Year: 2014

How To Stop Negative Thoughts

/ Prayer for Anxiety / 111 Comments
How To Stop Negative Thoughts Prayer For Anxiety Explains

Let God blow your fears away

In some ways negative thinking is protective. It prevents us from leaping into danger. The problem occurs when negativity dominates our lives and affects interpersonal relationships. So how do we stop negative thoughts?

Are the walls really crumbling down?

When things aren’t the way we like  we are tempted to paint a gloomy picture. So we think, “Well, if I assume the worst, I can’t get hurt.” If disaster strikes we want to be ready, so we adopt this anesthesia against bad news. The problem is this can lead to a constant state of hurt affecting those around you also. Let the truth free you instead.

Stop labeling

The first step in how to stop negative thoughts is to stop labeling. Labels get you stuck. So do your best to avoid saying things like:

  • I always make mistakes.
  • My life stinks.
  • I’m a horrible person.
  • There is no hope for my family.
  • He/she is always a problem.
  • I’m always unlucky.

None of these labels are true. Don’t be fooled into believing them.

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Stop projecting

Nobody can predict the future, so stop trying. If you keep telling yourself that you are going to fail, then you might just ruin any chances of success. Or if you keep imagining someone is going to end up in a mess, then you might not be able to see clearly in order to help. Try not to project doomsday upon the world.

Also, you can’t read other people’s minds, so avoid imagining negative thoughts into their heads. A person might not have returned your phone call or text for many reasons other than they hate you. Maybe they have a life to live first, right?

It’s not all about you

Remember, you can’t control the universe no matter how much you worry. This includes the bad things that happen. So much is out of your control. Accept this reality and free yourself from taking all the blame on yourself.

What are you really afraid of?

It’s time to dig a little deeper. What are your true fears? Coming to grips with these will help you even more than the coping mechanisms mentioned above. Perhaps you have had a traumatic experience in the past. Have you looked for a way to reconcile this?

Maybe you are afraid of failure, scared to try, or afraid of risk. Are you scared to live and trust in God? Maybe you feel that you deserve to control the world. Put away these self-centered ideas and begin to focus on something much greater: HOPE.

So what if you make a mistake? All people – great and small – have made great mistakes. But never give up hope. Life is an experience, not perfection. It’s often messy and sometimes even bloody. When a baby is born there’s pain, suffering, and blood. But then new life appears. And before all this goes great hope.

Prayer time

When you pray, let your negative thoughts blow away and unwind in God’s presence. Even if it takes a while, let his Spirit cleanse you of negativity. Then, when you’re ready, ask God for help. Ask him to put order into your thought process. The perfect order that he wants for you consists of faith, hope, and love.

When you stop to pray, you break out of the vicious cycle of negative thinking. Sometimes you have to force yourself at first. Begin with this simple prayer: “Jesus, I trust in you.” Repeat this over and over until you calm down enough to start seeing things more realistically.

Ask to be freed of negativity. Ask with confidence, and ask in Jesus’ name.

Even in moments of true darkness you can run to him. Focus on God’s great compassion and mercy. He will help you accept things as they are without worry. He might not change your situation, but he is guaranteed to change your heart.

Jesus showed us the way. His prayer to his Father? Thy Will Be Done. Let God take control.

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Prayer for my daughter

/ Prayer for Anxiety / 58 Comments

Here’s a prayer that will inspire you to pray for your daughter. Cherish her and intercede on her behalf before our heavenly Father.

Even if your daughter is facing problems, believe that your prayer makes a difference. It may take time, but she is worth it. Let God know how much you care for and love your daughter.

Prayer for my daughter

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Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:6

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PRAYER FOR MY DAUGHTER

Oh heavenly Father,

I lift up my daughter to you. I love her so much. Please take care of her Lord. Cover her with your blessings and protection.

Let me let go of my desire to conform her to my will. Show me how to protect her and guide her into wisdom.

Let her know she is loved as she is. Let me love her also as she is.

Let her know she is indeed a princess in a Kingdom far greater than any fairy tale.

A Kingdom with a Great King, who reigns with justice and mercy.

Make her strong in your Word. Let her be tender and gentle, and let your love flow through her life and her heart.

In Jesus’ holy Name,

Amen.

Prayer for my son

/ Prayer for Anxiety / 59 Comments

Here’s a prayer you can pray for your son. Remember, the intercession of a parent is powerful. Your prayers make a big difference.

Pray for yourself also. Ask God to guide you in parenting. It doesn’t matter if your son is a child or adult — the example you provide is a constant influence. When your personal walk is closer to Christ, your son will be exposed to the Lord even more.

It’s not a matter of force or convincing. Instead, it depends on love and trusting deeply in God’s ways. If you show this example to your son, then you’ve done your best. It’s all in God’s hands. He alone is the owner of grace.

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PRAYER FOR MY SON

Dear loving Lord,

When he was just a baby I held him in my hands as you hold me tenderly in yours.

Teach me to trust and not fear for my son. As I am your child, so is he.

Let me give him up to you. Show me all authority comes only from you Lord. Make me a true authority by making me a servant.

Let me be strong for his sake. Teach me to discipline, not with anger or frustration, but with wisdom and love. Let me treat him as you treat me. Accepting, forgiving, guiding, Letting me be me.

Jesus gave his life for me. Let me give up my desires, my plans and my image of my son.

Instead let your will be done.

Watch over him, protect him. Let him come to know you. Dear loving Lord, let him find you as a friend and Master. Let him find joy in your Word.

Through your mercy and grace,

In the name of Jesus,

Amen.

How Do I Deal With Toxic People?

/ Prayer for Anxiety / 59 Comments
Prayer for Anxiety Asks How Do I Deal With Toxic People

Discover how much prayer can help.

We all have these kinds of people in our lives at one time or another. It’s someone that makes life unbearable. Sadly, this person is often a family member or a close friend. Let’s see how to deal with these difficult relationships from psychological and faith based perspectives.

What Defines A Toxic Person Or Relationship?

Maybe the best way to describe a toxic person is someone you don’t want to be around at all, and you hate them (and maybe yourself) for it. This is not a formal psychological diagnosis as different personality disorders can lead to toxic behavior. Here are some signs that a person’s behavior is toxic:

  • Extreme selfishness
  • Always the victim
  • Aggressive or threatening behavior
  • Overreacts easily
  • Suffocating perfectionism
  • Overly dramatic
  • Controlling behavior
  • Jealously or envy
  • Hyper-critical
  • Extreme pessismism
  • Obsession with being sick
  • Drug or alcohol abuse

Your Reaction Helps Identify Problems

How you respond to the person is a key part of identification and healing. Some signs that you are in a toxic relationship are:

  • Dread or fear of the person
  • You feel emotionally drained
  • You feel frustrated by your own reactions as much as the toxic person’s behavior
  • Every time you think things are better, they fall apart again
  • You end up compromising your values trying to cope
  • Endless arguments of repeating the same thing over-and-over
  • You feel that there is a battle for control between the two of you

How To Handle Toxic Relationships: Psychological Perspective

First of all, if you are in any sort of danger, ask for help right away. The National Domestic Violence Hotline website can be found here.

The main reason people act irrationally is usually due to an unhealed emotional wound. Maybe they were abused or neglected or perhaps they were raised by a toxic person. These wounds make us all react in ways we don’t want to.

People who care for parents that have Alzheimer’s disease often get frustrated. But when they understand that it’s a disease process, they can be more objective. This type of objectivity can help you navigate toxic relationships.

Meditate on this thought: His/Her irrational behavior is based on a past wound or weakness.

Try not to argue, and avoid interrupting the other person. Let them talk it out, even if what they are saying makes no sense at all. Remember, silence does not mean that you agree. Toxicity thrives on argument; so don’t feed it.

Stop making things “easy” for the other person or yourself. Compromising your convictions and values only makes things harder down the road. Set healthy boundaries and have the courage to walk away until the smoke clears. In some cases, this might mean walking away from a relationship altogether. It might also be wise to seek professional counselling.

How To Handle Toxic Relationships: Faith Based Perspective

Romans 8:28 says everything that happens to us is for our own good if we love God. This can be a hard pill to swallow when exposed to toxic people. However, think about this — if a person is toxic, it means they are sick. In Mark 2:17, Jesus said he did not come to heal the healthy, but those who are ill with sin.

Toxic behavior is often under some kind of evil influence. It could be the result of past sin, abuse, or even a demonic presence. The best way to combat this is through prayer. Pray incessantly for the other person. Separate in your mind the behavior from the person.  Let God soften your heart while he strengthens your character, even as you are being harmed. This is true Christ-likeness.

It requires a lot of hard praying to deal with these people.  But when they look for conflict, they will encounter God’s love in your heart.

Our trials produce patience. Many times the presence of a toxic person in your life is the best way for you to develop the fruit of the Spirit such as peace, kindness, and self-control. The world will tell you to retain your dignity at all costs; Jesus will tell you to love your enemy. Ask God to mold your heart through your trails.

Project Of A Lifetime

These people are the most needy in our lives. It may take years before they are ready to change. But never give up hope. This doesn’t mean you have to remain physically close to the person, but you can keep knocking on God’s door asking him to change things. Maybe you can’t leave the situation. Here, you become completely dependent on God’s mercy and love. Let his Spirit do the fighting for you.

You might think, “Why do I have to waste my life for this person who doesn’t appreciate what I do or feel for them? It’s so unfair!” Only God’s justice and mercy are perfect. And who are the just? Asking for mercy, he is the tax collector who does not even feel worthy to lift up his eyes up to heaven (Luke 18:9-14); she is the sinful woman washing the feet of Jesus with her tears (Luke 7:36-50).

The answers are never simple. Consider all things in the light of prayer. Talk with your pastor, priest, or spiritual guide. Remember, when we rejoice in our trials and sufferings, God’s grace is certain to shine through.

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Resources: Article at PsychCentral.

If you need to: Cry Out To God

/ Vincent Chough / 9 Comments
Cry out to God

God always hears your cry

There are times when you have reached the end of your rope. Or maybe you are passing through a desert. Or you might find yourself in a den of ravenous wolves. In these types of circumstances, you can rely on one of the most important forms of prayer of all : The Cry.

Our Examples

There are many episodes in the Bible where a person or a group cried out to God for deliverance. While living in bondage in Egypt, the Hebrew slaves cried out to the Lord, and he heard their cry (Exodus, chapters 2 and 3). This crying out moved God and led to one of the most important liberations in history. The nation of Israel was delivered. Passover, the prequel to Easter, was established and the Law was given. It all started with crying out to God.

When facing a large invading army, Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, remembered the Lord’s faithfulness. He reminded his people: “If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence… and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.” (2 Chronicles 20:9)

In Gethsemane, when facing his crucifixion, Jesus cried out to his heavenly Father.

In our lives we all will face some kind of oppression or threat eventually. It can take many different forms, some even life threatening. It might be economic hardship, illness or a great personal struggle.

In these extreme cases you have a most powerful resource: your cry out to God.

Why Is It Necessary?

Why does God wait for your cry? If he is merciful and kind, why does he wait? Again, we can go back to the example of the Hebrew slaves in Egypt. Their deliverance was of monumental importance in the history of salvation through Jesus Christ. The situations in our individual lives are no different. Our greatest crises are of monumental importance to our personal history of salvation. God always has a bigger and better plan.

This does not mean that everything will turn out exactly as you like. The Israelites ended up wandering around in the desert for 40 years after exiting Egypt, and only the following generation entered into the Promised Land. However, a greater meaning was established in their crying out to God.

When you get to the point where you must truly cry out, there is a huge advance in your walk of faith. You go to him with all your need and suffering and anguish. You throw yourself at the feet of his mercy. You learn to depend upon his will and his way. Here you find great meaning to your trials because, through communion with God, you seek the most important answers in your life. You are exposed, naked and vulnerable before that which is all powerful.

Celestial Results

Sometimes things turn out exactly, or nearly exactly, as you ask. Nearly always additional unforeseen blessings are heaped on top of it all. After all, he is a good and generous God.

The answer is not always in what you are asking for specifically, but instead the answer can be found in the cry itself. God’s response is guaranteed. And if your cry is sincere, and if it comes from deep trust, then you enter into a higher level of understanding and grace. Without the bondage there could be no Passover. Without the crucifixion, there could be no resurrection. All things lead back to God for those who put their hope and trust in him. In all things, God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).

So when the darkness comes and when you are not sure; when the enemy is advancing and arrives at your doorstep – cry out. Lift up your voice to the Lord with all your heart, strength and soul. This is the deepest form of prayer. Your Father in heaven always hears your cry.

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KEY CONCEPTS: The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.” (Exodus 3:7)

→ The heartfelt cry out to God is a cry for deliverance.

→ This cry not only advances your faith, but it also advances God’s plan for your life.

→ Always remember the Lord’s faithfulness.

This post is an excerpt from the Ebook, Be With Him, Be Like Him,

available on Amazon today.

How to pray

 

 

 

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