Dealing with My Anxiety: Some Coping Techniques
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ส.ค. 2024
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Middle of the night anxiety I recite John 14:27. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
So many Christians wear a mask and pretend everything is okay. They go to church, smile, sing the hymns, hear the sermon and then go home feeling like they’re the only one battling….. whatever. It’s refreshing to see a pastor who is real, drops his guard and says “me too.”
When my husband was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, I was able to take early morning walks praying and mediating on Psalm 23 and the Lord’s Prayer. Thankfully the Lord allowed me to sleep peacefully through the night and face the day caring for my terminally ill husband. Now I lean on Him to guide me through tasks I never had to do before. He is always there faithfully guiding and directing our steps if we look to Him.
My good Christian friend who had bouts of depression told me he read the Psalms everyday and it was like a subscription of comfort for him.
My Pastor who has gone through training gives Christian counseling which is great.
Was it Calvin who said God’s sovereignty is the pillow he laid his head upon at night? That’s a beautiful and comforting thought I try to remember . I will give that Psalm 23 and The Lord’s Prayer a try. 🙏
Thank you for your comment it is blessing during a trial
Glad to see I'm not alone in the 3am club.
I really appreciate you speaking out on this. You and your ministry has helped me tremendously. I thought I was alone in scenarios like this. A lot of Christians will judge you even if you act like life is hard. It gives me peace knowing it's not just me.
Great advice in this video. I used to drink a lot. Almost every bad decision I’ve ever made was influenced by alcohol. Haven’t touched it in years and my life is so much better. Not telling anyone they have to give it up completely but I had to. Besides YT and podcasts I don’t use social media. It’s truly doom scrolling. And mostly gossip. And finally being fit is key in older age to feeling good and being around for your loved ones.
Really appreciate your vulnerability on this. My conviction is that mental health is physical, emotional (i.e. situational), and spiritual. If any one of those areas are off it will effect the other two.
For a long time I thought my anxiety was only emotional, until I finally realized in 2016 that having hot flashes and extreme brain fog at age 28 was exclusively physical. I was sleeping well and eating right and trying to exercise, but I had a parasite in my stomach and severe nutritional deficiencies. Thankfully, I happened to be fasting from all forms of caffeine as I was praying over my now husband and alcohol wasn't even in the picture. It was quite the journey recovering, and I'm still stewarding my genetic inadequacies today.
Like you, I found great comfort in Psalm 23 in that season. Knowing that God's goodness and mercy were pursuing me helped me cling in faith when my body was so unwell. Knowing that He allowed my health to break and was there with me in it gave me peace as I clawed my way out. I wouldn't trade the hardship of that season because it would also mean trading the fruitfulness He brought afterwards. He truly leads us in paths of righteousness that lead through the valley of the shadow of death for the glory of His name.
God bless you and your family. I have a medical condition too that causes anxiety. I shared my brief story in the comments too. I pray that you feel better and your health is well. And that you grow in faith and hope and love in all circumstances. One day we will be free from all tribulation.
Thank you for this. It is a very helpful video. The singing of Psalms can lead to remembering large portions of that Book with attending benefits. On another topic raised, I regard coffee to be a necessary medicine, which I take three times a day (8am, 10am and 8pm); the 8am cup is multi-shot. Sometimes anxiety has genetic causes (runs in families), which prescribed medication can help. BTW, whose image is that on the T-shrit. I looked up 19th Russian authors and Presbyterians without success.
I say the Jesus prayer when I wake up in the middle of the night.
“Lord Jesus Christ
Son of God
Have mercy on me,a sinner”
This is a well known prayer in the Eastern Orthodox Church. I’m a member of the Orthodox Presbyterian church who was raised Roman Catholic. My mother was Eastern Orthodox and both my parents were believers in our Triune God. I say the Jesus prayer three times slowly and thinking of the meaning of every word. I don’t say it as a rote memorized collection of words. It is a great help to me. The Lord’s Blessings to all of my brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.
Waking up between 3 and 5 A.M. is the Holy Spirit's wake up call for you to pray. That feeling of something pressing in you is the very thing you may need to pray about. Phil 4:6-7
I would be careful to speak for the Holy Spirit saying he’s the one waking you at a certain time for a certain reason.
Thanks for speaking to this. I've had the same debilitating experiences. This is my regular life. But God remains sovereign.
Dear Christian, this might be little help also
A video on TH-cam entitled " set faith on work at Christ for the killing of your sin by John Owen " / 7:36 mins.
What a terrific video. I hope it helps many. I have that 3 am wakeup occasionally too. Prayer really addresses that. When I was a young woman, I suffered from several serious panic attacks which then led to a period of mild depression. I wasn't a committed Christian at the time and went to a psychologist who I learned was a feminist. Big mistake. Her agenda didn't speak to my heart. So I stopped going after a few visits as I found them detrimental. I found the psalms so helpful during that time. I literally clung to them. I am happy to say I seldom suffer from anxiety now. It was an incredibly scary time in my life as it seemed to come out of nowhere. Thank you for your ministry. I've been a subscriber to your channel for several years. I wish I lived close to Pittsburgh as I am looking for a reformed Presbyterian church. I currently attend a non denominational church which is biblically based and has a flourishing ministry. I have found, though, my beliefs line up with Reformed Presbyterianism. Again, thank you.
Thanks so much for this video. I have felt both panic attacks as well as middle of the night anxiety. It's a blessing to know that I'm not alone, and that others have found ways to cope. Thanks for sharing!
I can totally relate. I have had panic attacks since the late 1980's and was totally housebound for two years due to them. I have found singing Jesus Loves Me to be so helpful and soothing. I am just starting to study through the Psalms. Best wishes to you with this
Thanks for this important topic, Pastor. I am a middle of the night prayer warrior myself. I find peace, sometimes, journaling prayers for others. This helps get my mind off of myself.
Whenever I’m feeling out of sorts I remember to trust in Him who made me and I pray that I continue to evolve into the servant He purposed me to be, because I know without question that whatever I might think would help in any given situation, His plan will be infinitely so much better!😊❤️🙏
Thank you Pastor. I had about a two year period of intense anxiety. Praise God He delivered me from this through much prayer. During this time I learned that a good many people suffer from anxiety. The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod magazine (Lutheran Witness) actually dedicated a whole issue to Anxiety last year, and how the church should respond. Thank you for your bravery on this issue.
You are now officially my POD-Pastor. Thank you for the great biblical encouragement and guidance.
Amen. We Trust in the Sovereignty of God
Agree about the Lord's Prayer and 23rd Psalm, and ask the Lord first to help you believe them and while reciting them you have to concentrate on the words.
Great video!
Great video! Praise the Lord the church my wife and I go to has great elders. I have sought counselling from the elders. I totally cut out alcohol. I work out 3-4 times per week. I still drink tea but not as much. I totally agree not to send anyone to a secular counsellor. In 2000 I had a boss in the Air Force who wanted to send me to mental health. I fought it. I went once just to satisfy him but I never went again. Thankfully that boss retired a year later and I had orders to go to a military base in England. If you’re in the military, I would recommend seeing a pastor or elder of a local church instead of a military chaplain unless that chaplain is biblically grounded.
Great reminders and advice: an edifying video. Thank you brother!
Thank You Pastor! You addressed an issue in my life; and, you offered excellent counsel.
Thank you this is tough subject and it’s something that I’ve had often on a good friend of mine who is one of the pastors at a church I was going to. He told me what helped him was. He said let’s look at your diet and he said let’s try this cause it’s his diet. I have a very low carbdiet it’s been in the last month miraculous the change so it’s cause things are hard I work two jobs to pay some bills we got behind on during Covid and wife medical bills so I work two jobs my wife’s home with some of her issues and so I’m probably drinking way too much coffee and I sleep not as much as I should but this is been a star. This is really helped thank you for hitting this subject. It’s I think it’s something we need to talk about more.
Wow God bless you for this message , Pastor . I feel relieved knowing what I must do . Also that the Lord God Almighty is in control.
Thank you, Matt! A really important topic covered in a very helpful manner. I can relate to what you've said here. Praise God for His help toward us in our weakness!
So good! I will remember my song in the night, let me meditate in my heart! (Psalm 77)
Thanks so much for this pastor. Really needed this encouragement, and will make use of the Psalms to handle my anxiety. Getting more sleep is difficult for me to do since I have to wake at 3:33 AM 5 days a week. May God continue to bless you and your church as well as your family!
This is very fitting and relevant to my circumstances. I can especially relate to going to Psalm 23 frequently (I also like Psalm 139), as well as the Psalms in general. God in His grace helped me through something like a dark night of the soul just last year with the Psalms (specifically Psalms 23, 61, 69, and 139). Anyway, that's more personal than helpful I suppose, but I also wanted to let you know your video is encouraging and helpful! Thank you! May our Lord bless and keep you.
Wow. Now that you’ve posted this, you’ve shot to the top of my must listen to channel. I’ve had anxiety and panic attacks for 20+ years. Praise God that His Grace has always gotten me through. ❤
Also, some suggested books…
Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest - Ed Welch
Counterfeit Gods - Timothy Keller
The Anxiety Cure - Archibald Hart
You better have a congregant or two that you can trust to make those repairs... They should be chomping at the bit to help out... How do you understand confessing anxiety as sin?
Great video, thank you!
I'm interested to hear your thoughts about sleep in a future video.
Coffee I love
Thanks for sharing this. Please make a video on sleep. I would love to hear a reformed perspective opinion on the matter. Especially a current one.
Can you do one on ptsd
Thank you for this video! Overthinking people like you and I and many others suffer from this plague.. Because of my wife’s absence due to my mother-in-laws hospitalization, I’ve been in a depression for the last six weeks, so this video really helped me when I needed it. I turn to overeating and procrastination and they just make it worse.
Sometimes it helps me if I reach out to help others. Maybe a little letter or gift or visit for your wife would lift her spirits and yours.
(I mean it in the sense that it can be beautiful to create something to look forward to in the nervous and uncertain times)
I watched your catholic and EO video, I understand will pray for you. who is on your shirt btw? nice icon. I'd love to see a video separating Calvinism and Islam. liked and subbed.
Hi pastor. I am diabetic and love coca cola!!!!! Because it has so much sugar it was ruining my life. It brought on panic attacks depression etc, because my nerves were being affected by my sugar intake. So much so i was on xanax and other anti depressants. After 10 years i realized the sugar was causing all of this. I cut the sugar and am managing my diabetes, and all my stress left. It was because my body couldnt handle sugar like before. I believe you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned caffeine. I am pretty sure if you cut way back on that coffee, your stress will subside. Sometimes our bodies let us know we can no longer drink or do things we did when we were younger. I used to think during that time that i am doing the same things i always did, how come i cant handle these situations now?? But i realized the situations havent changed, but my body has. Be encouraged, you are not alone!!! I love your ministry as well
I suffer from a neurological disorder called akathisia which causes chemical terror. It's a physical condition where the prain is disregulated and it causes unbearable terror like you are literally chained to a wall on doused in gasoline and burning alive but its happening inside you and you cant escape. There's nothing that can make it stop. It can last hours, days, months and even years. It's caused by a side effect from medications. Even anti nausea medications can cause it. Mostly psychiatric medications. It can last years even after stopping the medication. It's not just anxiety worrying about some thing but physical chemical terror. But the fear latches onto different things and makes those things ten thousand times worse. Self talk doesn't help because its physical. I litterally am so sick and in so much agony that it takes everything I have just to survive through each day. It is unbearable suffering every day screaming and groaning in agony. So sick and so weak. I cannot take care of myself and cant focus on anything. It's like being in a medieval torture chamber in your body and mind. Can't read or focus cant shower but maybe once a month. It's hell on earth. I can't remember many simple truths because my mind is utterly broken cant think or hold thoughts correctly in mind. So agitated and psychotic.
I just try to hold fast to Christ. The enemy uses this to bring all kinds of doubts, fears, accusations and confusion. Its hard when your life is crumbling and you can't even be faithful with little things like doing consistent devotions cant even go to church anymore.
I've been trying to hold onto 1 Corinthians 15:55-58 because I know that one day the agony will end when I see Christ at His coming or when I die. I pray and hope that it ends before that because I'm in literal agony bodily and mentally. I have no sense of well-being or productive life anymore. I was doing better in some ways for a few years and was slightly more functional but changing medication caused a severe setback and the last 5 months have been rapid decline. I used to love sitting and studying deeply the word of God and writing devotional commentary and just enjoying growing deeper. Now I'm just trying to hold on. It's hard. God is good. But I am weak in faith. I have church elders and deacons who come visit and pray with me and encourage me and I'm very grateful for that.
If anyone has weird mental symptoms while being on medications or after stopping please be careful. Doctor's do not recognize this condition as much as they should and they often just label it as worsening anxiety or depression but it's actually caused by the medications. Also you have to taper very very slowly or it can cause it or make it worse. Doctors wont tell you that. Most dont know its very under diagnosed.
If you are on psychiatric medication and have worsening anxiety or agitation and can't be still snd have weird feelings or intrusive thoughts please look up akathisia.
God bless.
Much love in Christ our great God and Savior.
Chris from California
Oh, my heart goes out to you!
@@Yesica1993 hi Yesica. Thank you sister. God is good and faithful in the midst of it. I don't know if you recognize my name and profile picture from other videos but I see your comments on all the same videos I watch. It seems like I see you everywhere. Just thought that was cool. I love pastor Matt. Such an encouraging brother in Christ. Keep fighting the good fight.
Here we all are on TH-cam.
There are dozens of audio Bibles at your fingertips. If you’re having trouble getting to sleep or going back to sleep try listening to the Psalms (or any other book of the Bible).
I can’t remember a time when that didn’t put me to sleep in less than 10 minutes.
My favorite readers are: Alexander Scourby (KJV) and David Suchet (NIVUK).
I just want to add
1. Listen to them
2. Reply with kind words
Priests and pastors do quite a lot.
Short prayer for anxiety:
Prayer:
Lord Jesus,
this battle belongs to you.
I will trust Your deliverance.
Thank You for helping me.
Amen
Hope this helps.
God bless.
Pastor John
I am hyper-sensitive to caffeine. If I even have a small amount, it increases my anxiety.
Having experienced this... I wish I had know how often this can be caused by a mineral deficiency and/or a cortisol (hormone) elevation issue.
Find a doctor who knows.
Can you recommend a cd or mp3 of Presbyterians singing or playing the psalms?
Crown and Covenant publisher has several good ones! All a capella psalms in four parts.
@MatthewEverhard awesome! Thanks bro.
I am not a high achiever. But I battle depression! I don't have a proper elder. No biblical government. The place where I come from in India, does not have proper biblical governance.
His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.
Panic attacks. Anxiety. Depression.
All evidence that you have the wrong yoke or burden.
I know how you feel. I used to be under that yoke, and used to try to carry that burden. No more. Come and see.
You have Anxiety because your not honest with yourself you’re divided against yourself. You know the truth, but you ignore it because it will be the end ministerial career. So you think, it’s not, it is just the beginning. But too you it is, and you reject truths that you come upon that threaten your theological code. Your body is rejecting itself because your fighting God. You can stop and follow Gods truth that you ask for in prayer in private, or continue on and die. Twice. Do you think Jesus ever had anxiety? or the apostles? No, return to that place in time of the message that was being conveyed and you can regain your proper place with God and your life.