Limiting Anxious Feelings

[rizen1]

Limiting Anxious Feelings
Neil Anderson

February 9

1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Cast all your anxiety on Him [God] because He cares for you


Let's assume you have sought God's will for a certain direction, and you believe that He has led you to make specific plans. The problem is you are still worried about whether your plans will come about as you have hoped. When I'm facing such situations, I try to follow the six steps described below to limit my anxious feelings.

First, state the problem . A problem well stated is half solved. In anxious states of mind, people can't see the forest for the trees. Put the problem in perspective. Will it matter for eternity? The danger at this juncture is to seek ungodly counsel. The world is glutted with magicians and sorcerers who will promise incredible results. Their appearance may be striking. Their personality may be charming. But they are bankrupt of character. Avoid them (Psalm 1:1).

Second, separate the facts from the assumptions . Since we don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, we make assumptions, and we usually assume the worst. If the assumption is accepted as truth, it will drive your mind to its anxiety limits. Therefore, you must separate assumptions from facts.

Third, determine what you have the right or ability to control . You are responsible for that which you can control, and you are not responsible for that which you can't. Don't try to cast your responsibility onto Christ; He will throw it back.

Fourth, list everything you can do which is related to the situation that is under your responsibility . When people don't assume their responsibility, they turn to temporary cures for their anxiety, like eating, TV, sex or drugs.

Fifth, once you are sure you have fulfilled your responsibility, see if there is any way you can help others . Turning your attention away from your own self-absorption and onto helping people around you is not only the loving thing to do, but it also brings a special inner peace.

Sixth, the rest is God's responsibility , except for your prayer, according to Philippians 4:6-8. So assume your responsibility, but cast your anxiety on Christ.

Prayer:

Lord, help me recognize the difference between today's responsibilities and anxieties, then put them in their proper places.

 

[Ann]

This is great advise I copied this and will surely use it in future.

Thanks a lot.:girl_hug:

 

[rizen1]

God bless you sister.

I'm being blessed by this thread right now.

love you God bless.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

One thing that helped me in this area was learning the futility of projecting how things will be in the future (tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, etc.). If I'm giving in to anxious feelings a lot, it's a sign that the things of this world may have become too important.

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." (The Serenity Prayer)

"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a while and then vanishes." (Jas 4:14)

SLE

 

[Yeshualives]

Thanks for posting this - I've just copied it as it's so helpful that it's step-by-step advice.

God bless,

Yeshualives

 

[Br. Bear]

Hi,

do you mind if I add a finish to this....

Seventh: Rest. Discover the great joy of trusting in the Lord with all your life, and the blessing of REST. Over and again the Lord tells us about rest, and in the case of being anxious, rest is so important. If you have been anxious, then your mind has been working hard, your heart also troubled and burdened...so REST in the Lord, for this completes the process He wants for us. In His rest, we find peace and we are refreshed to move on in victory over all that has been a problem to us.... so , remember that there is sanctity in Rest, and follow God, who told us to rest as He did on the seventh day.

Bless you,

Br. Bear

ps...rest and trust go together... and bring joy and peace...><>

 

[SpiritLedEd]

I just thought of another helpful Scripture, Psalm 23:4 - "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

SLE

 

[Br. Bear]

Comfort,

The word itself ushers in a longing for the soul. Jesus said very clearly He would send the Comforter.
Look at the word. Think about it's meaning. A place of rest. A place of peace. A place of contentment. All of which are a garden for joy.

Now look at Jesus, who promised to send the Comforter. The Prince of Peace, who leaves His joy and offers rest.

And the Comforter; the Spirit of Truth; the Holy Ghost. The very truth of God's love for everyone who will come to Him through Jesus Christ His Son. Holy and Faithful and True, who keeps all who trust in God in Jesus Christ the Lord.

Rest in Him.

Bless you,

Br. Bear

 

[Property Of God]

Thank you sister, You've always been a great help to us, This post will help me with dealing some of my current/present problems.

I'd like to comment on the praying part, prayers will always get you where you need to be, in Jesus's name.

God bless you.

 

[::PreciousinChrist::]

Dear all,

Thank you soooooo much for posting such amazing things to help out others in their faith. Especially those who have gone thru an experience before. I just needed all this so bad.

I am so happy that God led me here.

Praise God to Him who reigns forever with great love for us.

God BLess you abundantly

PRE

 

[Trishann]

And sometime we had to just put it in God's hand and trusting that His hands are over us.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Sometimes we don't understand the why's which in return causes anxieties, but that is when we trust the Lord. Sometimes at the end of the outcome, you can see how God worked it out.

God Bless, Trish

 

[HisFollower]

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful(i.e. anxious) and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Luke 10:38-42
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful(i.e. anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Phil 4:5-6
Therefore take no thought(i.e.do not worry or be anxious), saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Matt 6:31-34