This seems like a no brainer but I am constantly surprised by Christians who don't pray, or struggle with prayer. You talk to God, it really is that simple. Some time I'll sit down and rant about prayer and the value of it, but I felt inspired to share a method I use that has helped me overcome a lot of the anxiety I struggle with.

First off anxiety is cause by being concerned with things you don't have control over or you are unwilling to do anything about. If it's something you won't do something about the answer is easy, get off your duff and do something about it or quit your whining. What about things we don't have control over, what do we do with that? I don't know of a method, that doesn't include mind altering drugs, that is 100% effective, mind altering drugs not recommended. The interesting question here is that if you can't control it why do you concern yourself with it?

That question, oddly enough, doesn't really help a whole lot so what do you do? I pray about it, well it's not that simple actually. I use a method that has worked for me in many cases. While I pray and my eyes are closed I envision myself before the throne of God. In my hands I have a wood box. I open it, with my mind because it's cool that I have telekinetic powers in Heaven, and start to place all the things I'm worrying about into that box. When I'm finished filling the box with my worries I close it and place it at God's feet. All the while saying things out loud and I finish by saying something to the effect of,"Lord I give these things to you because I have no control over them and you do, and I have faith that you have a plan and it will be in my best interest." Then I get up and walk away leaving my worries behind.

I will admit it is not a 100% solution, and I may have to do this more then once, but it works.

I was recently talking to my Wife and God showed me that we usually expect the gifts of God to come easy, or be given to us, but I don't think God just gives these things to us. We need to choose to have faith in Him and accept the gifts. I pray every night that God would give us faith, hope, allow us to walk in His joy, and peace. God has been good.

I pray that this helps you in your struggles and tribulations as they all have their purpose.

MC