Stress Center Peer Support

I am so scared that this will never end. That i will spend the rest of my life in fear and running away from my thoughts that never seem to stop. That i will always wonder "will i sleep tonight" I am afraid that i will never just sit and feel normal again instead i am waiting for the feeling of doom and gloom to come over me and make it impossiable for me to function. I want this to go AWAY and i have only had it severly for 1 month anybody else feel this way?

i felt like that 9 months ago and got help, and felt great after medication and a few months of therapy... then if kicked back up again - but only becuase I am facing the last thing I was hiding from - flying.

It will get better. Stop wondering why things are the way they are and simply start thinking about something else. Go for a walk and count trees, anything... anything that gives you a break from the endless what if thinking - even if its only for a short time. Then, the breaks get longer and longer - and you'll start feeling better and better. Using this program.

I was going to hide this and well the thing is i can't i know that some responses may be very negative and angry but that is okay with me. The problem i am having is not about my past actions its is about a present decison i feel i have to make. I go to a conservitive church i have for years they Believe that women should wear skirts my pastor (whom i respect a great deal) preaches on it once a year. I have always skipped or not paid attention to the sermon well this time i really did becasue i was in the mist of anxity and was seeking comfort from God and from his people and his word and it was working but i was all keyed up about this sermon my fater did not raise me to believe this. In any case i can't get it out of my head since about two weeks ago i have sought advice everyone says that its satan attaking me so that i will run from God I FEAfearR THAT God wants me to change my attire to skirts only to show humility and my willingness to serve him but then the does not sit well with me becasue I don't think that wearing skirts all the time is biblical i think that the bible asks us to be modest to be sober minded well excatly what I Timothy 2:9-10: "In like manner women also in decent apparel: adorning themselves with modesty and sobriety, not with plaited hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly attire, But as it becometh women professing godliness, with good works."
says SO that being said i can't let it go and now God seems so far away and when i pray all i can think is he is not listing because i won't do this for him. what if i don't do this then my anxitey will never go away, what if i can't sleep at night (which has occured) what if i never find my comfort in God again. sO THAT BEING SAID any suggestions on how i can stop the circular obssevie thinking in my head? I just want to be normal.

Lael, my dear friend, NOW I understand just where you are at and what you are going through. I'm glad that you decided to post your situation! It helps to know what the deep"issues" are when you are praying for someone and I am and will continue to do so.
I will not pass any judgement on anyone nor will I express my personal beliefs on the matter of women and how they are to dress. What God is leading me to tell you is to read the book of Romans. This book focuses on the law vs the spirit. Pray for complete understanding and I will pray for you too Remember this, God loves you and he IS NOT the God of dispute nor chaos, nor is he the God of Confusion and fear. You are "more than a conqueror" and there is "no condemnation to those who are in Christ".
I know this probably doesn't help right at this very moment, and I wish I could give you a great big hug, so consider this post as a big hug Take care and God bless you, you will be okay!
Robin

Lael,
I'm so sorry you are having such a rough time right now. When I was in such a terrible state with anxiety I felt God had forsaken me. Although I know now he was there all the time carying me thru. It did feel as though He was so far away. This program I feel was a God send to me, stick with this, the program is truly a blessing and you will see in time how wonderful it is. You can do this, you can overcome this and have that peace and contentment you are longing for. I wish you the very best on your journey to recovery. I truly feel God hears your prayers, don't doubt that. He loves you.
Have you read the book Become a Better You by Joel Osteen? It is so positive I do highly reccommmend it. Much Love and Prayers
Angla

Religion is such a delicate subject and I know I must be careful here, but when you are anxious about something, even a belief that you may have, the anxiety is not coming from God. The anxiety is coming from your own creation. It comes from your resistance to the feelings of anxiety. If what you wear, Lael, determines whether God loves you or not - then we are all in a lot of trouble. Sometimes the Bible is interpreted so literally that one can not live in a relaxed manner. Your minister is a human being. He is not God. He brings his beliefs to the pulpit and his beliefs are not always accurate, and you don't have to believe everything that he says. You can disagree and still like what the church represents. It is also possible for you to find a minister of the same faith that meets your needs a lot better.

When you hear something - whether it comes from a minister, a doctor or any other person that you consider an authority - always, always ask yourself: "Is this my belief or theirs?" Your beliefs are just as valuable as anyone elses'. And, if your beliefs cause you distress, then perhaps you need to take a look at them and change them.

God does not judge us. We judge ourselves and that's where our pain comes from.

Boon, once again you have amazed me!! You ALWAYS find the right words at the right time. I personally was wondering if anyone would take my post negatively..lol darn anxiety Religion IS a delicate issue, and I too try and be careful about how I address this subject. You are a gem!!!
God bless,
Robin

Lael:
I understand that religion...religion and what it is teaching you is causing your anxiety...NOT GOD. God and religion are not the same for me ... believe it or not. All religions teach to be good people, not to hurt one another, not to steal, to go forth and do good in the world..GOd like behaviour...The Jewish religion teaches that Christ does not exist...but they are not wrong...I believe in Christ, but that doesn't make me wrong. We all believe in a higher power...something within ourselves, or external...does not matter. The only thing that matters is that we believe in someone, something that gets us through the day, hour, week, month, year,,,,etc. My point is that God exist in all of us and you can call him/her anything you want...you can imagine her/him as anything you want. The rules of a religion do not necessarily mirror GOD'S IMAGE of just being a good person doing good things for mankind. The bible is wonderful for alot of people...and please...I don't want to offend anyone...but your interpretation of what is right and wrong for yourself has to come from within. I don't think God judges us for being human in any way shape or form....I sincerely am sorry for your pain and anxiety...God is positive and wants you to be happy...NO MATTER what you wear. Mother Theresa never put any stock into how she dressed and as far as I'm concerned...she is a saint sent by God Himself. I really hope you are able to see beyond your dress atire and see God for the loving, accepting being he/she is.

robin (mother of 6) thank you for your rply i apprciate it so much.The part about the big hug did help a great deal thank you
thank you to all of you for the kind words i so apprciate your understanding. I want to share with you what i learned today. I learned that God may call me to were dresses all the time as some point in my life, that point is not right now. My dad pointed out to me that i can reach people for God being who he made me more so then i could if i suddenly changed so i could ease my mind. My biggest fear was that i was afraid to give something up. i could go on and on about how my mind took me in circles (we are all familiar with that are we not!) I just want to come out of this secure in Gods love.

Leal YEAHHHHH You did it girl!! you just made another step in progress!!! You came to a conclusion and you are okay with it! GOD loves YOU for WHO YOU ARE! and to be quite honest, he doesn't care about what you are wearing right now! He sees your heart! and that my friend is IN THE RIGHT PLACE!! Give your self a pat on the back for a job well done and for NOT letting anxiety have the upperhand
You're on your way
God bless and take care of YOURSELF(the wonderful person you are!!!),
Robin