Path to Wholeness

Anxiety Relief

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Do you ever need some Anxiety Relief? Well, you are not alone. When Jesus indicated that he wanted to feed a crowd of 4,000, the disciples react out of anxiety, abandoning their rational thinking. (You can read this story in Mark 8:1-9). You might say that the disciples needed some Anxiety Relief!

So what happens when a person gets anxious and overly concerned? First, the emotional and logical parts of our brain disconnect when we experience a crisis or trauma. This kind of stressor then causes feelings of anxiety. Once we become anxious it becomes easy for our ‘responses’ to become ‘reactions’ because we aren’t functioning from both sides of our brain (emotional & logical).

Satan uses stress, trauma, and hurtful situations to form “lies” in our mind that are not true. Keith Strohm’s book, “The Ten Biggest Lies of the Enemy”, lists what he believes are the most common lies: I am alone, I can only count on myself, God is not a good Father, The Devil is as powerful as God, Following God means giving up happiness, God is powerless to help me, I am so broken and damaged that there’s no hope for me, I am meant to suffer, I have to be perfect to earn God’s love, and I am insignificant.

 Are you aware that anxiety shares the same Latin word as anger? It is translated, “to choke”. Anxiety chokes and limits our life, creating uncertainty. It interferes with our ability to think clearly and objectively (Peter Steinke).

Neurologist Paul MacLean explains the brain as a three-tiered process with rational, emotional, and survival (automatic) processes. Our rational/thinking capacity encompasses 85% of the brain, leaving only 15% for our emotional and automatic responses. On top of that, the emotional and automatic response areas have many links flowing from them, while the rational links are sparse. So when our emotions build up, they are like an aerosol can that gets too hot. They explode and we ‘react’ instead of responding rationally.

Feelings of anxiety and fear not only cause us to over-react, but to lose touch with our logical thinking? You couple that with feelings of doubt and unbelief and you begin to understand the response of the disciples in Mark 8. So it is essential that we learn some ways to return ourselves to a place of peace. Let me offer you some ideas for Anxiety Relief when you’re feeling anxious.

In my book, Peace for Anxious Times, I give you some ideas for managing your anxiety (chapter 5). This involves practices like Prayer & Meditation; Repeating Bible verses to yourself; Breathing techniques; Breath prayers; Vitamin B & Magnesium; Music; Physical Exercise; the Hand Position exercise; An Attitude of Gratitude (i.e. praise & thankfulness); Restful sleep; Essential oils (Lavender, basil, bergamot, geranium, and Roman chamomile), and herbal teas (Chamomile, Peppermint, Lemon Balm, and Passionflower).

I find it helpful to start my day connecting with God. It helps me have the right mindset for the day ahead. I’ve also found it beneficial to say the words of Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].”

Whenever you are anxious, I hope you will try some of these ideas for Anxiety Relief and remember the words of Philippians 4:6-7. In this scripture, God has promised that his peace will stand guard over your heart and mind if you do three things: (1) Pray (which connects you to God), (2) make your requests known to God (your specific needs), and (3) offer him words of thanks. All of these things will take your mind off of your stress/anxiety and refocus it on God (your powerful resource)! So bring on the Anxiety Relief!

 Note: This is the 3rd blog in a series concerning this miracle. My last 2 blogs will give you more information about this miracle.]

Staying Focused on Jesus

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In my last blog, “Do you Believe God will Provide”? I reflected on the miraculous feeding of the five thousand (Mark 6). Several chapters later when Jesus wants to feed four thousand the disciples ask, “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed these people out here in the wilderness” (Mark 8:4). Why would they ask this when Jesus had already provided food for 5,000?

Part of the answer appears a few verses later when Jesus questions them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you don’t have any bread? Don’t you understand yet? Don’t you catch on? Are your minds closed? Are you blind and deaf? Don’t you remember? (Mark 8:17-18, NOG). Then he reminds them about both of the miracles he had done and all the food left over (Mark 8:19-21).

God spoke to my heart as I meditated on this scripture. I wanted to have a tender heart, instead of a stubborn one. I desired an open mind and a willing spirit that could help me stay in connection with God. I wanted to have eyes that were focused on him so I could see what he’s doing. And I wanted ears that were sensitive to hearing and recognizing his voice. What was their experience saying to me?

I believe the disciples were more concerned with what THEY CAN’T DO, instead of what JESUS CAN DO.  They have allowed their attention to shift from Jesus to their present challenge. Scripture is clear that it’s essential to keep our eyes on Jesus (Heb. 12:2). Even the Psalmist says, “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (Psa. 16:8, NIV, bold added). Staying focused on Jesus allows us to have a sense of God’s presence every moment. And it is the presence of Jesus that keeps the enemy at a distance and protects our heart from unbelief and anxiety.  Here are two things that help me stay focused on Jesus:

First, I use a hand exercise you can find in my book, “Peace in Anxious Times”. Put your Right hand in front of your face; this represents a focus on Christ. Then put your Left hand behind your Right hand; your problem is now behind Jesus and harder to see. Right?

Now when you get anxious about a problem, doing the hand exercise can remind you that you have allowed the problem to become your focus. Simply put your hands in front of your face (Left hand in front) and exchange the position of your hands so Christ will now be in front of your face and your focus. Remind yourself that with Christ as your focus, you will not be shaken (Psa. 16:8). Then breathe deeply and visualize Christ’s presence and peace flooding you. Your anxiety can then dissolve. Staying focused on Jesus is the key!

Secondly, I reset my schedule to prioritize a more consistent morning time with God, since being in his presence strengthens me for times when I might be tempted to lose my focus on Him.I was reminded of the illustration where you put some large rocks in a jar until it is filled to the top. You ask, “Is it full?” Yes! Then you add some small pebbles to the jar and they go into the small spaces around the rocks. And you ask? “Is it full?” Yes. Then you put some sand in and you fill all the places that the rocks and pebbles haven’t filled. Then you ask one more time, “Is it full?” Yes, yes, yes!

The rocks represent the priorities in our life, the most important things to do each day. The pebbles represent things we are able to do but they are not our first priorities. The sand represents the distractions and time wasters in our life. Unfortunately, the sand is where we sometimes spend most of our day. Things like, social media, running errands, watching TV, or allowing people and situations to demand too much of our time.

I would encourage you to sit down and make a list of what your rocks, pebbles, and sand are right now. And then, what do you want them to be? After that, come up with a schedule that allows you to prioritize the essentials and minimize the time wasters. I decided to schedule all of my appointments on one or two days a week when possible. Then I try to keep the other days open for things that are the most important priorities in my life. I can tell you that this has been a helpful process for me. There have been a few days that I couldn’t control, but overall I have been more effective in keeping my time with God and my other priorities. If you fill your day with pebbles and sand first, there will be no room for the rocks (your priorities)!

I also purchased a bible that had a lot of space for journaling, so I could not only read the Word but apply it to my life. I try to spend time each day thanking God (or writing in my Gratitude Journal), worshipping him with some worship songs on my phone, and doing 2-way journaling (between me and God) so I can hear God’s voice. It’s easier to just read the ‘words’ of the Bible, but that will keep God at an arm’s length in your life.

So, use the “Hand exercise” when you have lost your focus on Jesus. And be proactive in prioritizing time with God. Both of these will help you keep your eyes on Jesus! Always remember – Staying focused on Jesus is the Key!

(I’d love to know how you are doing as you try these two things. There is a place under the title of this blog for you to respond. (If you want to be aware of when I publish new blog posts, subscribe at “Get Updates” to be notified.)

Sense the Presence of God

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Do you Sense the Presence of God? I believe sensing God’s Presence is a dimension we live in just as space (height, width, and depth) and time are dimensions. The scripture speaks about the dimension of space, challenging us to comprehend the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love – how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is (Eph. 3:18), a love we can never be separated from (Rom. 8:39).

As children we were also taught the dimension of time as we learned to ‘tell time’ and ‘be on time’ (chronological time); but this only taught us to force time into a narrow box of expectations, based on order and a schedule. Jesus modeled for us a different time – kairos time – as he paused from the urgent task at hand and stopped to heal a woman with an issue of blood (Luke 8:43-48). This type of time is based on where God is at work, not on our schedule.

That brings us to the point of a final dimension that transcends both space and time – a sense of God’s presence. This dimension is timeless and cannot be seen or measured, which often makes it feel inaccessible and unreachable. Jesus had a sense of timelessness when he was alone with the Father and, on one occasion, it frustrated the disciples who felt they needed him in the midst of a storm (Matt. 14:22-33).

Busyness and rushing tends to keep us earthbound, causing us to lose a sense of God’s presence. That’s because God’s presence is usually more noticeable when we are still or silent as Elijah experienced (I Kings 19:11-12). It almost takes a crisis or a physical illness to stop our busyness and motivate us to spend time with God. But as we devote time with the Father, as Jesus did, this dimension becomes more real and relevant.

Here are some ways to sense presence of God by spending time with him: (1) Read & meditate on Scripture (I suggest you try one of these bible studies described on my website: Lectio Divina or Experience Presence of God. (2) Listen to music that is peaceful and worshipful. I like ‘Be Still and Know‘ by Steven Curtis Chapman, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus by Michael W. Smith, OR You are Good by Kari Jobe. (3) Say Jesus’ name over and over a number of time prayerfully. His name is powerful! (4) Pray a Breath Prayer. (5) Do a Prayer Walk (pray as you walk in God’s nature). (6) Spend time thanking God for as many things as you can think of.

Spending time in God’s Presence is priceless. It can change a negative attitude, it can move us from fear to peace, it can help us make godly decisions, and allow a sense of God’s presence to grow within us. Contact me and let me know if you have taken the time to try any of the above ways to connect with God and how it was helpful. May you Sense the Presence of God today!