Exercises To Calm Your Anxious Thoughts

Why do you worry?

It’s a real question, and one that takes some real thought to sort through.

If your worry is about trying to control things because you’re afraid, take that to the Lord. Ask God to forgive your lack of trust in his goodness and to grow your faith that he is good and that he cares for you. This is often a trauma response, and you might need to do some careful processing with a trained professional (Story Work and EMDR can be particularly helpful).

If you’re able to, find some verses that redirect your mind to God’s care and provision. If you have a Christian therapist, see if they’ll help you find a few that target the particular struggle you’re in. This is where we wage war with our Enemy, who wants us to doubt that God wants only good for us. We have to fight. If we don’t, we will tend to fall into worry, despair, or selfishness.

But maybe your worry is coming from your body. Our nervous systems can get stuck in fight or flight, causing us to feel anxiety in our very being. Then, our mind is scanning the environment and our circumstances to help us understand why we feel so anxious. We’re literally looking for something to worry about so that our mind can match our body. In this situation, it’s important to tend to your body. Slow down and breathe. Place a gentle hand on your heart and listen to your body. Once you feel more grounded, give yourself a good stretch and see if you don’t feel less anxiety.

You’re a whole being: mind, heart, and body. Anxiety is a signal that something is out of alignment and needs gentle care and attention. Don’t be afraid to slow down and give yourself what’s needed.