Stress Center Peer Support

Hi everyone, I thought I'd share a little something with you all that I am finding to be very helpful in my search to become a better me, through Christ that lives in me
I have recently purchased a book entitled "Character Makeover" by Katie Brazelton and Shelley Leith. All I can say is WOW WOW WOW!!! I have to warn you though, that if you should decide to purchase the eight week Live coach book, be ready to face some real deep issues I must admit that I didn't realize some of the ugly personality traits, that I possess..so, needless to say, I've been humbled. However, that is a good thing! Because as long as I am being convicted of these things, I KNOW THAT CHRIST IS STILL WORKING ON ME and that makes me thankful and beyond HAPPY!!!! Let me share with you an excerpt from this book. It was really theraputic and helped me to put things into perspective, CHRISTS perspective.. Now, as you read this, I've added some of my own battles, so it became more personal to my situations. I am willing to let it all out here in hopes that it will touch your lives as well as give you an idea of how you to, can write it all out in your own words. I challenge you to try it.

Rewrite 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 in your own words, inserting your name and listing some of the specific weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties you are experiencing.

here's my example
But my heavenly Dad said to me, "I have plenty of grace for you, Robin, for my power is all the more powerful when your collapsing," therefore I can get excited when I feel like I can't go on, because I know that's when Christ's power kicks in. That is whey in the power of Christ, I can rejoice when I get a panic attack, when I'm feeling depressed, when I get scary thoughts,when I'm having problems dealing with my older children, having marital problems,feeling stressed when I'm dealing with my two year old twins, when I'm dealing with my "poor me" attitude, when I am feeling angry, insulted, rejected and alone. It's when I'm at my weakest that I give up and let Christ take over, and his power in me takes over.

my concluding prayer is:
I worship YOU. With all my heart I mean that. You are God and I AM NOT! Help me let go of the masks I wear to bolster my self-esteem. Help me to stop covering my sins with various types of lies. Strip away all my excuses for not obeying you. I want to have the beauty of a lifelong learner. Show me where I should serve, and I'll do what you say. Tell me when I should speak, and until you do, I'll WAIT. Take all my broken places and transform them into humility so that I can be most useful to YOU. Amen

God is truly in control when I allow him to be! He did not give us a spirit of fear, but of love and of a sound mind. He said it, I BELIEVE IT!

Blessings to all of you
Robin

Hi Robin:
That is really helpful! And quite beautiful to think on.
Some very good points there.
Sure appreciate it!!

Thanks very much.
MaryJane

That Book sounds awesome! I was wondering what your story is with anxiety? How you have got through it. My husband and I have been married for 3 years and were pastors of the youth ministry for a large church. I am looking to talk to anyone who knows what I am going through and believes in Jesus. I feel like I am all alone on this thing and just seeing that you area mom of 6 really inspires me.

Hello Girl4God welcome aboard! You made a very good decision joining this website, I've been a member for almost two years, and I don't know what I would have done if God hadn't directed me here! He is an Awesome God! You asked what my story of anxiety is, so I will copy and paste my very first post here. Sorry it's so long, but it's my story and I felt the need to "let it all out" lol..so here it is


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Posted August 07, 2007 02:48 PM
Hello All, my name is Robin and I've been suffereing with Anxiety,Depression,OCD and panic attacks for nearing all of my life! I am 38 and have been blessed with SIX children!

To begin telling my journey through it all, I will say that as early as I can remember having anxiety was probably five years old. I have a twin brother and we were inseperable! We were in the same kindergarten class together and when he had to go to his "special classes", I would clam up and shut myself out of everything until he came back. It would make me feel sick to my stomach when he would leave. ( That would all change when we became teenagers, and brothers were such a neusance LOL..)
anyway, I can recall having the 'butterfly" feeling and nausea way back then.
Without going into to much detail, I have also been diagnosed with PTSD(post traumatic stress disorder). This all came from things I've experience in my life! Not just one traumatic experience, but several things that just added up. Here's the condensed version ..LOL...My mother was diagnosed with Paranoid/Schizophrenia when I was 12..(That's the main reason I suffer with anxiety today, I have a constant fear of becoming like her and it scares me!! I sometimes fear that I am paranoid while have panic attacks, has anyone else experienced that kind of symptom??? please let me know) I've been through a 17 yr. abusive relationship in which I have four older kids from that marriage. I am now married the second time and just had twin boys in 2006( I'm not always sure that it is full blown anxiety with possible PPD??) My husband now is a gem however the relationship between him and the older boys have been rocky! So much that just a month ago I sent my youngest(of the first four) back to live with his bio-father..I have been guilt ridden ever since. He didn't want to move back there(although he loves his father and they have a great relationship) he is now away from all of his other siblings and I am angry with my husband now as I feel he can be selfish and not understanding when it comes to the older ones. I'm currently dealing with alot of anger, bitterness, anxiety, fatigue(with twins ya know)depression etc . etc. etc. However I don't want to try meds(been there done that didn't like it) so I'm posting here to get some advice! I do have the "program" and have had it for two years..I LOVE IT and don't know what I'd do wthout it. I'm just having a set back and need to get back at it again for a refresher. forgive me for my ramblings, I just needed to vent, and what other place better than here, right?? I have more to say and ask, but I'll hold off right now as my time on the computer is limited to when the babies are nappin ahhhhh..my time LOL..Thank you all for listening, take care &God bless."


Girl, I DO believe that if it not be for anxiety, I would not have surrendered myself completely to God. So with that being said, I have to look at anxiety as a blessing in a way.(I didn't think I'd EVER be able to say that, sometimes, it still frightens me I've learned so much about myself in the last two years it just amazes me! I am totally convinced now that it's all in the mind and THROUGH Christ Jesus we have the POWER to OVERCOME ANYTHING!!! I'm not in any means saying that it's easy to do. It's all about my Faith and total committment to drawing closer to God. The more I read the Bible, pray, worshipping, helping others, the more I see the anxiety lifting. Today, for example, I've been feeling it in my stomach. A bit nauseas and light headed. I've had numerous stessful phonecalls today, babies are a bit hectic and I'm tired, HOWEVER, I know that there is little time for rest and reading when I have twin two year olds running around, soo...I will "float" with the anxious feeling, pray and know that in just a few hours they will be in sweet slumber and Mommy will dive into the word and arm myself to do it all over again tomorrow I find that anxiety rears it's ugly head when I am knee deep in responsibility and I'm overwhelmed with it. In other words, I'm completely tired and STRESSED! It's important to take a rest from all of our daily responsibilities! I mean seriously, God rested too!!! Think about it! He knew what was good for us, hence the "sabbath day rest". Our bodies NEED IT, and so did God! Every issue that arises in our life, NO MATTER WHAT IT IS can be fixed or healed through reading the "word". Every life issue can be found there and there is ALWAYS a remedy I know you understand that What a Gift you and your husband have God bless you both!!!! Hey, if you'd like to "PM" me with ANY questions, etc. feel free! I hope this explains some things..I will be praying for you! Take care, God Bless and P.U.S.H. (Pray Until Something Happens )
Robin

WOW awesome post Mom of 6. I really loved reading your enthusiam and getting excited about what God is greating ready to do! Your Faith is so beautiful.

Blessings

mom of six,

I have to say you are very inspiring to me. You not only were blessed with six children but obviously patience lol. Your story is going to help so many people just as it has me and my anxiety isn't that bad anymore. Only from time to time, like at the ER sat. night. Only a little that night and fine since then. I just have too much going on in my life that I have now gave it all to God because I can't handle all the stress. I will keep you in my prayers for your whole family to become so close and also for your marriage to become STRONG through it all. God bless you!

Lord God, I am coming to you tonight to ask you to build Robins marriage, patience, and bring her entire family as one whole. I ask you to give her more her time, so that she can continue to grow closer to you. I ask you Lord to show her that you are always there for her guiding her even when she doesn't think anyone is listening to her that you are right there. I ask you to show her the values that she is instilling in her children because of her faith and for her to stay strong through it all. I ask this in your mighty name Lord Jesus, amen.

God bless you!

Thank you ALL so very much! I am truley blessed to have fellowship with such beautiful, spirit filled people! God has really been revealing himself to me and I'm in AWE of how much I've attained through his word and the lessons I have learned through anxiety AND last but certainly not least, this program
God has brought me TO the valley, so show me how to get THROUGH the valley! and the remedy to ALL OF LIFES valleys is written in the holy scriptures! He knows what we go through and he prepares us for the BATTLES. It's all about getting into the "word" and using the tools he has put in front of us. I'm not saying that I've got it all figured out(but than again, neither did King David ) I just live one day at a time, remembering all the promises and put my trust in the one that created me, predestined me and most of all LOVES me
Thanks for all the encouraging words and prayers, I still need them
Take care and God bless