Does anxiety lead to worry or
does worry lead to anxiety? Whatever
way, the two things go hand in hand. Worrying makes us anxious and being
anxious makes we worry.
It is hard not to worry about
things – finances, work etc. However as a Christian the Bible tells me not to
worry, but it is difficult not to worry especially when you suffer from
anxiety. It is like a vicious circle.
Worry can change the way you
think and can make you fear the worst in every situation, however small. This can make you worry even more. Like I said,
it is a vicious circle.
The key in trying to overcome this
vicious circle is to challenge the way you are thinking. This sounds easy but it can actually be quite
difficult. However, when it does work it is good as it will help break the
vicious cycle of anxious thoughts that increases the worry.
I try to change the way I am
thinking but sometimes it is difficult to do. When these times happens, I do or try to do one of three things?
- Pick up the phone to talk to someone which helps take my mind off myself
- Watch something funny - laughing is good for the soul
- Read the Bible and pray – turning the focus away from me and onto God – taking my worry and anxiety to him.
Sometimes I need to do all three,
but also sometimes I just let the thoughts take control and I cry. Crying can
be good – gets things out of your system, but it hurts the head and stings the
eyes, and can leave you feeling worse.
We need to challenge these
negative thoughts and replace them with what we know is true e.g I am just not
good enough - needs to be changed to, it
doesn't matter if we are good enough, we are loved and not only by our friends
and family, but also by God.
The great thing about being a Christian is that God loves us
for who we are – imperfect people.
Below are those verses from the Bible which tells us not to
worry. They can be found in Matthew 6 v
25-34
25 “I tell you this: Do not worry
about your life. Do not worry about what you are going to eat and drink. Do not
worry about what you are going to wear. Is not life more important than food?
Is not the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds in the sky.
They do not plant seeds. They do not gather grain. They do not put grain into a
building to keep. Yet your Father in heaven feeds them! Are you not more
important than the birds? 27 Which of you can make himself a little taller by
worrying? 28 Why should you worry about clothes? Think how the flowers grow.
They do not work or make cloth. 29 But I tell you that Solomon in all his
greatness was not dressed as well as one of these flowers. 30 God clothes the
grass of the field. It lives today and is burned in the stove tomorrow. How
much more will He give you clothes? You have so little faith! 31 Do not worry.
Do not keep saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘What
will we wear?’ 32 The people who do not know God are looking for all these
things. Your Father in heaven knows you need all these things. 33 First of all,
look for the holy nation of God. Be right with Him. All these other things will
be given to you also. 34 Do not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will have its
own worries. The troubles we have in a day are enough for one day”
We need to take one day at a
time, and if needs be, take one second at a time, it’s all we can do.
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