Compassion & Careنموونە

Let’s talk about anxiety.

It’s the subject that most people experience, but no one really wants to talk about. I’m talking about that rolling inner whirlwind. The blinding gut-wrenching state of being that causes it to be almost impossible to turn our mind off in anticipation of the things that we usually cannot control.

When anxiety has us in its grip, we worry about just about everything. It’s often difficult to adopt a Jeremiah 29:11 attitude. Sometimes it’s hard to remember any scripture at all. After listening to person after person explain their experience with anxiety, I often think “There has to be a better way to live.”

However, anxiety works on a very rudimentary level. It has physical as well as emotional components to it, which we can counteract by applying physical, emotional, and spiritual remedies. The truth is, there is an amazingly effective way to breathe to reduce anxiety and stress. The Harvard Health Blog calls it Breath Control. The technique has similarities with prayerful meditation, and since it’s completely compatible with faith, we can liken it to “breath prayer.”

Try this: Close your eyes and inhale slowly. Imagine pulling the air in so fully that it fills every pore of your body, making sure your stomach expands. Exhale slowly through your nose.

You can start off with four or five breaths before you begin your prayer. Do not allow your mind to think about what is troubling you. You should start to feel your head start to clear. Then slowly, start your prayer while you breathe.  Simple prayers work best, such as:

While inhaling While exhaling

Thank you, Lord For this day

Father, I give     My thoughts to you

Fill me with          Your love and peace

Even if you don’t feel it as easy the first day, practice the next day, and the next. Then focus on the things that you have spoken to God. The Word says to focus on what is good. If you cannot think of anything good to focus on, memorize Philippians 4:8. “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 there be any praise, think on these things”. Anything that clears our mind and calms our spirit frees us up to hear God better. It’s prayer in action.

Declare this: Today, I will focus my mind not on what is going on in my life, but on the true, and powerful, and living Word of God. I will focus on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report until I believe it. Thank you, Lord, that I have victory over my thoughts. In Jesus Name!