Dec. 21, 2010

This weekend was great! I got to spend the weekend with family that I don't get to see very often. But what I most liked was spending time with my aunt! She has anxiety too and it felt really good to be able to talk to someone that could relate to me. I had a little trouble with my anxiety because new things and change trigger my anxiety, but I made it through! Thank you, Jesus! Today was a milestone, because I went to my friends house. I haven't been there in about six months. I was a little anxious, but I did it! Thank you, Lord! I am def. moving in the right direction, with the Lord's help. I am having a little problem with someone. So I would appreciate it if you could keep me in your prayers. That the Lord will help me to work through this between me and the Lord. And not blow up! Thank you! I hope you all have a blessed night.

A poem my aunt wrote.

Anxiety
Anxiety is one of satan tools...
He uses them to keep you fooled.
Satan puts your heart in fear...
Jesus gives you all your gear.
Satan wants you to be afraid...
Jesus gives you llife that's been paid.
Satan wants your nerves on end...
Jesus wants us all to mend.
Satan wants to keep you bound...
Jesus wants you to be sound.
Satan wants your life a mess...
Jesus wants you at your best.
Anxiety is satan's trap...
he wants to keep you where your at.
Anxiety will cripple you...
it will keep you from what you need to do.
Turn your eyes on Jesus now...
and you'll no longer have to bow.
To satan's lies and tricks he pulls...
Jesus don't want you to be fooled.
Read your bible every day...
Jesus will make a way.
Pray to Him with all your heart...
Jesus will never ever part.
Pray-Seek-Ask-and Read...
Jesus will provide your every need.
Now don't let anxiety get you down...
All it does is make you frown.
Jesus wants the best for you...
Trust Him, you'll make it through.
By:Bonnie Schaefer

Dec. 9, 2010

I am really proud of myself. I know it may seem small to some, but to me it's major. For the past three days or so, I have been getting out of my car to rent and return movies to Redbox. I even went inside and paid for a pumped my own gas. Like a said before it may seem small, but before I couldn't do it. I panicked when I went into the store, but the point is that I did it! Thank you Lord for your strength!

Dec. 3, 2010

Had a great day today! I'm proud of myself! While I was doing clothes today, I started to get really anxious, but instead of going to sit down I stayed there and continued what I was doing. It was not easy, but I did it! Thank you Jesus for Your strength to overcome! It's one step in the right direction! Well, I hope everyone has a blessed night.

Dec.2, 2010

I started my day out cleaning.When I am cleaning or if I'm rushing around doing something, I become so anxious and end up having to sit down for a minute to catch my breath, because my heart is pounding so hard. Does this happen to anyone? Does anyone have any suggestion on things I can do to prevent this from happening? I've been having trouble sleeping lately. Does anyone have any ideas of natural ways of getting to sleep? Other than the little bit of anxiety that I had earlier I had a great day today! I'm about to go watch a Christmas movie with my little girl. I hope everyone has a nice well rested night!

Daily Devotion for November 29,2010

Thanks be to God! I did not have any major anxiety today, which hasn't happened in a while. I thought I would share the Daily devotional I read today. It's from Joyce Meyer's Starting your day right/Devotions for each morning of the year.

Don't Get Rattled

Just think of Him who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself(reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trial), so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds Hebrew 12:3

We have authority over the devil, but that doesn't mean he will never come against us. Resisting the devil doesn't rid us of the problem. But standing in the faith of God's promises while we are waiting for God to do something keeps us from acting like the devil ourselves. Don't get rattled about the devil. If he causes problems for you today, just say, "Forget it, devil! I am not staying hurt, bitter, wounded or angry.My trust is in God. I am a Christian...watch me be happy"

I love Joyce Meyer, She is led by the Holy Spirit! Every book I have ever read or any teaching I have ever seen has really blessed me and been a word for that day. If you are interested in reading any books or hearing her preach, her website address is www.joycemeyer.com. You can watch video on there or see when her show is on in your area, you can buy books, ebooks, and even audio. I don't know if the library in you area offers this, but on the library website in my area you can rent ebooks and audio books offline and download them on to your computer. So that would be worth checking into. God bless you all!

Verses

1 Chronicles 28:20
And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

(II Timothy 1:7) 7 For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

(Hebrews 13:6) 6 So that with good courage we say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

Psalms 23:4) 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

(John 14:27) 27 Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.

Matthew 11:28-30) 28 “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”"

Books

Lies Women Believe-Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Telling Yourself The Truth-William Backus & Marie Chapian
Freedom From Fear/overcoming worry & anxiety-Neil T. Anderson & Rich Miller
Battlefield of the Mind-Joyce Meyers
Get Over Yourself-Jennifer Beckham
Power Thoughts-Joyce Meyers
The secret power of speaking God's word-Joyce Meyer

Overcome Deadly Fears

http://oceanwayag.com/index.php/media/videoshare?task=viewvideo&video_id=80

The Serenity prayer.

Tools

When you have anxiety it tends to center around negative thinking. So, as I have prayed, the Lord has revealed some things to me that I would like to share with you.

1.) You have to change your thinking and believing...When I have anxiety attacks, my anxiety says to me, " You can't do that!" "If you do that you will die!" .... So write down things to combat those negative thoughts. For example: I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me! I will live and not die!... And read those positive affirmations to yourself everyday. 


2.) Read your Bible and seek God's guidance. Why? Because he is the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE.


3.) Pray. Ask for God's help and strength to overcome this.


4.)  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.Ephesians 6:11.
 Gird your waist with truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit. Prayers to say as you are putting on the whole armor of God.


The belt of truth- Thank you, my lord for showing me the truth about yourself, your plans and your ways. Thank you for reminding me that you are the only God, the creator of heaven and earth, the King of the universe, My father who loves me. You are my wisdom, my counselor, my hope and my strength. You are everything I need each day! Amen


The breastplate of righteousness- Thank you for showing me the truth about myself. Thank you for taking my sins to the cross and offering me your perfect righteous life. Lord, show me any sin that I need to confess right now so that nothing will hinder me from being filled to overflowing with your spirit. (Take time to confess) Thank you for forgiving me and for  filling me with your righteous life. 
Amen 


The shield of faith- Thank you for helping me have faith in you. I choose to count on everything you have shown me about yourself and everything you have promised me in your word. Amen


The helmet of salvation- Thank you for promising me salvation both for today's battles and for all eternity.Amen


The sword of the spirit, the word of God-Thank you for the scriptures you have given me to memorize. Please show me which you want me to use to cut through deceptions and gain victory in any battle I may face. Amen


5.) Listen to uplifting music and worship God. Thank him for what he's done and what he's going to do in your life.


6.) Exercise. Exercise releases stress and gives you energy.


7.) Eat healthy. Eating healthy will insure that you are getting all the necessary nutrients you need to be healthy.


8.) Remove yourself from negative people or situations. Instead surround yourself with positivity.


I hope this helps you!

My Story.

Hi, my name is Nikki and I am starting this blog in hopes that it will help me to overcome my anxiety and in turn help others. I have suffered with anxiety for 10 years. It started when I was 18 years old. At the age of  18 I became pregnant and soon after  had a miscarriage. I  had to have surgery, lost a loved one, and my Grandfather became very ill, within months of each other. So as you can imagine I felt really overwhelmed by all these new and difficult situations(I had never experienced that kind of loss before hand)! So I became fearful of death,the hospital, and being out of control. If you suffer from anxiety you know what the symptoms are. It would start  out where my heart rate would go up, my chest would become tight, I felt like I was going to die! So I would go to the hospital, thinking I was having a heart attack. And they would tell me I was having an anxiety attack and send me home. I would have anxiety attacks almost every night. I would even have anxiety attacks while I was sleeping, that of coarse would wake me up.  They lasted for about 4 years and then almost completely went away for about  2 years. Then about 3 years ago, I found out I was pregnant, and had a beautiful little girl. Not too long afterwards, I starting feeling overwhelmed and anxious by the drastic change that having a baby causes. Its pretty common to have those emotions when you become a new mom, but mine escalated into anxiety, again. Then about five months after having my daughter, my Grandfather passed. That was really hard on me, because he raised me, so he was like a father to me. I was at a job, that  was full of drama and I was in a very unhealthy relationship. All this emotional turmoil started weighing me down and I became very bitter, angry and extremely anxious! One day while at work, a total stranger told me that I looked miserable and angry when he said that it was an awakening for me . I started looking for guidance from God and in the past couple of years I have, with God's help. been slowly changing and growing. Now, that God has worked on my anger  bitterness and even removed me from my toxic relationship he is working on my anxiety. Not too long ago, I was so anxiety ridden, I wouldn't even come out of my house! Now I am driving myself around town and even visiting with family and friends. I still struggle with being in public situations. I don't go to the store, restaurants or any kind of public places like that. So, this is why I started this blog. I really hope that by writing my personal struggles down, it will give me courage to overcome these hurdles.