What To do When You Feel Anxious
I’m not usually an anxious person. So feeling anxious is a VERY uncomfortable feeling for me! But lately, I’m been feeling anxious! So what should we do when these feelings flood our lives?
This post contains affiliate links. That means when you click on some of the links in this post and you make a purchase I earn a small commission at no cost to you. All my opinions are my own.
Changes in my life have made me a little (well, a lot) anxious lately!
The pandemic, has been a life-changing event in all our lives!
Bobby and I have missed two trips to see our daughter and family in San Diego. And I miss them terribly!
And few other things are complicating my life right now and they add to my discontentment.
One change would have been enough but a whole string of changes have left me on pins and needles. I find myself weepy and short-tempered and a little blue. And these bad feelings are not me at all!
Here’s how I’m handling feeling anxious. And maybe this post can help you too!
HUNKER DOWN
This is a very Lancaster phrase. Hunker down means to stay in one place, get cozy and let the storm pass. And that is exactly what I am doing!
I’m digging deep into the word of God and pressing into THE ONE who knows me the best and loves me the most.
Actually, when I am enveloped by the love of God it tends to make me cry. So I’m not even dealing with my tears! I’m just letting Him take care of the way my emotions are manifesting themselves.
In God’s economy, I’m experiencing a trial! The first chapter of the book of James gives us a true look at what trials are and what to do when we find ourselves in one!
You can read what to do when you are in a trial HERE and HERE. We will all have trouble, it’s just a fact of life! I wrote a two-part series on how to handle trouble and I hope it will help you too.
Anyway (another Lanc. Co way of speaking), I’m hunkering down and going through this time of anxiety God’s way!
This is not the time to take on extra responsibilities or tackle big projects or say yes to lots of outside obligations. HUNKER DOWN with God!
REPEAT AND BELIEVE SCRIPTURE
I’ve memorized some very helpful scripture that will remind me of the TRUTH in my situation.
Feelings are such fickle things and they and our hearts cannot be trusted. They want us to go the path of least resistance and but maybe that’s not God’s way for us! It is better to listen to scripture and the word of God to alleviate anxiety!
The heart is deceitfully wicked above all things, and desperately sick, who can understand it? Jere 17:9
Our heart’s, mind, will, emotion and intellect are sick! They are contaminated by sin. No wonder we need to…
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
Only when our hearts are positioned to listen to God alone do we have direction for our lives during anxious times.
I have created a visual in my mind to help it trust God alone…
There a path but I cannot see it very well at all. I know that this path leads to peace so I need to stay on the path.
The path is lit right before me and nowhere else so can only take one step at a time.
I say all day long… ONE STEP AT A TIME. ONE STEP AT A TIME. ONE STEP AT A TIME.
Because I know God I am sure He will light my path and I will go the right way!
Here’s another verse I have memorized for anxious times…
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything with prayer, petition and thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your mind and heart in Christ Jesus. Phil 4: 6-7
These are verses I cling to! I pray and ask and thank God ahead of time for what He is and will do in my life! I also pray to accept His will because it is perfect!
And I must remember…
And we know all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
Hey, as much as I would like it to be all about me and what I want when I’m anxious I know it is so much better if God’s in control!!!! That means I may not get the outcome I want, but God will use my anxious times for good and His glory!
And what a perfect reminder by our LORD Jesus Himself…
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33
In Jesus, friend, we are overcomers!
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
I’m finding a whole new world at 3:00 in the morning. This has been my new wake-up time lately! UGH!!!! And there is nothing I can do but get up!
During stressful times it is important to take care of ourselves. Even when our bodies don’t want to oblige!
So I’m doubling my efforts on the things I can control like eating right and taking vitamins and supplements and exercising and drinking enough water and spending time with Bobby and my friends. All stress releasers!
And I’m not opposed to a nap if I really need one.
Anxious times remind me that this world is passing away and my true victory lies in my Savior Jesus! I am an alien and sojourner in this world and my real home, my forever home and glory is real and something I look so forward to!
So, this too will pass (not in the Bible)! And if I go through this troubled and anxious time God’s way I’ll have something to show for it! A more Christ-like character. And that is priceless!
Get this pretty square printable of Phil 4 6-7 as a reminder to you when you feel anxious…
I am sorry you are feeling down. I have been having the same difficulties with the pandemic and having had surgery 5 weeks ago and still not feeling like myself. It does help to know I’m not the only one with these feelings! So thank you for this post, it came at just the right time for me.
Amen, Yvonne. We need to cling to Him during this time of uncertainty, knowing that ALL things work together for our good, if we love Him. Praying for you this morning, for God’s comfort and peace. Missing our families is so difficult, especially our grandchildren. Face time is great, but not for snuggling with them.
Oh, Yvonne. You hit the nail on the head with this post. I, too, am an anxious person and these past few months have been very trying. I pray and read God’s word more than ever and I know that staying close to Him is the answer. Good days and bad days, many tears have been shed, but my faith continues to carry me through. Thank you for sharing your feelings. It is good to know others share my feelings during this time. I will keep you in my prayers!
Yvonne, I am so sorry to hear you are feeling anxious at this time. I have been so proud of myself, over these last 5 months, for not feeling anxious. In fact, I was patting myself on the back…which I’ve just learned isn’t the thing I should do. My whole family has been very blessed through out this whole pandemic with continued good health, continued employment for all, homes to shelter in and family that is all close. I thanked God every day for all of these blessings. I normally would be the one with anxiety, but during all of these months I haven’t felt it…until early this week. Nothing has changed for me or my family…everyone is fine, but I woke up with the feeling of doom and it continued all day. After praying about it through out the day, I realized that I needed to pray for a stronger faith. I needed to remember that God has all of this in His hands…not mine! The doom I was feeling was manufactured in my head. I now have returned to a calmer state, knowing that God is in full control.
Dear Sister, how refreshing that you are so honest. You are a faithful and wise woman. I took all kinds of notes from your post of last Sunday. You are in a time of trial and they do not last forever. I am reading “Hind’s Feet on High Places” along with a study guide and it has been such a sweet and edifying time. The Sheperd comments to Much Afraid that she needs to learn more songs/hymns to sing which made me stop and think…when I am singing aloud to the Lord, I am rejoicing. I made a list and got out my hymnal! The joy of the Lord is my strength! It is another way of being in the Word, singing the truth. May you be encouraged this day with the Truth you have have shared with so many in the past. I am so thankful to have a sister like you.
Yvonne,
Beautiful sentiment and blog entry! So touching that I pinned it to my Blessings and Perspectives section on Pinterest so I can reread it from time to time. Not to mention that weepy, short tempered and blue all describe EXACTLY the way I have been and seemingly have lost my sunny disposition. So, your writing was timely and THANK you for the pick me up! Also, I would like to print out the little 5×5 printable (even signed up again), but the link has disappeared. Help.
I, too, have days that I feel quite anxious and weepy. I try to remind myself to trust in God and really focus on Him. Pray and, believe it or not, give thanks, even in times of turmoil. I know that our God is good and He will have victory in the end. Please know that you are not alone in your struggles. We understand.
Take comfort that you are not alone. Like you, I take one step at a time as with stepping stones; we are sometimes afraid to take the next step, but in faith boldly step out.
Our Lord is “a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path.”
Blessings
I’m a 3 am gal at times too so I feel your frustration. I’ll be praying for God’s assurance and peace as you navigate the things you have no control over. Blessings!
Yvonne, your message touched my heart. You’re awesome. Thank you for doing God work. I’m so glad God put you in my life. God bless. I will keep you in my prayers.
We are all feeling anxious.. and of course I don’t know what your anxiety is … but I am praying for you. Gid bless you!
Thank you for sharing your feelings. I too have the same feelings some days. When I wake up early, I start praying until I fall back to sleep. Fear is not from God and I remind myself and ask God to take it away. You’re not alone and we can pray for each other and see His love take control!
Hi Yvonne , Thank you for being so open and honest and within that , you are not only encourage others , but also yourself with the word of God . Our mighty weapon ! We are back in lockdown in my state and now have enforced mask wearing when we leave our home . Throughout all of this , I choose to keep my lamp lit and be ever watchful for the Bridegroom . Keep looking up , our Redeemer is close !
Thank you so much for this post ! I can’t express enough how much this is needed at this time.
Yvonne, I LOVE your blog, and social media contributions. From the beauty of your home and posts, you share balance of life. Thank you for your Sunday posts and for sharing your heart. I am thankful I was introduced to your blog and to me you are a celebrity! Thank you for helping your followers get through these challenging times. Stay well and be blessed.
I didn’t receive your post through email yesterday so I came to your site to read it. Don’t know why that happened.
Thank you for the free printable.
If you don’t get an email today let me know! You might have to unsubscribe and then re-subscribe.
This is beautiful, I love your scriptures today, and it really spoke to my troubled heart and ministered to me this morning. God bless you! Thank you so much!
I’m so glad Karen!
Thank you so much for this today. I have been having the same feelings lately. Sometimes it helps to just sit and have a good cry. We all need a reminder that our God is still in control.
Blessings,
Carole
I’m sorry you are going through this difficult time. Being with God is the best thing! Remember it’s the rain that makes the grass greener! Many of us are missing family right now, but I am trying to remember this will pass and God is walking beside each of us all the time. Let’s all pray for each other! Love and hugs to you!
Thank you for this insightful writing at a time when we are all feeling anxious. I agree with you totally about using this time to memorize and stand on the Word of God. We have to focus on the One who can help us – not on the problems.
Sandra Mansfield Wright
sandramansfieldwright.com
“And we know all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28
Thinking of these words, I must say I totally agree! We have been gifted with the best life ever because He knows more than we do and He would never cheat us! However, I have to admit that some parts of life are very, very tough to deal with and accept!.
And a huge hug from Spain, because I had forgotten to say!
Take care!
Charo
Amen, such a wonderful reminder and thank you for sharing today, it was exactly what I needed to hear.
Love this sight and love all you are doing Yuvonne, I always check in with all your tid bits with excitement to express our beauty from the inside out!! Thank you for your heart to serve and help us out here ,just trying to get thru it all!! Love the Lord and Love His people who share.
Roni
California