Overcoming anxiety; getting priorities right and having faith

[nr1985]

Dear all;

I just wanted to air this theory about daily living to get some feedback.

I am worried about finances, although I believe God has blessed us and helped to turn things around for us. However, stings from the past seem to creep up on me, and I worry again. For our business, for our stability. We run a small business from home which is our main source of income. A previous major failure set us back, but God blessed us and got us on our feet again.

However sometimes I am overcome by fear and worry.

Last night I woke in the middle of the night with this random thought- Set your priorities right- eyes on Jesus first, then everything else will follow.

I opened my Bible to Saint James’ Epistle. There he says to have faith- he tells us not to be like a wave- which is manipulated by the wind- but to be strong- unwavering- to ask in faith and trust.
Then we think of St. Peter- who fixed his eyes on the Lord- only falling into the water when he looked down. Tonight I watched a film - Don Bosco. He walked a tightrope as a child- knowing if he looked down, he would fall. I think the Lord is trying to tell me something?

I wonder if any one could chime in and agree that yes- when we focus on the Lord, our work, our lives, our finances- can all fall into place?

My practical question- 1) how does one do this in the course of a day? I have a million things to do in my work- what would be a good way to remain focussed on the Lord while working- and trusting in him that everything could work out.

1. I worry God will let us fail again- surely God wouldn’t want this? The first time around brought me back to the Church. I feel this was my lesson. I imagine these thoughts now (doubts) my not be from God at all. Would you know how I could try to overcome this?

Many thanks!

 

[GratefulLeper]

Hello there!

The desire for your business to do well and to provide for your family is certainly a good one and that desire comes from God. I mean, we all want to be successful and to be happy and live peacefully. God certainly wants this as well. Also, let us not forget God has created us to work. 6 out of the 7 days of the week are to work, and 1 is for rest. Work is a huge part of our lives! No matter what we do!

You pose a very good question, and one that is highly relevant for this day and age. With technology you would think it would make things more efficient so that we work less, but in the last 10 or so years, people are working more and we can often be more stressed out, and more worried about the small things in our day.

So how to focus on the Lord at work, in the middle of all the busyness and small details? Perhaps start with a good morning offering. Offering all your work up to God at the start of the day. May all your work glorify God and do the work for Him. In this light, you are not just working, but you are working for your family as a means of glorifying God. Second, take small breaks throughout the day just ‘to be.’ God wants us to work but He also does want us to fidget around all day. Take several breaks - no one’s work is that important where he cannot take a few minute breaks just to rest, pray, and stop and smell the roses (and to continually thank God for work).

I think most of all, continue giving thanks to God for your work. Work is a blessing. Work can seem burdensome sometimes (quite frequently for some, even every day perhaps). Thank God for even the small crosses that come your way. I’m sure Jesus had a lot of carpentry projects go astray in His day!

Ask God for wisdom, in that He show you which paths to take at work. And don’t forget to pray to St. Joseph, who was humble and such a hard worker, and a great example for all workers. God bless.

 

[lauray]

1. how does one do this in the course of a day? I have a million things to do in my work- what would be a good way to remain focussed on the Lord while working- and trusting in him that everything could work out.

I used to have this issue.

What helped me was putting pictures, quotes from saints and statues in my work environment and when I see it, it somehow reminds me of God and the power of prayer. At times I sigh at work when things become overwhelming, then I just look at a quote or look at a picture I have on my desk or say a short prayer and my heart feels at peace again. I also try to pray here and there throughout the day or go to the local Church during my lunch break. This quote also helped me a lot.

"You always leave the Rosary for later, and you end up not saying it at all because you are sleepy. If there is no other time, say it in the street without letting anybody notice it. It will, moreover, help you to have presence of God." Saint Josemaria Escriva

1. I worry God will let us fail again- surely God wouldn’t want this? The first time around brought me back to the Church. I feel this was my lesson. I imagine these thoughts now (doubts) my not be from God at all. Would you know how I could try to overcome this?

Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

If you do fail, the difference this time around is that you know the power of God. God never leaves us and through Him all things are possible.

Another great bible verse is Psalm 55:22 "Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you.he will never let the righteous be shaken."

 

[7_Sorrows]

Personally for me I always tried to be independent and self-sufficient. However, the past 10 years I had significant financial loss and problems with my health. I will admit I was very angry with God.
I keep waiting for things to get better, but they haven’t or I am looking at things the wrong way. I haven’t been able to find a job for several months. It is like for most of my life I was building for something and then I lost it. My faith has suffered greatly. I have pretty much been on my own since I was 18 and I will be 63 next month.
It seems like in spite of the good decisions I tried to make and how hard I tried to take care of myself, it all fell apart in the end. This past year I have suffered terrible anxiety and I wonder if I can trust that God is really there because this has gone on so long.
At least God helped you get on your feet. I am still waiting!

 

[lauray]

Romans 8:18-31
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who** have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified."**

 

[Neofight]

Dear all;

I just wanted to air this theory about daily living to get some feedback.

I am worried about finances, although I believe God has blessed us and helped to turn things around for us. However, stings from the past seem to creep up on me, and I worry again. For our business, for our stability. We run a small business from home which is our main source of income. A previous major failure set us back, but God blessed us and got us on our feet again.

The above is the story of my entire life…when I was not a spiritual person, I would simply say “Everything will work out…it always does!” But, I came to realize, after turning back to God that the reason everything worked out was because of Him, not just simply because it does!
However sometimes I am overcome by fear and worry.

Last night I woke in the middle of the night with this random thought- Set your priorities right- eyes on Jesus first, then everything else will follow.

Again, you seem to be telling my life story…So many sleepless nights…even to this day…but I use these periods of sleeplessness and worry as a prayer driver. Now, I sense my worries as a blessing, because it turns me to God, I share my worries, and he comforts me…think about it, there are several instances where late at night Jesus spent in prayer…so by praying our concerns to the Father, at night, we are in good company!

I opened my Bible to Saint James’ Epistle. There he says to have faith- he tells us not to be like a wave- which is manipulated by the wind- but to be strong- unwavering- to ask in faith and trust.

This will become plainly apparent as you accept how God blesses you, and listens to your worries…I used to count the times of the day I was in prayer…now it is simpler to count the times of day when I am not praying…REJOICE IN THE LORD, ALWAYS…PRAY WITHOUT CEASING…

I think the Lord is trying to tell me something?

Oh yeah, he’s trying…problem is we expect the words from God to be loud…more often they are whispers…our heart and our ears have to be tuned to listen for Him.

I wonder if any one could chime in and agree that yes- when we focus on the Lord, our work, our lives, our finances- can all fall into place?

My practical question- 1) how does one do this in the course of a day?

You will find that over time, you will be focused on God in everything you do…multitasking is nothing new…just prioritize the Lord as one of those tasks.

1. I worry God will let us fail again- surely God wouldn’t want this? The first time around brought me back to the Church. I feel this was my lesson. I imagine these thoughts now (doubts) my not be from God at all. Would you know how I could try to overcome this?

Overcome it by accepting the fact that you may fail again. And, its not that God wants you to fail. But if you do, its not a curse, its a blessing, because God always gives good things to those in need, especially those who humble themselves and seek His help…Look at the beatitudes…all bad things are resolved with what we need (not necessarily what we want)…If we are poor in spirit we receive the Kingdom of Heaven, if we mourn we will be comforted, if hungry or thirsty we will be satisfied…so, I have come to take tribulation as a gateway to blessings from God, and not misery.

Many thanks!

You’re welcome…I will pray with you!

 

[DBT]

I am worried about finances, although I believe God has blessed us and helped to turn things around for us. However, stings from the past seem to creep up on me, and I worry again. For our business, for our stability. We run a small business from home which is our main source of income. A previous major failure set us back,** but God blessed us and got us on our feet again**.

I too am a business owner and I know exactly the fears and worries you describe.

You asked for practical advice so here is my thought. Ultimately, the cure for worry is trust. And how do we build up our trust? Through the use of our memory.

The saints teach us (especially St. John of the Cross) our memory will produce 1 of 2 effects in our soul. We will either remember God’s presence in our lives with gratitude and thanksgiving or we will use it to usher in a variety of “non-peaceful moods” into our soul: bitterness, worry, anxiety, resentment and the like.

So ask yourself a question. Has God helped you in the past? Then of course He will help you in the present. You’ll need to remind yourself of this over and over until it becomes second nature. Remember with gratitude … and use your memory in this way each and every time one of these non-peaceful moods creeps into your soul. If you do this, believe me worry will fade into the fog of memory as you learn to recognize His presence in each and every one of your present moments.

The more we live in the past (nostalgia, recalling hurts etc) or the future (worry, anxiety) … the more these temptations will haunt us.

Change the channel in your mind … see Him in the here and now.

Dave

 

[Robert_Sock]

Personally for me I always tried to be independent and self-sufficient. However, the past 10 years I had significant financial loss and problems with my health. I will admit I was very angry with God.
I keep waiting for things to get better, but they haven’t or I am looking at things the wrong way. I haven’t been able to find a job for several months. It is like for most of my life I was building for something and then I lost it. My faith has suffered greatly. I have pretty much been on my own since I was 18 and I will be 63 next month.
It seems like in spite of the good decisions I tried to make and how hard I tried to take care of myself, it all fell apart in the end. This past year I have suffered terrible anxiety and I wonder if I can trust that God is really there because this has gone on so long.
At least God helped you get on your feet. I am still waiting!

I would take the entire situation and place it in the Hands of God. Keep asking: What does God want from me?

*The Imitation of Christ * provides me with my spiritual discipline, and acts as my spiritual advisor.

 

[7_Sorrows]

I would take the entire situation and place it in the Hands of God. Keep asking: What does God want from me?

*The Imitation of Christ * provides me with my spiritual discipline, and acts as my spiritual advisor.

Thanks Robert. I do have that book. I feel like I have been under attack and my spiritual reading has really suffered.

 

[nr1985]

Hi everyone,

Thank you so much- everyone- for your advise and wisdom!

I’ll keep going over these posts to form a more solid outlook. Especially using my memory to remember times when God has been there, and praying regularly.

Is it ok to offer up most things? I.e.- you lift a box, or do something boring; do I simply say “I offer this for…”?

7-Sorrows- would you PM me? Maybe you’ve been through similar things and I can share anything that came out of it which might be useful to you?
I understand how you feel like perhaps ‘keeping away’ from spiritual reading. Maybe you feel some betrayal, and you want to hold back.
I’d say these are the evils which come into our life which can, if we’re so disposed, bring us closer to Jesus. They test us, since we need to have faith to take that step, or to pick up that book. Maybe turn to the Imitation of Christ and open it up. Say “Come Holy Spirit and show me your word,” and see what the Lord might have to tell you.

One of the most comforting things I have come across is the notion that while some people feel they have all the bad luck, in fact the Lord is really protecting them in a very special way. He knows they may fall away from Him, or become less reliant on him, if they won that money, got that job, or sold that business. I don’t know for sure, but I know that this makes sense- afterall our eternal soul is infinitely more important than this earthly happiness. We only need to turn to the great Saints who experienced great suffering and darkness.
Or consider Mother Teresa- once she surrendered herself to God, she became his instrument. And she had faith and conviction enough not to betray her mission once she achieved her iconic status.