How to Deal with Anxiety During Taxing Seasons

"Knowledge of God makes no difference in a life unless it is lived out." Those words stood out from a bible commentary I read recently - and it was like they were written in bold letters, leaping from the page and straight into my heart. Just the night before, I had had a talk with God asking Him, "Why can't you just transplant faith into me without me going through any trouble?" I imagined God downloading a faith program into my heart and mind, much like in the movie "The Matrix". And just like the hero in the movie, I too could see what the enemy was going to do beforehand and calmly defeat him. No struggling to keep anxiety, worry, doubt, fear or discouragement at bay. I would always be confident that I was going to win in the end - no matter what happened. I thought about the commentary's words again: "Knowledge of God makes no difference in a life unless it is lived out." In a flash I saw this truth: How do people learn best? Do they learn best by hearing, by reading...or by personal experience? See, it is good to read bible promises like "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" but unless you personally experience God's provision during a tough time, they are just words on a page. With personal experience however, God's word lives in your heart. Now I have to admit that God's "personal experience" exercises do not always feel good to your flesh. But a few principles can make it easier to endure them and deal with anxiety and other negative emotions during taxing seasons: 1. Remember that God is always on your side. He is not some disinterested entity, watching you struggle for His own amusement. He is right in the struggle with you. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9) 2. Go to your "Faith Place" several times a day. This is the place in your imagination where the things you are hoping for live. Grab hold to the vision of what God has promised you. Write down that vision and meditate on it often. Whenever you feel worried or anxious, go to your "faith place" where your mind can receive refreshment and encouragement. 3. Operate in wisdom and understanding. Read the bible every day so that you can grow in knowledge of God's character. Obey his commands, for in Deuteronomy 4:6 God's people are advised "for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." God's people were never meant to blend in; we were meant to stand out by demonstrating His wisdom and understanding in the way we live. Standing calm and confidently in the midst of taxing seasons (even when you don't feel like it) is a great testimony to those who do not yet know God. And imagine what an even greater testimony you will have when you can tell them how God came through for you! 4. Keep a Praise journal. Write down every blessing God has brought into your life, great or small. Write them down as soon as they occur. When you doubt, bring out your journal so you can see God's handiwork in your life. The Israelites in the bible stumbled because they forgot how God had worked in their lives before and the miracles he had done for them. But with your journal, you have a means to keep God's deeds in sight so that they stay in your mind. I hope these tips are useful for you and that you send me your praise report of how God brought you through a taxing time! Be blessed with health, healing, and wholeness, Kimberly Taylor Author/Christian Life Coach of the Take Back Your Temple program P.S. When it comes to weight loss, do you often know what you should do but have a hard time doing it? I struggled with this issue on my own weight loss journey, but I discovered that “Nothing is different until you think differently.” The value of the Take Back Your Temple program is that you will learn how to think differently through using Biblical keys to overcome obstacles. You’ll discover how to win the Spiritual and mental battle that often causes us to become inconsistent and get off-track on our weight loss journey. Join a community of like-minded Christians losing weight and keep it off. Click here to learn more about the Take Back Your Temple program