anxiety

I am not one of those worry-free, carefree, live life one day at a time, doesn't care about consequences kind of people.

But you have probably already figured that out, smartypants that you are!

I believe my personality type stems from a lot of things. Of course, one being that I am God-designed. Another being that I am the oldest of four siblings and have always felt the need to act like the oldest, if you know what I mean. I am bossier than most by nature, but also viciously loyal. I like to be in control, but I am a very good leader. For each set of negative characteristics of my personality, there is a whole host of positives as well.

My pastor's favorite word is balance, and I definitely think it applies to this area of my life.

One of the most positive things (so I have been told, I am not trying to pat myself on the back here) about my personality is that I care deeply about people. I don't do shallow, surface level relationships. I have been there and done that and all it did was bring me a whole lot of hurt and wasted time. Since then, God has molded me and taught me a lot about relationships and people in general.

I don't do artificial. I don't do superficial.

I do real.

And real means having to say and do hard things sometimes. Real means confrontation and I hate confrontation. But I do it. Because it's biblical. Because it's necessary. Because I love my friends/family/husband too much not too.

The negative aspect of this lovely personality trait that I have is that it brings me a lot of anxiety. I deal with anxiety a lot more than I let on to even my closest friends. My anxiety affects me the same way each time. If I feel it coming on, it's already to late to try to stop it. Once it hits me, there is no going back, there is no knowing how long it will last. What I do know is that my heart will pound out of it's chest. I will not be able to sit still for long periods of time. I *tmi* will use the bathroom several more times a day than necessary. My hands shake. I cold sweat. And the worst...my thoughts run rampant.

I have learned from my many bouts of anxiety (some may call them panic attacks but I truly don't believe mine are severe enough to warrant that definition.) that the best thing for me to do is to get in The Word. To sit down with my Bible and pour myself into it, and to let it empty me of all the uneasiness and fill me up with the promises God has for us.

I don't know that there was much point to this post except to let you in on a little of what I am feeling right now. I really can't share what is going on in my life right now, but let's just say it's big and it's scary and it's proving to come with a lot more anxiety than normal.

So what are you tactics for decreasing anxiety? What are some of your favorite scriptures or books of the Bible in general?

My favorite...

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." - Philippians 4:4-9