Welcome my friend come on in & we’ll enjoy a cuppa together. I’m having a cup of coffee, which is said to be good for our overall health, accompanied by a toasted slice of gf Almond, Apricot & Coconut loaf. Delicious!
Today’s post is the third in our series on dealing with Anxiety.
Patience in Quietness
Have you noticed that as human’s we are an extremely impatient lot?
Last week we reflected upon the positive effects aging can have upon our Anxious Thoughts
And I agree with these research findings to a certain extent.
But there are times when I find myself getting impatient & anxious in pursuing quietness!
I know that sounds such a contradiction in terms ‘impatient & anxious in quietness‘!
So let me define the type of quietness I’m talking about here.
The quietness I’m focusing upon is the quietness of the soul.
That quietness of spirit that comes from a soul assured that God is in control, no matter what comes.
That undisturbed state of mind & confident trust in God for a situation’s outcome.
My prayer
For decades my prayer has been to come to that place in God.
That place of being able to sit in His immovable peace & quietness, no matter what comes my way.
And I don’t mean in a disassociative way but rather being able to be confident in a non anxious & undisturbed peace of mind.
Knowing that my heavenly Father has the situation in His capable hands & there is absolutely no need to be concerned.
My lovely hubby grimaced when I shared this desire & prayer with him years ago.
Because being opposite in temperament to me, as shared in New Delhi & Chai tea…, he could see that I would be sent many opportunities for this prayer to be answered.
“No pressure, no diamonds.” — Mary Case
And he was right!
You see my friend, God’s peace & assurance is always available to us, especially to those that love Him.
However, we actually have to allow God’s peace & assurance in, in each & every situation that is presented to us.
The Perfect Gentleman
For Jesus is the perfect gentleman He won’t force His peace & assurance upon us.
In other words we need to make a choice; either to give in to anxious imagings or hand those concerns over to our Heavenly Father through Jesus, trusting Him for the outcome.
Over the last few weeks we have reflected on how we do this…
And reiterated that its coming to our Heavenly Father in prayer first & foremost, before our concerns morph into anxiety.
Entering the prayer chamber
However, we also found that anxiety can sneak up on us before we realise it, causing our peace of mind to be totally disturbed.
And when in that mindset of anxious & racing thoughts it can be really difficult to quieten ourselves enough to pray.
So we need some practical strategies…
I find the following strategies work for me, they may be helpful for you too.
Daytime strategies,
I go for a walk in nature, there’s something about God’s creation that really calms anxious thoughts & before I know it I find myself chatting to God as I walk.
Or if weather doesn’t permit a walk…
I grab a cuppa, treat & my journal then sit & write out my thoughts. And before I realise it my thoughts have turned to prayer.
Night time strategies,
If my anxious thoughts have me tossing & turning in bed, I get up.
I then either read for a little while which distracts my mind long enough to be able to then bring my concerns to God in prayer.
Or
I journal out my thoughts which is really a type of prayer because I always address them to the Lord.
Being able to write out our concern & pray brings a wonderful clarity & quietness to the soul.
And is such a practical way to be able to see God working in our life & the lives of our loved ones as our concerns are addressed.
It also helps our impatience to see that God is actually working to answer our prayers ever so patiently.
I’d love to hear some of your strategies my dear friend. You’re most welcome to share.
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
or in Prayer
© 2021 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog, All Rights Reserved. Photo by S Migaj on Pexels.com
Featured at Lauren’s Grace & Truth LinkUp,
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& Tammy’s Grace & Truth Link Up
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I appreciate this series. Anxiety & panic attack friend here. At times I cry in the grocery store if there are to many people around me. When there’s to much stimulus going on I can’t process. I’m not fond of going out of my house, but I do go out. And now that it’s time change here in the US, seasonal affect disorder affects me. When spring time change comes I’m fine. I find your words really helpful friend.
Visiting today from Let’s Have Coffee #18&19
Thank you my friend, I think you’re doing an amazing job Paula in managing your anxiety, it’s not easy to go out into a world full of stimuli.
Especially when living with chronic health conditions as well which also lowers our capacity in so many ways.
You’re an inspiration! Bless you 😊
Thank you sweet friend. You are a blessing to me .
Awww, thank you Paula. 💝
I need to start journaling my prayers again. You’ve provided the second nudge this week! Thank you for the tips and for linking up with G&T.
Blessings,
Tammy
You’re most welcome Tammy! ☺️
This is so true, Jennifer, “We actually have to allow God’s peace & assurance in, in each & every situation that is presented to us.” Drawing near to God in prayer, pouring our hearts out to Him, and receiving His love, grace and wisdom – makes all the difference.
Thank you! That it does Lisa ☺️
Reading scripture on my front porch is my signal to be still and know. I’d like to hop into your photo!
Isn’t it lovely, i love the tranquility of that scene.
Glad you have a time of practicing quietness with the Lord on your front porch Debbie ☺️
Going for a walk always quiets my anxious thoughts (and unusually end up praying while I walk). If I awake during the night, I pray for loved ones.
I love your strategies Anita! 😊
Jennifer,
Oh, the art of quietness. When attained, it is such a beautiful event. I do believe it takes practice.
Like you being outside close to God’s handiwork on display does it for me almost every time. I also journal letters to God.
Thank you for sharing with Grace & Truth. I will be featuring this post on Friday at Embracing the Unexpected. Your blog post received the most click for October.
Awww, thank you Maree! How humbling & at the same time encouraging. 💝
He whispers peace …
That He does Linda 😀
Anxiety tends to happen to me once I lie down in bed. I tend to do one of two things: I either pray for people who come to mind; or I get out of bed to read. Both will center my thoughts on God and His greatness and ability to handle whatever life may bring my way. I appreciated your thoughts on handling anxiety as surely the pandemic has brought anxiety to more people and this is sure to be a help.
Thank you Joanne! Yes the pandemic has heightened anxiety across the globe to a fever pitch as never before in our lifetime.
There will be a lot of pandemic post trauma mental health issues for years to come… placing our focus on the Prince of Peace is wise & comforting.
Jennifer, yes, yes, and yes to getting out in nature. There’s something about a breeze blowing across our faces, sun warming our skin, and the beauty of God’s creation that calms an anxious spirit. It looks like our hearts have been in similar directions lately. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your insights on dealing with anxiety.
God’s creation is such a rejuvenating place Jeanne. Yes, I noticed that our hearts are in a similar direction from your posts 😉
Jennifer, thought-provoking post. Quietness comes easy for me. A drive in the country. A soak in the hot tub. xo
Thank you Susan,, I like your strategies! 😀