Have you ever spent the night somewhere, like a hotel or maybe a relative's house at the holidays, and woke in the night? It's hard to sleep sometimes in an unfamiliar place...but even harder to try to maneuver around in the dark. I rarely sleep through the night, regardless of where I am. But, when I get up and try to find my way around in an unfamiliar room in the dark, I move very slowly. If you had night vision goggles, you would see me groping around, stumbling on things, running into furniture and walls and usually wounding myself. Not a graceful sight...I assure you!
But, in my own room, when nature or a child calls me out of my sweet slumber, I can get out of the bed without seeing a thing, and move freely and confidently throughout the room. I don't run into walls or stumble over furniture.
Why? Because I know my room. It's as if I have a picture of it in my mind. I have confidence because, for years, the dresser has been against the far wall, the door to the hall is to the left, the desk is to the right and the restroom door is straight ahead. It hasn't changed.
The other day, I was looking out the back door at what I knew would be one of the last sunny days of summer. (I appreciate something about every season that God has made, but I feel great when the sun is shining.) I looked up to the sky, and said, "God, why can't the sun shine everyday? You know how I struggle on the dreary days when I can't see the sun."
Now, I honestly did not expect a response...but He spoke to my spirit. "Danielle, look at things right now while the sun shining. Now, take a picture of that in your mind and save it. Now, on the days when darkness covers everything, and you can't see the sun, look at that picture and remember that nothing has changed in the dark. You just can't see it right now...but it's the same...I'm the same."
Wow!! Just because it looks different...doesn't mean it is different.
We can walk through the dark times just as easily as we walk through the good times, if we know Him. Because to know Him is to know that He never changes. To know Him is to know He never leaves or forsakes. To know Him is to know that He is merciful and longsuffering. To know Him is to know that nothing is too hard for Him. To know Him is to know that He ALWAYS has a plan that He is working for your good and His glory...no matter how many times you have failed Him.
We must long to know Him. We must study to know Him. Our faith is strengthened by hearing. How do we hear? Through the Word of God. (Romans 10:17)
Whether you realize or not, you have a picture of God in your mind. What is it based on? Your feelings, your circumstances, your past failed relationships? Or is it based on the Truth...found in His Word. Get to know Him. You will find yourself walking confidently through things, even when you can't see Him in them...because you know He never changes...even in the dark!
For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. (Proverbs 3:26)
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Prescription for Anxiety: Take as Directed Step 4
In the last post, we looked at Matthew 6:33, which told us to "Seek ye first..." We touched on getting our focus on God, but let's look at that in detail because if we are to have victory over anxiety, we must adjust our focus!
When we are focused on Him, He gets bigger and bigger in our eyes and our problems get smaller and smaller. Just like the hymn says, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace. That's not just a song you know...it's the truth!
Those of us who are experiencing anxiety, are most likely focusing on one or both of the following things: circumstances and/or self. Let's focus on our focus for one moment.
Circumstances:
There was a man named Peter. Matthew tells us about an experience Peter had and I think we can all identify with it. Most folks have heard of the familiar story found in chapter 14 of Matthew's gospel, where the disciples got into the boat and crossed to the other side of the sea. The clouds probably looked dark and suspicious when they started out, and before the evening ended, a terrible storm had brewed and was causing fear for even the experienced fisherman, Peter. The men looked out onto the water and saw something that frightened them as much as the storm...could it be a ghost? Of course, soon they would realize it was Jesus. Peter wanted to make sure it was Him, and not some spirit, so he asked Jesus if He would allow him to walk on the water too. "Come" Jesus replied and without a second thought, Peter hopped out of the boat and began to walk on the water! Well, you're probably thinking about now, "No, Danielle, I can't relate to this story. I have never walked on water." But hang on because we're getting to the good stuff....verse 30 tells us this: Peter was walking on the water..."But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me!"
So much packed into that one sentence!!!
First of all, I want you to notice the sequence of events: 1.) Peter focused on the storm (circumstances) instead of the Lord. 2.) He became afraid. 3.) He began to sink.
This is exactly what happens to us. We focus on the storms of bills, health problems, consequences of past mistakes, the decision that looms over us...on and on. Then we get afraid and what does fear and anxiety always lead to...depression. We sink into discouragement and depression. BUT!! What did Peter do when he started to sink? He cried to the Lord, save me! And verse 31 tells us: "and immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, why did you doubt?"
Wouldn't it be great if we could learn not to doubt? To keep our eyes focused on Him and walk over the stormy waves in our life?
I know this is what we all want, but when we do sink, He is always there...we can cry out to Him and He will save us. What a wonderful, gracious Savior!
Now, while we all struggle with doubt, we can learn to sink less and less, by purposely looking over the crashing waves and keeping Him in our focus!
Self:
We've already covered the importance of taking our thoughts into captivity. Let's go a little further with that and consider the tape recorder we all have playing over and over in our minds. What message is recorded on yours? Does it say, "Oh, you're so stupid...why did you say that?". Or maybe, "Everybody is talking about you and they all think you are ________". Maybe you hear something someone actually said to you that was hurtful or maybe you remember a past mistake and cringe. Whatever it is...it is focus on self and it is a form of pride. Eventually, if left unchecked, it will lead you to anxiety and depression.
Author Tim Hansel reports his findings after a study on self talk:
When we speak normally, we speak at a rate of 120 words per minute. But, our self talk (inner dialogue or tape recorder) is spoken at a rate of 1300 words per minute which adds up to 78,000 words per hour and 1,248,000 words per day...and this does not include the 8 hours we sleep. His findings show that 70 percent of all self talk is negative!!!! This should not be.
The truth is, the human brain can not think of two things at the same time...if we are spending this much time focused on self and negative thoughts, we most certainly are not meditating in His Word day and night.
The answer to the problem goes back to taking our thoughts into captivity and recording a different message on that tape recorder. We must be proactive in putting the right things in our mind and then choosing to over ride the negative with the positive. Quit listening to the father of lies...quit making his job so easy! Sometimes we are own worst enemy.
The Bible talks about this. Our own heart attacks us...you know the same heart that is deceitful above all things...the one that is desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). I John 3:20-21 says "For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. But if our heart condemns us not, then we have confidence toward God". The heart, in this sense, is referring to our "meditator"...the part of us that reasons things out and forms beliefs. You see, what we meditate on or think about over and over, determines what we believe. What we believe determines how we respond to the circumstances in life...and our responses are the vehicle that takes us where we will go. God wants us to have confidence in Him...not so we have a warm fuzzy feeling inside, but so that we can accomplish His purpose for our lives...so we can go far for His glory. Ephesians 3 talks about that purpose and it says He wants to do in us and for us, exceedingly and abundantly above what we could ask or think!
The truth is...most of us give up, or don't even try to fight against the discouraging and anxious thoughts...we don't want to do the work to have a disciplined thought life because we don't believe it is worth it. But it is worth it...it is! You don't have to take my word for it...take His Word for it! Focus on Him and you can and will experience peace.
The prescription for anxiety is peace. Remember: God has promised a different kind of peace...a peace that passes understanding! The world's "peace" offers immediate but temporary relief and is always followed by costly consequences and shame. God's way costs something up front, but is always followed by great reward.
He tell us in John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
When we are focused on Him, He gets bigger and bigger in our eyes and our problems get smaller and smaller. Just like the hymn says, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace. That's not just a song you know...it's the truth!
Those of us who are experiencing anxiety, are most likely focusing on one or both of the following things: circumstances and/or self. Let's focus on our focus for one moment.
Circumstances:
There was a man named Peter. Matthew tells us about an experience Peter had and I think we can all identify with it. Most folks have heard of the familiar story found in chapter 14 of Matthew's gospel, where the disciples got into the boat and crossed to the other side of the sea. The clouds probably looked dark and suspicious when they started out, and before the evening ended, a terrible storm had brewed and was causing fear for even the experienced fisherman, Peter. The men looked out onto the water and saw something that frightened them as much as the storm...could it be a ghost? Of course, soon they would realize it was Jesus. Peter wanted to make sure it was Him, and not some spirit, so he asked Jesus if He would allow him to walk on the water too. "Come" Jesus replied and without a second thought, Peter hopped out of the boat and began to walk on the water! Well, you're probably thinking about now, "No, Danielle, I can't relate to this story. I have never walked on water." But hang on because we're getting to the good stuff....verse 30 tells us this: Peter was walking on the water..."But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me!"
So much packed into that one sentence!!!
First of all, I want you to notice the sequence of events: 1.) Peter focused on the storm (circumstances) instead of the Lord. 2.) He became afraid. 3.) He began to sink.
This is exactly what happens to us. We focus on the storms of bills, health problems, consequences of past mistakes, the decision that looms over us...on and on. Then we get afraid and what does fear and anxiety always lead to...depression. We sink into discouragement and depression. BUT!! What did Peter do when he started to sink? He cried to the Lord, save me! And verse 31 tells us: "and immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, why did you doubt?"
Wouldn't it be great if we could learn not to doubt? To keep our eyes focused on Him and walk over the stormy waves in our life?
I know this is what we all want, but when we do sink, He is always there...we can cry out to Him and He will save us. What a wonderful, gracious Savior!
Now, while we all struggle with doubt, we can learn to sink less and less, by purposely looking over the crashing waves and keeping Him in our focus!
Self:
We've already covered the importance of taking our thoughts into captivity. Let's go a little further with that and consider the tape recorder we all have playing over and over in our minds. What message is recorded on yours? Does it say, "Oh, you're so stupid...why did you say that?". Or maybe, "Everybody is talking about you and they all think you are ________". Maybe you hear something someone actually said to you that was hurtful or maybe you remember a past mistake and cringe. Whatever it is...it is focus on self and it is a form of pride. Eventually, if left unchecked, it will lead you to anxiety and depression.
Author Tim Hansel reports his findings after a study on self talk:
When we speak normally, we speak at a rate of 120 words per minute. But, our self talk (inner dialogue or tape recorder) is spoken at a rate of 1300 words per minute which adds up to 78,000 words per hour and 1,248,000 words per day...and this does not include the 8 hours we sleep. His findings show that 70 percent of all self talk is negative!!!! This should not be.
The truth is, the human brain can not think of two things at the same time...if we are spending this much time focused on self and negative thoughts, we most certainly are not meditating in His Word day and night.
The answer to the problem goes back to taking our thoughts into captivity and recording a different message on that tape recorder. We must be proactive in putting the right things in our mind and then choosing to over ride the negative with the positive. Quit listening to the father of lies...quit making his job so easy! Sometimes we are own worst enemy.
The Bible talks about this. Our own heart attacks us...you know the same heart that is deceitful above all things...the one that is desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). I John 3:20-21 says "For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. But if our heart condemns us not, then we have confidence toward God". The heart, in this sense, is referring to our "meditator"...the part of us that reasons things out and forms beliefs. You see, what we meditate on or think about over and over, determines what we believe. What we believe determines how we respond to the circumstances in life...and our responses are the vehicle that takes us where we will go. God wants us to have confidence in Him...not so we have a warm fuzzy feeling inside, but so that we can accomplish His purpose for our lives...so we can go far for His glory. Ephesians 3 talks about that purpose and it says He wants to do in us and for us, exceedingly and abundantly above what we could ask or think!
The truth is...most of us give up, or don't even try to fight against the discouraging and anxious thoughts...we don't want to do the work to have a disciplined thought life because we don't believe it is worth it. But it is worth it...it is! You don't have to take my word for it...take His Word for it! Focus on Him and you can and will experience peace.
The prescription for anxiety is peace. Remember: God has promised a different kind of peace...a peace that passes understanding! The world's "peace" offers immediate but temporary relief and is always followed by costly consequences and shame. God's way costs something up front, but is always followed by great reward.
He tell us in John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Prescription for Anxiety: Take as Directed Step 3
In the first blog, we discovered that peace is freedom from disquieting and oppressive thoughts. Peace is the prescription, the cure in fact, for anxiety. Each blog in this series has been a step for obtaining peace. Let's look at a verse that will help us with Step 3...Isaiah 26:3 says, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You: because he trusts You."
There it is again...a mind fixed on God and godly thoughts will have peace. If you feel anxious, you automatically know your mind is not stayed on God. But there is a second part introduced here. Trust.
We must learn to trust Him.
When I was first coming out of the pit, I was so overwhelmed. I really didn't know where to start first. I thought, if God would just remove these difficult circumstances, I would be happy and trust Him. But God did not wave a magic wand and fix everything. As I was crying out to Him and asking Him what to do first, He led me to Matthew 6:33. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Think about that and read it again!!!
He was actually saying to me, "Danielle, here's what you do first. You get your mind focused on me. You seek me and my righteousness, and I will take care of all these things you are worried about." I was SO excited. So, I went back and read the verses before to find out what things would be added unto me...in verse 31 it said what I would eat, drink and wear...in fact all things I was in need of...were the things God would take care of. It said He knows what things I am in need of...He's just waiting for me to focus on Him. After all, as verse 26 and 28 says, He does that for the birds and the flowers and we are more important to God than those things. Haven't you ever noticed that the birds always have a song...it's because they aren't worried about their next meal. They are not worried about anything. They know their Creator is going to provide. Getting our mind off of our problems and needs, and getting them focused on God, will bring peace. But it takes us trusting Him.
But there is more...Matthew 6:34 says this, "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."
This verse is a warning...a warning against looking too far down the road and trying to handle tomorrow's problems with only today's grace. Listen...Looking too far down the road overwhelms us and causes anxiety and depression.
I remember waking up in the mornings in those early days of coming out of the pit, and feeling this dread that would beat me back down into the bed. I would think about the day ahead or the weeks ahead, and I just felt overwhelmed and hopeless. I was defeated before I got started in the day. Well guess what!! I didn't know it at that time, but I didn't have to try to handle tomorrow's problems today, because I get new grace, mercy and compassion from the Lord tomorrow to handle tomorrow's problems. In fact, we all do...we all get new mercies every single morning! And when we recall that, we have hope. Just like Lamentations 3:21-22 says, "This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness."
So, to summarize Step 3...First things first! First, seek Him and His righteousness. Then, don't look too far down the road trying to handle tomorrow's problems with only today's grace. Instead, trust Him to take care of your needs which includes new grace for the day's difficulties.
When we TRULY believe that He is working every single thing together for our good, we can rejoice in the face of hard times...this is where trust begins. Believing that God is able and even desires to do a great work in us. And it really helps in the dark times to remember that God's Word promises that all things are only for a season. It may seem like there is no end to the suffering, but God says, "I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jeremiah 29:11)
And I didn't plan to say this...but let me tell you what was the most freeing moment in my life. It was when my pastor said, God made the game and He made the rules the game is played by. He is God and you are not. In that moment, instead of being angry at God for the past and present pain or resisting God's authority in my life, I surrendered. Peace flooded...literally flooded till I felt it physically fill my whole body. Sweet surrender! I began to trust Him in that moment and it was a step out of the pit!
Step 3 to peace is Learn to Trust God! Watch for Step 4 in the next blog.
There it is again...a mind fixed on God and godly thoughts will have peace. If you feel anxious, you automatically know your mind is not stayed on God. But there is a second part introduced here. Trust.
We must learn to trust Him.
When I was first coming out of the pit, I was so overwhelmed. I really didn't know where to start first. I thought, if God would just remove these difficult circumstances, I would be happy and trust Him. But God did not wave a magic wand and fix everything. As I was crying out to Him and asking Him what to do first, He led me to Matthew 6:33. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Think about that and read it again!!!
He was actually saying to me, "Danielle, here's what you do first. You get your mind focused on me. You seek me and my righteousness, and I will take care of all these things you are worried about." I was SO excited. So, I went back and read the verses before to find out what things would be added unto me...in verse 31 it said what I would eat, drink and wear...in fact all things I was in need of...were the things God would take care of. It said He knows what things I am in need of...He's just waiting for me to focus on Him. After all, as verse 26 and 28 says, He does that for the birds and the flowers and we are more important to God than those things. Haven't you ever noticed that the birds always have a song...it's because they aren't worried about their next meal. They are not worried about anything. They know their Creator is going to provide. Getting our mind off of our problems and needs, and getting them focused on God, will bring peace. But it takes us trusting Him.
But there is more...Matthew 6:34 says this, "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."
This verse is a warning...a warning against looking too far down the road and trying to handle tomorrow's problems with only today's grace. Listen...Looking too far down the road overwhelms us and causes anxiety and depression.
I remember waking up in the mornings in those early days of coming out of the pit, and feeling this dread that would beat me back down into the bed. I would think about the day ahead or the weeks ahead, and I just felt overwhelmed and hopeless. I was defeated before I got started in the day. Well guess what!! I didn't know it at that time, but I didn't have to try to handle tomorrow's problems today, because I get new grace, mercy and compassion from the Lord tomorrow to handle tomorrow's problems. In fact, we all do...we all get new mercies every single morning! And when we recall that, we have hope. Just like Lamentations 3:21-22 says, "This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness."
So, to summarize Step 3...First things first! First, seek Him and His righteousness. Then, don't look too far down the road trying to handle tomorrow's problems with only today's grace. Instead, trust Him to take care of your needs which includes new grace for the day's difficulties.
When we TRULY believe that He is working every single thing together for our good, we can rejoice in the face of hard times...this is where trust begins. Believing that God is able and even desires to do a great work in us. And it really helps in the dark times to remember that God's Word promises that all things are only for a season. It may seem like there is no end to the suffering, but God says, "I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jeremiah 29:11)
And I didn't plan to say this...but let me tell you what was the most freeing moment in my life. It was when my pastor said, God made the game and He made the rules the game is played by. He is God and you are not. In that moment, instead of being angry at God for the past and present pain or resisting God's authority in my life, I surrendered. Peace flooded...literally flooded till I felt it physically fill my whole body. Sweet surrender! I began to trust Him in that moment and it was a step out of the pit!
Step 3 to peace is Learn to Trust God! Watch for Step 4 in the next blog.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Prescription for Anxiety: Take as Directed 2
Prescription for Anxiety: Take as Directed. Step 2
In the last blog, we talked about taking our thoughts into captivity and bringing them into obedience because our thoughts directly affect the way we feel emotionally and physically. We saw in God's Word the command to think on "these things". To make it a point to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. I want to encourage you to write out each of those words and even list some things that would fall into each category so you will be armed with ammunition against disobedient thoughts. Remember...this does not come naturally! Let me give you an example...I was facing some medical tests, and the enemy was putting all kinds of thoughts in my mind about what the results would be. "It's probably cancer...or something that will cost a lot of money to fix...you know you don't have insurance..." On and on the thoughts flowed until I was almost paralyzed with fear. God whispered, "Are you taking your thoughts into captivity...are you thinking on things of good report, Danielle?" I wasn't thinking on "these things"....I was thinking on things of bad report. When I went to the doctor for the results, it turned out to be nothing. But even if it was "something", all my worrying wouldn't have changed it...in fact, it most likely would have made another health problem. Most of us let thoughts invade...we treat them like a welcome guest. We feed them and entertain them and let them hang out till they take over the "household" so to speak. Let's make it a point to think about what we are thinking about.
This brings me to Step 2. Since thinking on "these things" does not come naturally, we must purposely put the right thoughts in our mind daily.
We have to renew our mind by getting in the Word. Doesn't this sound cliche'? Many of us have heard it so much, it just sounds like nothing more than Christian lingo. But Romans 12:2 tell us that we are transformed by the renewing of our mind. Now, this isn't a matter of just reading a chapter and checking it off our list. This is all about meditating. In fact, it is better to read one verse and really chew on it through the day, than to read a whole chapter of the Bible, slam the Bible shut and say...Done! Psalm 1:2 tells us that happy is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord and in the law (The Word) he meditates day and night. In other words, a person who wants to be happy puts "these things" in their mind daily and then thinks about it day and night.
Realize this. Depression and anxiety is bondage and every area of bondage in our lives is a result of a lie we believe. But the Truth will set us free. We must search the Truth (The Word) and replace the lies with the Truth. This is SO important....please do not just skim over this part. This IS the key...replace the lies with the truth!
Jesus wanted us to have peace...He said, "These things have I spoken unto you, that in me, ye might have peace" John 16:33. The things He spoke in His Word, he did so to give us peace! Psalm 119:165, "Great peace have they that love thy law (The Bible) and nothing shall offend them (cause them to stumble).
You see! There is peace and happiness to those who are willing to get in the Word, love the Word, and meditate on the Word.
So let's review...We are going to take our thoughts into captivity, and we are going to think on "these things" by renewing our mind and purposely putting the right kind of thoughts in our mind daily. We're going to replace the lies with the truth.
Watch for Step 3 in tomorrow's blog.
In the last blog, we talked about taking our thoughts into captivity and bringing them into obedience because our thoughts directly affect the way we feel emotionally and physically. We saw in God's Word the command to think on "these things". To make it a point to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. I want to encourage you to write out each of those words and even list some things that would fall into each category so you will be armed with ammunition against disobedient thoughts. Remember...this does not come naturally! Let me give you an example...I was facing some medical tests, and the enemy was putting all kinds of thoughts in my mind about what the results would be. "It's probably cancer...or something that will cost a lot of money to fix...you know you don't have insurance..." On and on the thoughts flowed until I was almost paralyzed with fear. God whispered, "Are you taking your thoughts into captivity...are you thinking on things of good report, Danielle?" I wasn't thinking on "these things"....I was thinking on things of bad report. When I went to the doctor for the results, it turned out to be nothing. But even if it was "something", all my worrying wouldn't have changed it...in fact, it most likely would have made another health problem. Most of us let thoughts invade...we treat them like a welcome guest. We feed them and entertain them and let them hang out till they take over the "household" so to speak. Let's make it a point to think about what we are thinking about.
This brings me to Step 2. Since thinking on "these things" does not come naturally, we must purposely put the right thoughts in our mind daily.
We have to renew our mind by getting in the Word. Doesn't this sound cliche'? Many of us have heard it so much, it just sounds like nothing more than Christian lingo. But Romans 12:2 tell us that we are transformed by the renewing of our mind. Now, this isn't a matter of just reading a chapter and checking it off our list. This is all about meditating. In fact, it is better to read one verse and really chew on it through the day, than to read a whole chapter of the Bible, slam the Bible shut and say...Done! Psalm 1:2 tells us that happy is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord and in the law (The Word) he meditates day and night. In other words, a person who wants to be happy puts "these things" in their mind daily and then thinks about it day and night.
Realize this. Depression and anxiety is bondage and every area of bondage in our lives is a result of a lie we believe. But the Truth will set us free. We must search the Truth (The Word) and replace the lies with the Truth. This is SO important....please do not just skim over this part. This IS the key...replace the lies with the truth!
Jesus wanted us to have peace...He said, "These things have I spoken unto you, that in me, ye might have peace" John 16:33. The things He spoke in His Word, he did so to give us peace! Psalm 119:165, "Great peace have they that love thy law (The Bible) and nothing shall offend them (cause them to stumble).
You see! There is peace and happiness to those who are willing to get in the Word, love the Word, and meditate on the Word.
So let's review...We are going to take our thoughts into captivity, and we are going to think on "these things" by renewing our mind and purposely putting the right kind of thoughts in our mind daily. We're going to replace the lies with the truth.
Watch for Step 3 in tomorrow's blog.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Prescription for Anxiety: Take As Directed Step 1
Peace! Isn't that what we all crave? There's a little peace of mind then there's a little piece of mind. There was a time in my life where I gave a little piece of my mind to everyone who crossed me...in fact, I gave away so many pieces, there isn't much left. But, what I really needed was a little PEACE of mind.
According to Webster's dictionary, peace is freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts. There are two words that strike me in that definition: the word freedom and the word thoughts. If peace is freedom in our thoughts, then it would stand to reason that anxiety is bondage in our thoughts. Have you ever stopped to think about what you're thinking about? Did you know that if you do not take your thoughts into captivity, your thoughts will take you into captivity?
According to the Bible, we are to be disciplined in our thought life. II Corinthians 10:5 says "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
I love to visualize things and when I read this verse, I think of a movie called Monsters, Inc. A silly kids movie, I know. But I always picture the scene where a monster just returned from a scare mission in a child's bedroom. He turned around and there on his back was a contaminate...do you remember what it was? A child's sock! Somehow, this was considered toxic to their environment, and everyone who saw it went into panic mode. A whole team came in and isolated the item. They covered it with some kind of dome, screwed it to the ground and detonated a bomb which blew it to smithereens!
Just like the sock in the monster's environment, contaminated thoughts can be toxic in the environment of our hearts and minds. We must take those thoughts into captivity and then give it what I call "the thought test". We find this "thought test" in Philippians 4:8. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if is praise worthy, think on "these things".
See how that verse is worded as a command? It is instructing us to be purposeful and make it a point to think on "these things". It takes practice...we are in the habit of negative thinking and we have to learn to develop healthy, godly thinking habits. And it's not good enough, when times are hard, to "check out" and pretend that things aren't bothering us or to try to ignore the issues. Anxious people think...There is no way I can pay all my bills this month...I'm too tired to do all of this... I'm too overwhelmed to tackle all that is before me...Nothing ever works out for me...This is bound to end in disaster. Happy, peaceful people think...My God shall supply all of my needs...I CAN do all things through Christ who gives me strength...He will establish my thoughts...I know He is working all things for my good.
You see...how we think affects the way we feel emotionally and how we feel emotionally affects the way we feel physically. You can actually convince yourself to be sick.
I remember a specific incident where I was standing in the shower crying out to God. I was overwhelmed in my heart and the tears I had cried could have filled the bathtub. I kept saying, "God, I can't do it! What you are asking of me is too hard. I just can't do it!" The Holy Spirit brought back the verse to my mind and it was like God said, "Danielle, quit saying I can't and start saying I CAN do it through Christ because He gives me strength!" I did say it and I believed it and do you know, He did give me the strength! What victory...what peace! Proverbs 4:23 says "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." This literally means, guard your thought life, (what you think about and meditate on) because this is the command center for everything in your life.
Step 1 to obtaining peace: Take your thoughts into captivity and make it a point to think on "these things" found in Philippians 4:8.
Watch for tomorrow's blog for Step 2.
According to Webster's dictionary, peace is freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts. There are two words that strike me in that definition: the word freedom and the word thoughts. If peace is freedom in our thoughts, then it would stand to reason that anxiety is bondage in our thoughts. Have you ever stopped to think about what you're thinking about? Did you know that if you do not take your thoughts into captivity, your thoughts will take you into captivity?
According to the Bible, we are to be disciplined in our thought life. II Corinthians 10:5 says "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
I love to visualize things and when I read this verse, I think of a movie called Monsters, Inc. A silly kids movie, I know. But I always picture the scene where a monster just returned from a scare mission in a child's bedroom. He turned around and there on his back was a contaminate...do you remember what it was? A child's sock! Somehow, this was considered toxic to their environment, and everyone who saw it went into panic mode. A whole team came in and isolated the item. They covered it with some kind of dome, screwed it to the ground and detonated a bomb which blew it to smithereens!
Just like the sock in the monster's environment, contaminated thoughts can be toxic in the environment of our hearts and minds. We must take those thoughts into captivity and then give it what I call "the thought test". We find this "thought test" in Philippians 4:8. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if is praise worthy, think on "these things".
See how that verse is worded as a command? It is instructing us to be purposeful and make it a point to think on "these things". It takes practice...we are in the habit of negative thinking and we have to learn to develop healthy, godly thinking habits. And it's not good enough, when times are hard, to "check out" and pretend that things aren't bothering us or to try to ignore the issues. Anxious people think...There is no way I can pay all my bills this month...I'm too tired to do all of this... I'm too overwhelmed to tackle all that is before me...Nothing ever works out for me...This is bound to end in disaster. Happy, peaceful people think...My God shall supply all of my needs...I CAN do all things through Christ who gives me strength...He will establish my thoughts...I know He is working all things for my good.
You see...how we think affects the way we feel emotionally and how we feel emotionally affects the way we feel physically. You can actually convince yourself to be sick.
I remember a specific incident where I was standing in the shower crying out to God. I was overwhelmed in my heart and the tears I had cried could have filled the bathtub. I kept saying, "God, I can't do it! What you are asking of me is too hard. I just can't do it!" The Holy Spirit brought back the verse to my mind and it was like God said, "Danielle, quit saying I can't and start saying I CAN do it through Christ because He gives me strength!" I did say it and I believed it and do you know, He did give me the strength! What victory...what peace! Proverbs 4:23 says "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." This literally means, guard your thought life, (what you think about and meditate on) because this is the command center for everything in your life.
Step 1 to obtaining peace: Take your thoughts into captivity and make it a point to think on "these things" found in Philippians 4:8.
Watch for tomorrow's blog for Step 2.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Journey Out Of The Pit
This blog was born from my own personal battle with anxiety and depression. There was a point in my life, a few years ago, that was so dark and so frightening, I really wasn't sure if I would survive or if I even wanted to. I tried many options based on advice from others such as medical professionals and even well-meaning Christians, but found little to no relief. It seemed I was caught in a pit of no hope, and was destined to live as a victim of circumstances. And as miserable as it was, I had grown weirdly comfortable with this familiar role...the self-proclaimed role of "lifetime victim". Just like the Children of Israel, I feared freedom...freedom from the bondage of a cruel and wicked ruler. I craved the familiar even though it was miserable.
Thankfully, God did not leave me there. "He brought me up also out of that horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my steps. He put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God..." Psalm 40:2-3. On the way up out of that pit, God taught me some very specific lessons and those are the things that I want to share with you. Things that I still use today when the enemy tries to take me hostage with fear and depression...things that really work! This is going to take a series of blogs, and I have decided to start by sharing a couple of things that DO NOT work...I've tried some of them numerous times, and I can tell you, they are not the cure. So, let's get started!
Almost always where you see one, you see the other: anxiety feeds depression and vise versa. Proverbs 12:25 tells us that "Heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop....". (Literally translated: Anxiety in the heart causes depression) So, what's the answer?
If we were playing the game show Jeopardy, and the answer was "Things that DO NOT work to fix anxiety and depression", the question would be:
What are the quick fix, focus on self, focus on others, and focus on sin, Alex?
These are four things that DO NOT work...let's talk about them in more detail.
The Quick Fix:
What does this mean? One thing I craved was relief. I wanted it now and with as little effort on my part as possible. I was exhausted and didn't want to get out of bed in the mornings, let alone do any work. So, I was on a quest for the quick and easy. If I could just swallow a pill and feel better, that would be the ticket! So, under the care of a doctor, I began taking several types of medication. Some for anxiety and some for depression. I was diagnosed with mood disorder and bipolar...I now had a label! I know these are real conditions, but for me, it was like being branded. Sealed into bondage in a sense. An excuse for spending 18 hours a day in the bed and not taking on any responsibilities for fear that I would have a bad day and let people down. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not against medication and in fact, I believe it can be used as a tool. But if you are looking for a quick and easy cure, you will find what I found...disappointment and emptiness. Let me make this very clear. I believe depression is real, I believe it manifests itself physically, and I believe medication can be a tool. But it is not the cure...even if you are medically bipolar, you still have an emptiness that can be filled with only one "thing"...God himself. I'm sure you have seen the commercials for the depression and anxiety medications that say "9 out of 10 people who are taking medication for depression or sadness still experience symptoms". This was true for me...I was medicated and numb, but still empty. It didn't fill the hole in my soul. There came a point when I had no doubt that God was directing me to stop depending on medication and to start depending on Him alone. That being said, I must insert a disclaimer here. If you are taking medication under the care of a physician, I do not recommend that you stop taking it unless you consult the physician and do so under their care and only if you are certain that God is leading you in such a way. Do not feel shame if you are at a place where you need this tool. There is a place for medical intervention and shame only intensifies anxiety and depression.
Let me sum it all up...Sometimes, medication is needed at as a tool to help with symptoms of depression and anxiety. In those times, we should be thankful that it is available and should not feel ashamed. But we should view it as a tool and not the cure because depression and anxiety are spiritual battles and will only be won with spiritual weapons...which I will share in detail in a future blog.
Focus On Self:
Okay, here's another thing I tried...I had several counselors who told me I had to learn to love myself. You need to take care of yourself first and focus on your needs right now. No one will love you if you don't love yourself. Just tell yourself, "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and dog-gone-it, I like myself!" Well let me tell you, focus on self does NOT work. Self centered people are not pleasant...they are miserable! We were not created to serve self...we were created to serve God and find acceptance in Him alone. He does love us, even when we're not lovable and even when we don't love ourselves. True happiness comes from focusing on Him which I will cover in detail later...focus on self does not work!
Focus on Others:
If focus on self doesn't work, you would think the obvious answer would be focus on others. Haven't you heard people say, get busy helping someone else and you're problems won't seem very big. It will get your mind off of yourself! Well, there is some truth there and there is a time for that, BUT when you are empty, you have nothing to give others. Many times, under these circumstances, we are trying to earn favor or approval by being a good Samaritan. When you don't get that pat on the back, it can be very discouraging. The truth is, serving others is a natural result of focusing on God and being filled with His goodness and love. But getting this out of order can lead to deeper depression instead of satisfaction and joy.
Focus on Sin:
This one is a little touchy. Is anxiety and depression sin? In His Word, God issued the command to "fear not" more than any other command. He sent His Son that we may have life and have it more abundantly and He said it was impossible to please Him without faith. When we live our lives consumed with depression and anxiety, it is displeasing to God. That being said, well meaning Christians would criticize me for my lack of faith, and tell me I just needed to read my Bible and pray more. There is never reason for a Christian to be without hope, you are obviously not right with God, they would say. Well, there was an element of truth in what they were saying, but though their intentions were good, this caused me to be so focused on my failures and weaknesses, that I found myself deeper in it, than progressing out. Focusing on our sin and weakness DOES NOT fix anxiety and depression.
Chances are, you have tried one or more of these things that don't work...and found the same results that I did. Well, the good news is to follow...in the next several blogs, I'm going to share with you the things that DO work! The things that God used to bring me up out of the pit...and I guarantee that they will work for you too.
Thankfully, God did not leave me there. "He brought me up also out of that horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my steps. He put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God..." Psalm 40:2-3. On the way up out of that pit, God taught me some very specific lessons and those are the things that I want to share with you. Things that I still use today when the enemy tries to take me hostage with fear and depression...things that really work! This is going to take a series of blogs, and I have decided to start by sharing a couple of things that DO NOT work...I've tried some of them numerous times, and I can tell you, they are not the cure. So, let's get started!
Almost always where you see one, you see the other: anxiety feeds depression and vise versa. Proverbs 12:25 tells us that "Heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop....". (Literally translated: Anxiety in the heart causes depression) So, what's the answer?
If we were playing the game show Jeopardy, and the answer was "Things that DO NOT work to fix anxiety and depression", the question would be:
What are the quick fix, focus on self, focus on others, and focus on sin, Alex?
These are four things that DO NOT work...let's talk about them in more detail.
The Quick Fix:
What does this mean? One thing I craved was relief. I wanted it now and with as little effort on my part as possible. I was exhausted and didn't want to get out of bed in the mornings, let alone do any work. So, I was on a quest for the quick and easy. If I could just swallow a pill and feel better, that would be the ticket! So, under the care of a doctor, I began taking several types of medication. Some for anxiety and some for depression. I was diagnosed with mood disorder and bipolar...I now had a label! I know these are real conditions, but for me, it was like being branded. Sealed into bondage in a sense. An excuse for spending 18 hours a day in the bed and not taking on any responsibilities for fear that I would have a bad day and let people down. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not against medication and in fact, I believe it can be used as a tool. But if you are looking for a quick and easy cure, you will find what I found...disappointment and emptiness. Let me make this very clear. I believe depression is real, I believe it manifests itself physically, and I believe medication can be a tool. But it is not the cure...even if you are medically bipolar, you still have an emptiness that can be filled with only one "thing"...God himself. I'm sure you have seen the commercials for the depression and anxiety medications that say "9 out of 10 people who are taking medication for depression or sadness still experience symptoms". This was true for me...I was medicated and numb, but still empty. It didn't fill the hole in my soul. There came a point when I had no doubt that God was directing me to stop depending on medication and to start depending on Him alone. That being said, I must insert a disclaimer here. If you are taking medication under the care of a physician, I do not recommend that you stop taking it unless you consult the physician and do so under their care and only if you are certain that God is leading you in such a way. Do not feel shame if you are at a place where you need this tool. There is a place for medical intervention and shame only intensifies anxiety and depression.
Let me sum it all up...Sometimes, medication is needed at as a tool to help with symptoms of depression and anxiety. In those times, we should be thankful that it is available and should not feel ashamed. But we should view it as a tool and not the cure because depression and anxiety are spiritual battles and will only be won with spiritual weapons...which I will share in detail in a future blog.
Focus On Self:
Okay, here's another thing I tried...I had several counselors who told me I had to learn to love myself. You need to take care of yourself first and focus on your needs right now. No one will love you if you don't love yourself. Just tell yourself, "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and dog-gone-it, I like myself!" Well let me tell you, focus on self does NOT work. Self centered people are not pleasant...they are miserable! We were not created to serve self...we were created to serve God and find acceptance in Him alone. He does love us, even when we're not lovable and even when we don't love ourselves. True happiness comes from focusing on Him which I will cover in detail later...focus on self does not work!
Focus on Others:
If focus on self doesn't work, you would think the obvious answer would be focus on others. Haven't you heard people say, get busy helping someone else and you're problems won't seem very big. It will get your mind off of yourself! Well, there is some truth there and there is a time for that, BUT when you are empty, you have nothing to give others. Many times, under these circumstances, we are trying to earn favor or approval by being a good Samaritan. When you don't get that pat on the back, it can be very discouraging. The truth is, serving others is a natural result of focusing on God and being filled with His goodness and love. But getting this out of order can lead to deeper depression instead of satisfaction and joy.
Focus on Sin:
This one is a little touchy. Is anxiety and depression sin? In His Word, God issued the command to "fear not" more than any other command. He sent His Son that we may have life and have it more abundantly and He said it was impossible to please Him without faith. When we live our lives consumed with depression and anxiety, it is displeasing to God. That being said, well meaning Christians would criticize me for my lack of faith, and tell me I just needed to read my Bible and pray more. There is never reason for a Christian to be without hope, you are obviously not right with God, they would say. Well, there was an element of truth in what they were saying, but though their intentions were good, this caused me to be so focused on my failures and weaknesses, that I found myself deeper in it, than progressing out. Focusing on our sin and weakness DOES NOT fix anxiety and depression.
Chances are, you have tried one or more of these things that don't work...and found the same results that I did. Well, the good news is to follow...in the next several blogs, I'm going to share with you the things that DO work! The things that God used to bring me up out of the pit...and I guarantee that they will work for you too.
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