their root.

Okay thanks. The Jesus prayer is:

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

 

[Hmm]

Yes. About 4 weeks ago I was seriously ill in hospital. It was no fun but I had a sense of God's presence. I could hardly pray. Hospitals are noisy, the care is necessarily intrusive (I was like a porcupine in reverse) and the Corona restrictions severely limited visitors. I had not one moment of fear. I've learned to trust in the Lord and not rely on my understanding.

We need to commit everything to God, even mundane things like packing up to move. I ran out of toothpaste in hospital. The Lord reminded me that there was a mouthwash that I could use instead. And yes, the hospital had that. We need to cast our care on He who cares for us. Stress is when we are trying to work things out on our own. Peace comes when we depend on God to get us through.

Fantastic reply. I hope you're fully recovered.

 

[public hermit]

Okay thanks. The Jesus prayer is:

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

Yes. I generally use the abbreviated version: "Lord Jesus, have mercy" whatever works best for you.

I have been using it for years and at this point it almost immediately shuts down the committee in my mind.

 

[Hmm]

I remember something Rabbi Lionel Blue once said which was that he would mentally wrap all his troubles and cares into a ball and toss it to God saying "Catch!"

 

[Hazelelponi]

I'm in the middle of moving house at the moment, lots of things are going wrong and it's becoming pretty stressful. I'm trying to think how I can use my faith to help me and wondered if anyone has any practical tips or advice to offer? It would certainly be appreciated

I found a few Bible verses that speak about anxiety:

Philippians 4:6-7, “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 your minds in Christ Jesus.”

And Philippians 4:8-9 which tells us to practice awareness of our thoughts and take them captive:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you”

Would anyone like to share how they deal with anxiety?

The thing about stress is that it's just in your mind, your thoughts... it's the whole what-if I don't x and x and x...

What I have to do when I feel stressed is just center myself on the immediate - what can I do right now in this moment, and place the rest, what I can't do, in God's Hand...

That at times needs to be conscious thought, placing what you can't do and all the what ifs in God's hand, so every time you start feeling overwhelmed just do that. Just say God, I'm doing what I can and giving what I can't to you.

Don't expect your idea of perfection, but God helps us with our stress, and makes it all work out just fine in the end. Hang onto that, and periodically let go of your own ideas of perfection, and just do what you can right now and hand the rest over to Him.

 

[Hmm]

Yes. I generally use the abbreviated version: "Lord Jesus, have mercy" whatever works best for you.

I have been using it for years and at this point it almost immediately shuts down the committee in my mind.

I think I prefer the short version too. It's amazing that it works almost immediately for you now after all your meditative practice.

 

[Brightmoon]

Yoga helps (if you don’t have a superstitious fear of it ) . It tends to focus you on what your body is doing so you don’t get either too tired, hungry ,or stressed

 

[Hmm]

Just say God, I'm doing what I can and giving what I can't to you.

Don't expect your idea of perfection, but God helps us with our stress, and makes it all work out just fine in the end. Hang onto that, and periodically let go of your own ideas of perfection, and just do what you can right now and hand the rest over to Him.

Great thoughts (as was the rest of your post too!), thanks.

 

[Hmm]

Yoga helps (if you don’t have a superstitious fear of it ) . It tends to focus you on what your body is doing so you don’t get either too tired, hungry ,or stressed

Yoga has always been something that I wish I did!

 

[Brightmoon]

They have YouTube videos on how to do the yoga positions . But it’s the mindfulness that takes time. You have to be aware of what your body is doing .

 

[Aussie Pete]

Fantastic reply. I hope you're fully recovered.

I'm fine now, just a bit low on energy.

 

[Hmm]

They have YouTube videos on how to do the yoga positions . But it’s the mindfulness that takes time. You have to be aware of what your body is doing .

Yes. As I understand it, the mental benefit comes from being mindful of the position and movement of your body and breathing. I don't know if you're aware of Jon Kabat-Zinn but he's a great writer and talker about mindfulness.

 

[NerdGirl]

I'm in the middle of moving house at the moment, lots of things are going wrong and it's becoming pretty stressful. I'm trying to think how I can use my faith to help me and wondered if anyone has any practical tips or advice to offer? It would certainly be appreciated

I found a few Bible verses that speak about anxiety:

Philippians 4:6-7, “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 your minds in Christ Jesus.”

And Philippians 4:8-9 which tells us to practice awareness of our thoughts and take them captive:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you”

Would anyone like to share how they deal with anxiety?

There's a big and crucial difference between "feeling anxious" and clinical anxiety. I assume it's the former we're talking about here, so I'll stick with that!

I moved recently as well, and it included a major life change, so I can absolutely relate to the stress and worry and feelings of being overwhelmed and "how am I going to do all of this?!"

Some comforting verses that God is with you no matter where you make your home

Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.

Exodus 33:14 And the LORD answered, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

 

[Hmm]

There's a big and crucial difference between "feeling anxious" and clinic anxiety. I assume it's the former we're talking about here, so I'll stick with that!

Yes, it's not clinical anxiety, at least not yet!

And thanks for the verses. They are very comforting and encouraging.

 

[NerdGirl]

Yes. I generally use the abbreviated version: "Lord Jesus, have mercy" whatever works best for you.

I have been using it for years and at this point it almost immediately shuts down the committee in my mind.

I need to try this. My mind feels like a bottomless pit of clutter most of the time.

 

[NerdGirl]

I remember something Rabbi Lionel Blue once said which was that he would mentally wrap all his troubles and cares into a ball and toss it to God saying "Catch!"

I do this sometimes, too. I try to picture myself holding whatever the burden is, and handing it over to Jesus, and watching my hands let go of it.

 

[NerdGirl]

Yes, it's not clinical anxiety, at least not yet!

And thanks for the verses. They are very comforting and encouraging.

Then in Jesus' name, it will NOT become so!

You're so welcome. I have a lifetime's experience with worry and anxiety lol.