A sincere prayer for all who are anxious today.
This post wasn’t scheduled today but I was at our small group last night, all Christians who each have a growing, vital relationship with God because of some things that were said, I felt an urge to write this today.
Each of them, male and female, struggles with some emotional or mental issues, ranging from anxiety, depression, fear, etc. It’s not something they deal with all of the time but it does present problems for them.
Then there are the people I know personally. Every one of them has dealt with anxiety at one time or another. It is the most commonly diagnosed mental illness in the United States. And, yes, it is a mental illness. It’s our minds, and they are ill. So what else can you call it? There’s no shame in calling it what it is. And everyone has some degree of mental illness when you really think about it.
This morning during my prayer time I felt a need to pray for all who read this. I know I don’t know you but I do know how anxiety feels and that makes me feel great empathy for all who suffer from it.
Anxiety presents itself in different ways in different people. People deal with their anxiety in all kinds of ways, some healthy, like exercising, and some not healthy, like drinking too much alcohol.
Some people deal with their anxiety by staying busy every minute; some by not staying busy enough.
Some put on a great front. Others succumb to depression. Some smile; some frown.
Some are angry; some are placid.
One thing is totally consistent though, it is a miserable feeling. Anxiety is emotionally painful in a very real way.
Anxiety robs us of joy. Like a thief in the night, it hides in a quiet corner of our minds until one day, when the timing is perfect, it jumps out and attacks us. Then we work really hard at pushing it back in the corner. We think if it’s hidden away, it’s not doing any damage.
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Nothing could be further from the truth.
An hidden enemy is far more dangerous than one out in the open.
This is not a post to tell you how to deal with your anxiety. That would be many posts, and if you check out my menu above or search for posts using the word “anxiety”, you will find a number of them. I write about anxiety and depression very often as that is one of the main purposes of this blog.
You can also find lots of great articles on the web with really good advice.
I will, however, list some good advice that is consistent across all literature.
- Engage in some form of exercise every day.
- Eat right and limit sugar.
- Watch your consumption of alcohol.
- Don’t smoke.
- Practice deep breathing.
- Plan time for yourself.
- If you are a believer in Christ, pray and study God’s word. If you’re not, find some good inspirational material and learn to meditate.
Here’s my prayer for you:
Dear Heavenly Father,
You know I don’t know who will see this prayer today but you do. You know that I am sincere in my prayers for them.
Help whoever reads this to really believe that a fervent prayer has been lifted up for them. I pray that you will relieve their anxiety today by bringing people or circumstances into their life to take their minds off their pain.
How I pray that peace overtakes anxiety for them.
It’s an awful and burdensome feeling, Lord, you know that. It feels like someone has placed a giant boulder on our chest and we can barely breathe. It even physically hurts at times.
That’s why you tell us over and over again to come to you with our anxiety and that we don’t have to feel ashamed. Your offer of help is for all of us.
Equip them today to do the things that are right for them.
I pray that you will motivate them to find help.
But mostly I pray that you will tap them on the shoulder today and whisper, “I love you”, to each and every one of them.
Heavenly Father,
God bless and a have a really good day.
