What, Me Worry?
10 ways you can beat worry now (from Maggie - PRAY, FIRST !!)
By Heather E. SchwartzAlbany, New York
We all have a little anxiety at times. Here are some ways of dealing with it: (from Maggie - I added the scriptures)
1. Visualize a good day in detail each morning.
Each night, review 10 successes. "Worriers tend to remember their failures rather than their successes," notes Helene. "Acknowledge success. Tell someone, write it down." (Psalm 90:17 - "And may the Lord our God show us His approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!")
2. Make a list of your worries.
Allow yourself a short period each day to stress. When the time is up, quit worrying and move on. (Job 11:16 - "You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away.")
3. Grade your anxiety on a scale of one to 10.
See how the number drops as you continue to face situations? Worry is manageable. (Ecclesiastes 2:22-24 - "So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety? Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless. So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God.")
4. Focus on the world around you. (from Maggie --- Look at only God's creations of beauty)
Notice the sights, sounds and smells. Connecting with nature can be a real nerve soother. (Psalm 96:6 - "Honor and majesty surround Him; strength and beauty fill His sanctuary.")
5. Act as if.
Even when you feel bad, choose to imagine the best and act as if you feel good. (Hebrews 11:29 - "It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground.")
6. Wear a rubber band on your wrist.
Whenever a negative thought takes hold, literally snap yourself out of it. (Ephesians 5:14 - "for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, 'Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light'.")
7. Do a reality check.
Is what you're worried about likely to happen? Probably not, so get out of your head and involved in the moment. (Matthew 6:34 -
Think more realistically, using words like sometimes and maybe. (Psalm 30:5 - ".....Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.")
9. Keep your body healthy.
Get enough sleep, eat right, exercise regularly and limit your caffeine intake to reduce susceptibility to anxiety. (1Corinthians 6:19 - "Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, Who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself")
10. Be your own coach.
Fill your mind with encouraging thoughts. Magnify the positive, minimize the negative and remind yourself you can handle even the worst situation. (Isaiah 41:10 - "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.")
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