I am corresponding to a friend I found on this forum and I want to share with you all some things that God is really revealing to me. My life is changing so much and I find it hard to keep it to myself. AS a matter of fact, I believe that I CAN'T keep it to myself. We should share the good news and uplift others in our blessings. I copied and pasted some of the conversation I had with my new friend today, I hope someone can get something out of it. So with that being said, here it goes:



I too, had the responsibilities at a young age, when my Mother became ill. I was so young and fearful of "getting" her illness(as I stated earlier, she was diagnosed with Paranoia/Schizophrenia) Things for me, went south after that. I do believe that is why I left home at such a young age. I just wanted to get out of that nightmare. Unfortunately, just to enter another one! (that is explained in my very first post, which I shared with you.
my friend, you have gone through ALOT in your life, and "sensitive" people,as ourselves can be affected by everything going on around us. It's scary and difficult, however, what we need to REALLY understand is that it ISN'T necessarily a BAD thing. We are BLESSED with humility, decernment, giving, kind heartedness, etc. etc. etc. Read about "fruits of the spirit" and give yourself a pat on the back. I can GUARRANTY , that you will find quite a few of those qualities in YOU!!! It's the "type" of personality we possess. However, as for are fears and worry, we HAVE to change our "thinking habits". Satan KNOWS that we are TRULEY good people And we are seeking Gods own heart,therefore, he will use our weaknesses(anxiety, worry, fear) to confuse and distort the TRUTH. And the TRUTH is "God is NOT The author of fear and confusion, but of Love and peace"."We are more than conquerors", NOW We NEED to claim that TRUTH and apply it to our lives. The question is, HOW do we do that, right???? Well, I'm finding out that we need to work on our perspective. In is written in Phillipians 4:6-9 "Do not be anxious about ANYTHING, but by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your "MINDS" in Christ."
my friend, here is THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU WILL EVER READ,pertaining to anxiety and fear. This is the most useful tool for me and this is what made the difference in my life. I read.."whatsoever is true,whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. and the God of peace will be with you" NIV`
PRAY about this scripture, read it over and over and over. I found that when this scripture REALLY became REAL to me and I TRULY understood the power in these words, that's when everything started changing for me. I became stronger, more focused and it drew me closer to my heavenly Father. I am finding out that you CAN go about your day "thinking on these things" and when all you can do is think about God and his promises(peace that passes all understanding) that's when your mind and spirit is renewed. AMEN also, "pray without ceasing"..I'm learning that this is also possible. Praying doesn't necessarily mean, down on your knees before God, it simply means in conversation with God(that's my perception) I can be in conversation with him, all day, everyday. Sure, things come up, but I can continuously keep him active in every part of my day! So, there it is my friend This is how I get through my day with anxiety, stress, etc. I'm focusing on prayer and scripture. I'm NOT saying that it is easy, it takes practice!!!! I have my rough days, but when I go to bed each night, I have to thank God for the strength he's given me through the day and for the promises he's made me that I HANG on to everyday..HE is TRULEY the one who sustains me. The more you put these things into practice, the stronger you will be. Remember, the bible also tells us how to prepare for battle(you know this is a spiritual battle you are going through) Eph 6: 10-18 "Putting on Godly Armor"... do you see the correlation?? it says "take the helmet(to protect our mind) of salvation and the sword(the word of God) of the spirit. The MIND needs the WORD to function properly. Interesting observation isn't it????
anyways, I hope this helps you. Please know that I am praying for you . You've been blessed with the spirit of GOD!! How fortunate you ARE!!! You were predestined to walk this earth and you have a PURPOSE!!! "as you were being formed in your mothers womb"...You ARE a CONQUEROR, you CAN DO THIS!!!!!

Blessings, and have a wonderful day
your friend,
Robin


As I wrote these words of encouragement today, I was filled with excitement and hope! I know I'm heading in the right direction and I'm beginning to realize that when I can thank God for anxiety, that is when anxiety ceases. Anxiety brought me back to God!!!!! Although fear and confusion is NOT OF GOD, it was when I am at my lowest point that I draw near to him and he lifted me up again. I'm doing it one day at a time and praise God that is all he is expecting me to do
Good day everyone and God Bless

The word of God is alive and powerful and sharper than a two edged sword (like the Roman soldiers carried).
Thanks for sharing Mom of 6. That is a great summary and explanation. Very encouraging.
Reminds me of a chorus I know "Just in time, just in time, once again, the water turns to wine. Just about the time I couldn't need it anymore, I get a little glimpse of Heaven just in time".
Thank you for the glimpse.

Hello Mom of 6:
That was excellent reading! A wonderful reminder.
I am familliar with that scripture. So your use of it in your daily life and your testimony
is a powerful motivator for all who read.
I would like to print your post so I can refer to it often.
It inspires me.
Thank you! God bless all your efforts.
MaryJane

Robin
Thank you for the reflection, I am familiar with the scripture reading. It's just what I need today. I had a night of horrible dreams which has reallly unsettled me this morning. I am going to print out a copy of your reflection. Reading it has helped me feel better. Thank you. Take care and God Bless

Beautiful post Mom of 6 simply beautifully put!

SCDon, I remember my mom always saying that "the word of God is powerful and sharper than a two edged sword" that made me feel all warm and fuzzy when you said that. I love my mother, she is a spirit filled woman and has definately been the back bone of our family. I still cannot figure out just why she was stricken with such a terrible mental disorder. However, she has never let go of her faith, so I know she will have many rewards waiting for her in heaven I love her so much!!!!

Cornflower you are so welcome! I was hoping that all who read it would get something out of it! God has been so good to me, I just needed to realize that fact! He has never left me nor forsaken me and when I really look back at my life, I can see that evident it all areas. I just didn't see it at the time. God bless you, and thank you for your kind words.

bna, I understand those nagging horrible dreams that us anxious folks get from time to time(believe me, I've had a few ) I used to become fearful at night just anticipating another one. They have become fewer and far between, as I've become more consistant in my nightly prayers. I focus more on thanking God for my day and all the blessings in my life. And then before I even get out of bed, I thank God for a wonderful new day, again thanking him for all the blessings in my life. I'm praying for you!!!

Believer, Thank you "In Christ alone, I place my trust". God bless you!!!

Hey Mom of 6, I am glad you are a person of strong Faith in Our lord and Savior. This month I have been going thru rough bumpy road in my life. My girlfiend and my mother told me those same words that you are describing. I am such an anxious person at times it really bothers me. I am going to take your advise and pray for his wisdom.

to the mom of 6 , you have some very encouarging words and anyone who reads that can't help but be lifted higher above anxiety!
My key verse has always been " I would have los heart unless I had believed I would see the goodness of the LOrd in the land of the living" and the reason why this verse means so much to me and maybe not someone else, but I felt when I was so consumed with anxiety that I wasn't in the land if the living, i felt very dead on the inside and coulnd't even function on the inside. but with the power of God's workd he has brought me thus far and He will continue to remeber me and listen to my pleas and crys for help! He's such an awesome God and I would never have made it this far out of anxiety w/o God. Another verse in closing that God Gave me for encourgement was this, it's in Isiah and it says " you shall go forth in joy and be lead out in peace, the mountain and the hills shall break forth in to singing before you and the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead if the thornbush shall come up the pine tree and instead of briers the myrtle tree shall grow, This shall be for the Lord's renown, for an everlasting sign which shall not be destroyed." This is so much a spiritual battle and we have to fight it with the word of God!!!!!!

Be Blessed and go forth in peace all who read!

Charity

Charity, I love the verses you gave.
Thank you. I'm gonna read my bible more!
I really like this forum for the reminders.

Keep going and keep the faith!!!

Wishing you, and all otheres, the best!!
Mary Jane

mom of 6,
WAs there time in you anxitey when you felt so inadaquate and sure that God was punishing you for something and all you wanted to do was run away? Was there a particular thing that just wrapped itself around your everythought that made you just cringe because you were certain God wanted you to give it up or be anxious forever? I know that God loves me only because the bible says so but at times he feels so far away and so demanding that i can't imagin that he cares becasue if he did this struggle would be non exsistant. I am NOT trying to be negative I am trying to find something to hold on to

Thanks cornflower! to lael, i would just like to offer you some hope. I did feel like God was punishing me in the beginning when all my anxiety started last year but those are LIES from satan. God can feel very far away at times but when you call upon Him he is compassionate to answer maybe not in our own timing but in his and thats the hard thing to understand. why? why if He's such a loving God would he let me go through this? I said all these things but I began to really DIG into the word of God and seek scriptures that pertained to my situation! and His word began to break down the liesof the enemy and bring peace into my heart. God will bring verses to you that can only make sense to you at the time and it can bring so much comfort. some verses that have helped me is in Isiah 54 and the whole chaptrer is jsut really liberating if you let it speak to you.

I pray you be blessed!

Charity

I just got my Attacking Anxiety CD set and I listened to it for the first session last night. I have been dealing with this problem for 2 years now, but it has become worse in the last 6 months. I was beginning to think that God was punishing me. Everyday I read my Bible and pray for God to take this away, and it hasn't gone away yet. I would sit and analyze over and over what I had done wrong and what God could be punishing me for. But slowly I am beginning to realize that He loves me, He isn't punishing me. He is allowing me to come closer to Him through this and I am really having to trust Him. It is really encouraging to come on here and read your messages because I can relate and I feel that God has answered my prayers by going through this program and seeing that I am not alone. And I think God is trying to teach me, and maybe some of you, that it isn't about our life here on earth and all of our feelings. It is about God and the eternal life we will spend with Him in heaven. He is made strong in our weakness. It is hard for me to realize that in the midst of anxiety, but I always read this verse below when I feel hopeless.
Romans 15: 13-14
So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in Him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. I am fully convinced, dear brothers and sisters, that you are full of goodness. You know these things.

charity,
thank you so much for your words and the verse i just keep thinking that this is convition and not anxity i do pray and read the bible and yet God still feels so far away. Please pray for me.

Hi Lael, I pray for you my friend Yes, to answer your question, I too have felt that God had abandoned me and that he was so far way. But as I grew in "the word", I realize that God doesn't always answer our prayers immediately. It's in HIS perfect planning. There are things to learn in our "valleys" and when we obtain and understand the lesson, per say, that is when we reach our mountain tops. God is all loving and merciful, remember, he will "never give you more than you can handle" and that is with a promise. I like to think that we that are afflicted with anxiety, etc. are pretty tough cookies(although we may not feel like it)..I would like to share a few verses, for comfort in knowing that he DOES love us and he has a purpose for our lives. Everything is for a reason. HE knows the big picture, and that comforts me

"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint". Isaiah 40:31 NKJV

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him, do not fret" Psalm 37:7


"These things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue A SINGLE DAY!" Habakkuk 2:3 LB

"I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for he has promised". Psalm 130:5 LB

"I am the Lord; no one who waits for my help will be disappointed" Isaiah 49:23 GNT


"God makes EVERYTHING hppen at the right time".
Ecc 3:11 CEV

"Entrust your ways to the Lord. Trust him,and he will act on your behalf. Psalm 37:5 GWT

"But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Saviour;my God will hear me"
Micah 7:7


Take time to study these verses, I am confident that they will bring you peace of mind

God bless you and keep up the good work,
God knows your heart, he loves you



"I'm not who I think I am and I'm not who YOU think I am, I am who God KNOWS I am" John Hagee

Thank you mom of six i will think on those verses. Thank you very much.