I have been out of the program for about 3 years and I am still having major setbacks. I have alot of ups and downs still and I just had a recent one that has me baffled. I am a hunter and I love being in the outdoors. I have felt in the past that I was putting it before family and God but the fact was it got my mind off of my anxiety. Recently I have had panic attacks that I am putting this in front of God and that he is trying to tell me to get rid of this. I am not the type of person who doesn't want to put anything before God or do anything against him for that matter. I am a christian and most of my anxiety has been based on the guilt that I am not good enough for God or I have done something wrong or I am not listening. Its all eroneous thoughts but I would still like someone to talk to about this. anyone else out there go through anything like this?

I think i really can relate to this topic because many times i have felt this way, but i have had to remind myself of some of the things that god has said in his word. God said be ye anxious for nothing, meaning to have faith that his grace is sufficient for thee. When we doubt in his ability to bless us in spite of ourselves then thats when we start to become anxious as to what he wants us to do, instead we need to pray and fast and ask god to order our steps and help us line up effectively to his desired will for our lives. In your case you should not let the fact that you are not putting god first in you life, cause you to stress yourself, instead ask god to increase your desire for him to be the head of you life in all things. Anxiety has a way of tricking us and obsecuring our focus. Dont let guilt plauge you, because it will only create more anxiety,the bible says for all have sinned and come short of the glory of god, so no man will ever live up to gods standards, that is why he sent his son to atone for our sins, because he knew that we would surely perish if he had not done that. Well i hope that touches you spirit good luck and god bless

Philly,

OH how I can relate. I grew up in a home that with very perfectionistic parents, and in turn became a perfectionistic person. (A lot of people who suffer with the anxiety have this trait.) To put icing on that cake, the church I grew up it was a very legalistic, judgemental place.

My view of God and our relationship was that I had to do everything just so to receive his love. If I didn't do it all perfectly then that meant he wouldn't hear my prayer, he was mad at me, he wouldn't bless me, he would leave me out there alone, I would be cursed...etc.

This is a VERY hard cycle to break. I think the best thing for you to do is to do a study on the LOVE of God. I FINALLY got a glimpse of this and can tell you it is SOOOOO freeing. I think if people preached on God's love more often, there would be a lot more people saved!! The STARTING point for me was when I got a book called "The Grace Awakening." It is a very simple and easy read, and it started me down this path to freedom. I still have to fight that old way of thinking sometimes, but I finally got a revelation on how much God loves me, and how he really feels about me and what he really wants for me.

If you have a passion for something, then God doesn't want to TAKE IT AWAY from you. That is not how God is. Obviously, if you are way out of balance, he wouldn't want you to do that. (And not because he doesn't want you to enjoy yourself, but because when our lives are out of balance it causes problems and he doesn't want you to have to go through that.)

It grieves his heart when we are sitting here thinking about how angry he is at us or how disappointed his is in us. He is there just WAITING to wrap his arms around us in love and just WAITING to bless us. And we let the enemy come in and deceive us!! It breaks his heart when we don't know how much he loves us. Think of how it would break your heart if your child felt this way.

Read that book! And keep going and lay hold of truth!! There is no condemnation in Christ. He knew everything about you before he sent his son to the die for you....and he still did it!

He loves with a love you cannot phathom. He would move heaven and earth for you...even as messed up as you are and with all the mistakes you have made and will make.

He wants you to know HIS LOVE CAN NOT FAIL.

Hey Phillykiser,

To answer your question directly if you give God and family your time and there's time for hunting do it.I find as for myself when I think the over christian part of things it gets me even more confused.I don't think christianity and the anxiety and depression disorder science have caught up with each other.The science of emotional disorders and religion are in two different parts,pastors and preachers my touch on them ,but they never fully address the real situations between the two.People think God is going to fix everything in their lives if the just do this or they just do that and way doesn't God make things easier for me if I'm doing things right(Perfectionism).I believe God will help you ,but he won't just fix everything,I think that type of christian thinking is so mis leading and then when you finally figure out that that type of thinking is not right you will feel defeated in your thinking.Hey,If God's going to fix everything ,right know on this earth,like everyone thinks let him give me the winning number for the lottery tonight Bible quotes are good to know ,but they are not a fix all either or there would not have so many christain's walking around with emotional problems everyone would be better.End note, to answer your question,I've found that if I'm being anxious about something and it keeps bothering me,it's usually not from God !!!!1

Philly, yes I am sort of in the same boat.........NOT PERFECT! It's so hard when ya feel guilty for not being "perfect" in everything. We must not give up this fight and keep the faith too Philly. Wish I could say more right now but it's hard when your hurting, -peace-

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chief Crazy Horse,

I can totally relate. I can tell you right now that it is totally and surely an attack from the enemy. Period. I just talked with a guy 2 days ago who overcame severe anxiety, very severe, who lost a lot, who couldn't sleep, he did it without any anxiety programs or books, he did it with God, BUT he said for months he had overwhelming guilt and I laughed as we talked because I TOO have the guilt. The Bible says that there is no longer any condemnation. Whether you believe in attacks from Satan or not, this condemnation IS from the enemy. Yesterday I had a major major break down because of this. I was watching a movie and all of the sudden all the things I did in the past came back, things I did today came back, this is my fault, if I had only done this, IF I WAS ONLY PRAYING MORE AND NOT WATCHING A CHRISTIAN MOVIE. Anytime I do something, playing piano, going to visit family, I get the thoughts and feelings that I should instead be praying, IF ONLY I PRAYED 8 HOURS A DAY THIS WOULD GO AWAY. That is not true and like I said it is from the enemy. You can't carry this burden, Christ took it from us. HE is so merciful, and so loving, and when we are suffering He is watching and it breaks his heart. If hunting helps you with your anxiety then you go and hunt. But don't go hunting every single day and make sure to make time for God and of course take care of your family. There is a balance. Figure out what is reasonable and make time for all of the above. Life is to be enjoyed. And also you can pray while you hunt, it is a perfect place to pray. We don't have to be on our knees in solitude to hear from God. While you are in a tree stand (if it is deer you are hunting), pray to God, repeat scriptures. Then you are hunting and spending time with God. Lastly I'll leave you with this, I'm sure you have a calling on your life and will one day greatly help others who are going through this. That is why the enemy messes with people like us.

As for your question: Is it God or is it Anxiety?
Answer: It is Anxiety.

We can blame things outside of ourselves for our emotional situation (God, jobs from hell, coworkers from hell, family, house fires, car accidents, acts of war), but ultimately we have to be responsible for our own emotional well-being.

Of course, this is easier said than done! And I have yet to be learn to be completely responsible. (Hence my participation in this program.)

I REALLY REALLY want to blame my situation on things outside of myself.

Athlete

There are moments wheN suffering from panic that I've picked up a bible for comfort. I flip it open, hoping for some kid of "magic", not having taken the steps to calm myself down, or to cry out to the Lord. What has happened? I happened to flip open to some grim story of condemnation. My anxiety increases. "God hates me"...we always find the worst case scenario.

The problem isn't God or the Bible. The problem is when we do not ride out the storm, wait patiently for the Lord, anything and everything becomes cause for worry. Yes, even the word.

Enter prayer in a reverential spirit. I know it's not easy. Nothing Good is.

I cried out for help screaming and swearing at the end of my rope. Irreverent? Yes. Perfect? No. Honest? YES! God introduced me to the program and life is so much better.

I used to think Jesus let me down. So much shame, I used to think I let him down!

Truth is, Jesus NEVER let me down. I thank God for my crazy,anxiety ridden life up til now because look where I am now.

Love in my heart, money in the bank, and most of all I know God loves me.

Life gets better and better. Any bad experience or bend in the road can be used as a reference, as ammunition for the future. See, you've already got a hell of an arsenal of bad times, now let's build on the good times-together!

PEACE,
JEFF
ps-read psalm 40

Thanks Jrock...
I have been struggling with this myself. Thinking I just have not been "good" enough or all this anxiety stuff would go away. I just am not "christian" enough or God would take the pain away....I was even starting to feel guilty that I was using this program instead of Gods word to heal me. And realized God led me to this program. Such a mind battle. God is a loving God....and I need to KNOW that and mediate on that. During these extreme hours of anxiety I seem to forget that.....and then beat myself up. I appreciate all the input here. On to a good day.....

you guys are awesome. Soo glad I am not the only one dealing with this crap. I am crying reading all of your responses thank you soo much. this has helped.

Hey guys and gals....I just finished lesson #1 for the 100th time. (I get to about 3 and start felling better and quit)....anywho....just turned the computer on and....its great to know others with your same thoughts....keep up the good work on communicating with each other...It really does help...

Thank-you Jrock, that post really spoke to me.

I definitely think we create a lot of it, the enemy uses it, and yes God is going to help us, but it will take a lot of work on our part. Renewing of the mind. I too have felt guilty about not depending solely on the Word of God and spending time with the program.

I´m a Christian, too and have an anxiety disorder since 9 years. There were times when I woke up with anxiety every single day of my life, I was really desperate. I knew where the disorder started, I mostly found out where current attacks came from, but couldn´t find out why I couldn´t get rid of it or at least get better.
Of course I tried to find out what else I could change, repented every possible and impossible thing. I was paralysed with fear of having sinned, even when I couldn´t find any sin in my life. I hardly dared to move, to do anything that used to be pleasure before. Being anxious went along with feelings of guilt, but that´s how I grew up. Feeling insecure, afraid and unworthy.
Reading the bible didn´t help me while I was anxious because I was too tense to concentrate. (That also made me feel guilty!)
After years of therapy and antidepressants which didn´t really help I realized that my marriage was the main cause of my persistant anxiety. (I only speak for myself and don´t want to discuss the subject "Should a Christian get divorced?")
Meanwhile I got divorced and eventually noticed that my anxiety got much better. It had to do with feeling abandoned, ongoing money problems, (=existential fears), lack of security and speechlessness.
Along with the divorce, which was painful but necessary, I found Lucinda´s program and started to understand the body-mind-connection, about negative thinking and the whole adrenaline thing ect. That really helped me!
So I learned that my anxiety wasn´t a punishment of God, but my reaction to being persistenly unhappy. Many things have happened in my life since then, and although my life isn´t perfect in Gods sight at this time, I have less anxiety than ever and I even experience moments of happiness, joy of life. I couldn´t even spell these words anymore.
Of course you shouldn´t neglect your family or marriage, because if you do you may get new problems, but think about it. Too much of this or a lack of that.

Hope this helps a little,
Susanne

I can definitely relate to this topic, and I agree that the God that we serve doesn't want us to be suffering anxiety and depression. That wasn't his intent in creating us. I'm reading the companion guide to Lucinda's program called the "Spiritual Workbook and Devotional Guide" developed by Jerry and Carole Wilkins and Darla Deppen VanHorn. You can order this workbook directly from the Stress Center for about $20, and it really helps with some of these questions/doubts that we find ourselves in and is a good spiritual supplement to the program.

I'm also reading Norman Vincent Peale's Positive Thinking for a Time Like This (the sequel to his best selling Power of Positive Thinking) and it's a great read. One of Peale's suggestions is that we "develop the faith that God is no mere theoretical idea, but is actually near, and always helping you. Pray and think and practice this belief until you become absolutely sure that God is with you for a fact. Then you will know that when you must face something hard, you do not have to meet it alone. God will see you through anything. God is always there to help you."

Hope you all have a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend!

ReF: sit n spin, not to start a debate but saying that god cant or wont fix something in someones life seems very contrdictive to the whole reason that we are all here, and that is to get healed. No god doesnt work like a genie in a botttle for most people because he does things so that he gets the glory for them, so if maintaining your problem with anxiety and depression keeps you blessing him, that might be why some of us tend to hold onto our condition, or maybe there is some other direction that god wants us to go in our lives and he is just waiting for us to be obedient. Maybe god wont bless you with the winning ticket for the lottery, because you wouldnt be able to handle that type of increase in your finances. One thing is for sure that when you do read your word and you do know god himself whether its quoting scripture or praying, your trust and faith in god will and DOES change things, so i believe before you give advice that my be negative search your spirit for what god would lead you to say because, Christians ARE supposed to believe that god can move and change anything, he created all and has to power to do as he so chooses, to doubt him is ignorant, not trying to debate, but my spirit did not sit well with your response, God bless all