{Spiritual 5}
A mother of a 7 yr old wrote into me, asking for prayer for her daughter struggling with anxiety. Seven years old! It broke my heart thinking about the variety of stressors in this little girl's life and it got me thinking, what stressors are there for kids? Childhood should be simple, fun, and full of laughter, not full of angst and stress.
How do you get freedom from anxious thoughts? Here are a few things to consider:
1. See the Good in life and stay focused on what you are Grateful for:
This is why we do the journal part of this challenge. When you write down things every day you are grateful for, you begin compiling a list of those things that bring you joy and you can go back to those things (when you forget them), and be reminded of God's goodness in your life.
2. Don't be afraid of the anxiety.:
Anxiety needs you to be afraid of it to have any power over you. One of the most popular weapons the enemy uses against us is fear. Worry, anxiety, and fear can over shadow us like a thigh cloud of darkness. Combat this fear with truth. Truth is the #1 weapon to come against the enemy. Why? Because he hates it. about God's promises for what He has for you. Look them up, they are all over the place in the Bible. If you want, go straight to Ephesians 1. Read the promises out loud, write them down, and declare them in your life. Thank Him in advance for what He is doing in your life even when you may not be able to yet see.
3. Turn off the TV/News and turn On God's Word:
It's hard to have a peaceful heart when you are constantly hearing all the bad that is going on all around you. Philippians 4:8 says , "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."
4. Try listening to praise music:
There are a lot of fantastic worship singers/songs out there. I don't know about you but just listening to praiseworthy music immediately soothes my soul. Try meditating on the life-giving lyrics vs meditating on the mess in your life.
5. Connect with the Father:
God is the source of life and His Word is like honey- Why? Because it is soothing to the soul, it's long lasting, and it heals. Psalm 119:103 says, "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter thank honey to my mouth! "
What are we doing to stay connected? Psalm 42:5 says 'Fix your eyes on Him." It is up to us to connect with God. Free will is a good thing but it can also hurt us when we choose not to look to the Lord for help. Choosing to connect in some way, every day, is up to us. See how the atmosphere changes, how your heart changes, how you see God changes, and how everything else around you changes when you truly make the time to connect with Him.
6. 11th Commandment: Thou Shall Not Sweat it:
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
By definition, a refuge is a safe place. When the Bible describes God as our refuge, it is saying that God is our safe place when we need protection from something. Knowing God is our refuge enables us to trust Him more freely. We don't need to fear situations or people who threaten our us, whether in a physical or spiritual sense. There is no situation we will ever face that is out of God’s control, so the best place to be, always, is right with Him. Don't sweat it. God is in control!
Song: Forever Yours by David Eric Moore
{Journal 5}: Write down 5 more things that you are grateful for today. DONE!
{Fitness 5}: Here is a workout you can do at home.
30 second planks
30 crunches
20 mountain climbers
20 lunges (alternating left/right)
10 pushups (may modify by dropping to your knees or do push-ups against a wall!)
10 air squats (in squat position, pop up, and back down)
5 Burpees (optional)
5 Hi knees
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I hope you all have a very safe and blessed weekend! See you back here on Monday!
Blessings,
Brit
Makin Jesus Famous
Romans 1:16
Sorry I’ve been forgetting to post scriptures. So much learning going on!
II Timothy 2:19-21
The Lord knows those who are His… In a large house there not only gold and silver bowls, but also those of wood and earthenware, some for special use, some for ordinary. So if anyone purifies himself of these things, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.