Fear is a Giant
Fear and Anxiety
Fear is like an unseen giant. It looms over us, yet it cannot be seen, and often whatever we are afraid of is invisible.
Fear brings,
“What if I cannot be enough for my kids?”
“What if I get sick and I cannot take care of my needs?”
“What if I make the wrong decision?”
When we have lost someone close to us, we know all too well that bad things can happen. It is reasonable to wonder what will happen next. Living in a relentless cycle of anxiety can be exhausting.
Three things that you can do to alleviate anxiety.
Bring your thoughts back to reality. What is happening currently? Don’t let your mind go into the future with, “What if”. The Apostle Paul gives a list of things to think on in Philippians 4:8-9. He says to think about things that are:
True
Honorable
Just
Pure
Lovely
Commendable
Excellent
Praise Worthy.
When you feel yourself anxious over something, ask yourself,
“Is this true?”
If it is then,
“Is this honorable?”.
If yes then you have two out of eight,
but if you ask,
“Is this just?”
and the answer is,
“No.”
then the thought must go.
Replace it with thoughts that meet all of the criteria.
If you are thinking that it is not always that easy, believe me, I know.
God doesn’t give us a list of do’s and don’ts so that we can apply them and move on.
It would be great if life were that simple, but reality is, it is not.
Fear can feel like a giant.
If it’s just not something that you can overcome then find other sources of help like a trusted friend, a counselor or your pastor.
But I promised you three ways that you could minimize anxiety.
Did you know that there is research that shows that exercising lowers anxiety? When we are experiencing stress, which can be produced by anxiety, then our brain releases hormones, which allow us to experience negative emotions.
These hormones include adrenaline and cortisol, but exercise allows our body to reabsorb these negative hormones, and it allows us to release positive hormones, which create positive emotions.
Perhaps, you don’t feel like you are in shape enough to exercise, but you could probably take a walk.
Journal. Here is how:
When you are feeling anxious:
Write down the scenario that you are in when the anxiety comes.
Where are you?
Who are you with?
What are your thoughts?
What emotions are your experiencing?
Where do you feel anxious in your body?
Now look back at your thoughts.
Are they true? If they are not, then circle the lie or myth and put a big line through it.
Now write what is true.
It is often shocking what we are telling ourselves that is completely untrue. Perhaps, we were taught or told these lies as children or in significant adult relationships. Regardless, of where the myth came from change it to what is true.
Perhaps, these things will help and you will be able to move forward without anxiety as a constant in your life, but if you cannot then find help. Living with a pattern of anxiety constantly can be detrimental, so take care of yourself.