Christianity Oasis Forum

[FearandTrembling]

It has been a few years since I have completed this study. I decided to return to it because I have been having a lot of trouble with anxiety recently. One of the hardest things about anxiety for me is trying to convince myself that my negative thoughts won't automatically come true. I tried to fix this by just replacing every negative thought with a positive one, but that just reinforces my belief that my thoughts somehow determine my reality. I think my biggest issue is health anxiety. I always worry about suddenly having a heart attack or finding out I have a brain tumor. Honestly, I worry about any illness that can just sort of pop out of nowhere and is life-threatening, even if they have a few warning signs.
One thing that has helped (but is very hard to do) is to acknowledge my thoughts and let them pass without fighting them. Reassurance has become a compulsion for me-- everytime I have a bad thought, I try to reassure myself to the point that it is counterproductive. If we reassure ourselves everytime we feel anxious, it makes our anxiety worse over time (at least for me). Sometimes I'm able to let my thoughts go; usually I feel awful for a little while, until my body realizes it is not in danger and can handle the negative feelings. Other times the fear is too much.
I think that strengthening my faith in God will finally help me to confront my fears more consistently. It helps to remember that everyone stumbles, but as long as I do something to strengthen my faith--even if the only thing I do that day is another step in the program or reading one chapter in the bible--I am doing much better than if I did nothing at all. I don't know how long these extreme feelings will last, but I believe God will get me out of it.
Also my tinnitus is acting up a bit today, but I think that is just because I am focusing on it too much. I think writing in a journal makes me feel a little better.

[Mackenaw]

Hello FearandTrembling,

God bless you this day, and welcome back.

Am I understanding you correctly -- you already read the 14 Day Counseling Study? Here is a link to that Study: http://www.christianityoasis.com/CCCC/Forum.htm
It really is a wonderful Study, and will help direct you to Bible scriptures concerning whatever is ailing you. God's Word is our Savior and our Healer.

I also want to remind you of a shorter study on Fear that is also referenced in the CCCC Study. Here is the link to the study on Fear: http://www.christianityoasis.com/Keyword/Fear.htm

If you have any questions regarding the Studies, or in general, please do not hesitate to post your questions, and we'll try to help you find the answers and/or pray for you.

Again, welcome back.

God bless and keep you,
Mack

[Christianity Oasis]

Amen, Mack ...

Here is another truth that may assist in overcoming the fear you have of "any illness that can just sort of pop out of nowhere and is life-threatening"

http://www.christianityoasis.com/FearOfDeath/Step1.htm


May God's will be done.

[Dora]

You're doing a great job and redirecting your thoughts!

I wanted to suggest to meditate. The bible tells us to meditate on His word. I find it helps to meditate on the Holy Spirit. When a thought comes to mind I just redirect my thoughts back to the Holy Spirit. This is hard to do at first but it gets easier. For me it wipes the anxiety away. It took time but I'm getting better at it. I really think this will help you with your anxiety too.

Best wishes!
God bless.

[Dora]

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Jesus is the Word. Jesus is part of the trinity. It's scriptural to meditate on the Holy Spirit as he is Jesus.

Something I thought about sharing, I'm not sure this will help at all, but I realized with one breath God can wipe away the earth. The entire earth. Yet He doesn't. Because His love is so great. The Love Jesus has for us to die on the cross is the same love God has for us because they are one. The same love the Holy Spirit has for us and he is God. God, the one who created the universe created you. He loves the time we spend meditating on His Spirit. It erases all anxiety. He is the way.
You're doing such a great job! Keep it up. Keep sharing. We love to hear from you.

<3