My first experience with anxiety was when I was four years old. I was supposed to go to swim class, which I hated. Swim class was terrifying to me because I was so afraid that I was going to go underwater. To add to it, my teacher was nasty. I didn't know how to speak up for myself when I was only four years old. I wanted to be anywhere except where the icky feeling was, so I wanted to avoid swim class.
When you feel anxiety, how can you help yourself?
1. Identify the feeling.
Is it panic? Is it anxiety? Is it fear? If you name it, it can help you to get a handle on it. It allows you to feel like you have more control over it. This brings you back to the present moment. You're experiencing a feeling, but you're still safe.
2. Take in some slow, deep breaths and hold them at the top of the breath, then release them slower.
Breathe in for four, hold it for four, release for eight. Do a cycle of three or four. Try it a few times a day to get used to breathing like this. It can help your system relax and regulate. Eventually it could become a habit.
3. Ground yourself in the present moment using your senses.
Look for five things that you can see and describe. For example, it could be a certain color or shape. Look for four things that you can touch, feel them and notice what they feel like. Describe it out loud, if you can. Find three things that you can hear. What are you hearing in the present moment? What are two things that you can smell? Find one thing that you can taste. If you can get something in your mouth, maybe sour, sweet, smooth, warm or cool. Pay attention to the texture and temperature.
4. Notice the thought.
Observe what's happening. Your system may be trying to figure out if you're in danger or not. Are you in danger or just feeling this way? Think: "It's just a feeling, I will be okay."
5. Move your body.
It can help to walk, jog, or exercise in a safe way. Get some fresh air or turn on a fan. Do something that allows your temperature to regulate into something soothing and comforting.
6. Be careful with what you take into your system.
Sometimes sugar and caffeine can intensify symptoms.
7. Have some special go-to things.
Some things that help you ground into the present moment. For example, Essential Oils, soap or your favorite song. Having some go-to tools can help you to calm down.
8. Set aside specific time to pray about your worries.
Journal a prayer or say a prayer. "Lord help me with [whatever you're afraid of]." Notice whatever is peaceful. Look to Scripture for what is comforting.
9. Don't fight the panic.
Observe it and tolerate it without having to do anything about it. If you want to fight back, act like you're not afraid. This can help you feel more in control.
10. Seek out support.
Tell a friend or family member, pray about it, go to a counselor...someone who understands what you're going through who can hold your hand and soothe and comfort you.
You don't have to go through this alone.
If you want to learn more about getting free from Anxiety, you can get a free video series download by Sign Up | Anxiety Management Mini Course | Ruzuku
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You have value and purpose. You are important. You are not a mistake. You were created on purpose, for a purpose, by a perfect God. Therefore, you don't get to count yourself out. Psalm 139:14 says, "I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." God is the master creator and you are His masterpiece. You don't get to count yourself out if God has counted you in.
Who are you to argue?
Romans 9:20 says, "But who are you, O man to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, 'Why have you made me like this?'" There are some things that you simply cannot be, such as becoming a cat. When you have been given things that you can be and you choose not to steward them, that's ungrateful, in a way.
Appreciate what God has given you
Appreciation is acknowledging what God has given you and asking Him how you can use it to serve Him. We don't get to say that God's gifts are not good. Every good and perfect gift comes from God. He has given you specific things for a purpose. God knew you before you were born and He has everything laid out for you everyday. We need to say, "here I am Lord, send me."
Learned Helplessness
The psychological term is learned helplessness, this is when someone experiences so much hurt or so many setbacks that they just stop trying. They don't even believe that something different is possible. Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Not some things or the easy things, but ALL things. Although there may be some things that God has not called you to do.
What would you be?
If you were honest and nobody else's opinion came in and failure or fear was not on your radar, what would you be or do? If you're not living in that right now, answer that question. What would you do if you only listened to who God created you to be, and His voice for your life, and His design for you? There is no time like the present, but you have to do something. You can't just sit there with a negative mindset and assume what might happen.
We have to take action
We need to discern what God has for us and what He is calling us to do. That starts by getting to know God through prayer and believing the truth that's aligned with God's Word. Start by saying "Lord I want to know my purpose. I believe that you have gifted me." Maybe look up in the Bible the gifts that God gives us. See which one aligns with you, then try your hand at something. Maybe ask people around you what you're naturally talented at doing. Keep taking more steps until you see the bigger picture coming together.
Walk in the purpose God has made you for.
You don't have to fear because God works everything together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Walk in the purpose God has made you for, even if it feels hard or scary. Steward what God has given you. 1 Peter 4:10-11 says, "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies- in order that everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
When you say "I am not good enough," you're saying that God did not do a good job creating you, which is not true.
Don't be afraid to seek God and walk with Him. Don't count yourself out. Bless others with your talents for God's glory.
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