Do you find that times of busyness and change can stir up anxiety? I know they do for me!
It’s been a pretty stressful time at work lately. Lots of changes at work, and changes that I find pretty anxiety-provoking and OCD triggering. So I thought I’d brainstorm about handling anxiety through a busy time of change, as a loved child of God trusting in Jesus.
- God’s strength, not mine. Leaning on Him, intentionally and prayerfully. I don’t need to be strong- just weak and leaning on His strength. He’s been encouraging me lately through Psalm 121. My help comes from HIM!
‘I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.’ Psalm 121:1-2
2. Getting other people to pray for me when I’m feeling weak and overwhelmed is a powerful and wonderful thing to do.
3. Listening to helpful things, like teaching and worship music, really helps soothe and replace the stressed thoughts in my mind.
4. Thinking through in advance situations that might be stressful, and thinking about possible ways to plan for them (like planning in extra rest and recovery time, or having a soothing story book on hand for when I get a chance to read it).
5. Taking a deep breath!!
6. Taking a moment to appreciate the gifts around me right now, instead of rushing ahead.
7. Writing down a very small number of things that actually need to be done today, instead of trying to do EVERYTHING and setting the goal post impossibly high!
8. Remembering God loves me when I fail, and when I feel weak. Ps 103- He knows my weakness and loves me as a tender Father!
9. Planning in a bit LESS wherever possible instead of trying to get as much done as I normally would.
10. Remembering that it’s probably not as bad as I think it is, it won’t last long and I am probably emotionally overreacting! God has this in hand, and He has a plan, and He has promised to take care of me through it all!
Well, those are the 10 thoughts for today. I hope they encourage you if you’re going through a busy time of change, too. For those who trust and follow Jesus (and we can all come to Him and do that!), there is always hope, and He promises to help us through, and give us every bit of grace we need. 🙂
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Caroline Abblitt 