How to cope with Anxious Thoughts
This morning I woke up with the song “in over my head – crash over me ” by Jenn Johnson
In Over My Head - Jenn Johnson
I'm standing knee deep
But I'm out where I've never been
I feel you coming
And I hear your voice on the wind
Would you come and tear down the boxes
That I have tried to put you in
Let love come teach me who you are again
Take me back to the place
Where my heart was only about you
And all I wanted was just to be with you
Come and do whatever you want to
These lyrics we’re playing loudly in my subconscious.
I don’t know about you but entering into the New Year has brought new added pressures and fears. Stresses that have been lying dormant. Am I going to make It this year? What if I don’t reach my goals? What if a fail. What if everything I’ve built is for nothing.
I realized my thoughts were causing the deepest fears in my mind to come alive – leaving me with riddling anxiety and “fear” of the future. I realized the more fears came – the more I ran away from God and ran towards things I could make sense of. I felt my heart slowly pulling away from God and closer to these fears. Leading me into a spiral of control in my mind. “If I can control my job, relationships, health, then I am okay.”
Whenever I think about fear – the Lord leads me to the passage in scripture about the Proverbs 31 woman who claims to have no fear of the future – “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” – Proverbs 31:25. How do we be more like her? More assured that God has it and is actually in control of our lives?
Over the past few days I realized that anytime my mind tried to make sense of something I was putting an outcome before my current reality. I was running before God instead of walking with Him (daily). Trusting that He is the one that establishes our steps [Proverbs 16]. My mind was meditating on things of this world, instead of putting God at the center of my thoughts.
If you are someone who experiences anxiety – I pray that these words and methods help you refocus yourself on the truth of who God is and what He wants for your life.
1). DO NOT MAKE PEOPLE LORD OVER YOUR LIFE – JESUS IS IN CONTROL.
Seek for the kingdom of God and all else will be added. (Matthew 6:33)
2). FOCUS ON THE GOOD – WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8
3). SEEK PRAYER + COMMUNITY
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
LASTLY!
Do you. We live in a world that is constantly telling you to be someone else - etc. The best thing you can do - is live according to the word of God and let Him direct your steps.
Please reach out if you have any questions!