Google's definition of Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain or a threat.

Likewise, Anxiety is listed as a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about an imminent event or something with uncertain outcome.

Reflecting back on situations when I have struggled with fear and anxiety, I find these two similar emotions have a common theme.  Every time I have felt consumed by fear/anxiety, I also feel like I'm not in control.  Like disaster is coming and there's nothing I can do about it.  But, thankfully there is!  As a Christian, I know (and sometimes the Lord has to remind me) He's in control not me.  I don't have to be in control because I know the One who is!

God will often use His Word (Scripture) to help me.  One of the first verses God gave me was dealing with fear.  I was going to fly on an airplane for the first time.  This may sound like no big deal to most, but for me it was HUGE!  I was terrified.  Negative thoughts flooded me.  You know, the kind where you start to feel out of control.  In this whirlwind of fear God gave me this comforting verse!  Check it out:
"For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment."          2 Timothy 1:7 (Holman Christian Standard Bible).

Isn't God good!  He took care of the whole thing.  I had nothing to fear.

Basically, when I allow anxiety to be number 1, my ultimate goal is to get back to a state of calm/peace...where everything is as it should be again.  A comforting verse to remind myself during fear/anxiety battles is found in the book of Jeremiah 29:11 which says, "For I know the plans I have for you"-this is the LORD'S declaration- "plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
I don't have anything to fear!  God has plans for me.

Recently, I read a devotion on In Touch Ministries about worry and thinking patterns.  It reminded me how we can allow unhealthy thinking patterns, such as anxiety, to disrupt our lives.  I have a choice where my mind goes.  The Bible says to have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus.  If you're commanded to have it then seems to me you have a choice to obey.  I can choose to have the mind of Christ or let it be a jumbled mess of anxious thoughts and fear.
At times, when I've struggled with fear, it became a pattern for me to focus on the negative that "could" happen.  To change an unhealthy thinking pattern I believe it's important to "hide God's word in your heart so that you may not sin against Him."  If I'm thinking/meditating on God's Word then I'm not going to be anxious.

The best advice for overcoming anxious thoughts is actually a command from Jesus found in Matthew 6:25-33: 
"This is why I tell you:  Don't worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Isn't life more than food and the body more than clothing?  
Look at the birds of the sky:  they don't sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Aren't you worth more than they?
Can any of you add a single cubit to his height by worrying?
And why do you worry about clothes?  Learn how the wildflowers of the field grow:  they don't labor or spin thread.
Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these!
If that's how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won't He do much more for you- you of little faith?
So don't worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?'
For the idolaters eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.
Therefore don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own." 

Be still and know that He is God!  Psalm 46:10


Not only do I need to be aware of my thought patterns but also what I say.  Whatever is in my heart, that's what is going to come out of my mouth!  Fearful anxious thoughts will result in negative words.  Instead, I have to choose encouraging words, pray A Lot and choose to have faith.  Faith and trust that God is in control!

Thanks for stopping by!  If you find yourself anxious or afraid I encourage you to go to God's Word.

Blessings to you,
alisha


Disclaimer:  This is my testimony and belief.  It is not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any mental disorder, disease, fear or anxiety.  Seek a healthcare professional for any medical advice.

As God has led me on this healing journey I have a new appreciation and understanding for how He created our bodies.  We are physical, emotional, and spiritual beings who were created in God's image.  For me to understand our makeup as human beings I had to learn our bodies work as a system not the physical as a lone player then our spiritual and emotional as separate components.  Each one needs to be nurtured for "you" to be healthy.

For the sake of this blog I am addressing each component separately to hopefully give you a glimpse of the different things I do to keep a healthy me...physical, emotional and now spiritual.  As a Christian, to be spiritually healthy involves trusting the Lord...faith.  I struggled to let go of the fear and trust God to protect me.  The fear that gripped me and wouldn't let go was the fear of getting sick again.  Thankfully, when you seek God you will find Him!  God, in His wisdom, helped me understand this fear was a battle going on.  The fear was stealing my peace, my joy and I had to, "up my game" if you will,  in this spiritual battle.  I had frequently been bombarded with spiritual attacks of fear and anxiety.  Wait a minute!!  Time to put on God's armor!

Learning specifics about God's armor came about one day when, feeling rather helpless, I listened to a message from David Jeremiah .  The Bible says to (PUT ON) the whole armor of God.  You may be thinking, "How does one suit up in God's armor?" I'm glad you asked!   I pray it on!  The unseen spiritual and emotional are just as real as the seen physical.    Below is "The Warrior's Prayer" by David Jeremiah. 

The Warrior's Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Your warrior prepares for battle.

Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on

The whole armor of God!

I put on the Girdle of Truth!

May I stand firm in the truth of Your Word so I will not be a victim of Satan’s lies.

I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness!

May it guard my heart from evil so I will remain pure and holy protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.

 I put on the Shoes of Peace!

 May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel so Your peace will shine through me and be a light to all I encounter

 I take the Shield of Faith! 

May I be ready for Satan’s fiery darts of doubt, denial, and deceit so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.

I put on the Helmet of Salvation!

May I keep my mind focused on You so Satan will not have a stronghold on my thoughts.

I take the Sword of the Spirit!

May the two-edged Sword of Your Word be ready in my hands so I can expose the tempting words of Satan.

By faith Your warrior has put on the whole armor of God! 

I am prepared to live this day in spiritual victory!

Praying this prayer was a spiritual breakthrough for me.  I was still far from where I needed to be but God had me on the right road to heal and succeed!

Thanks for reading.  Please stop back by as I share my journey of overcoming fear!

Blessings,

alisha

disclaimer:  this is my personal testimony of what worked for me.  The information provided here is not intended to treat, diagnose, or cure anyone.  Seek a health care professional for advice.

Part of overcoming fear and anxiety is learning to trust Jesus.  When I let myself get side tracked that's when I find myself overwhelmed with fear.  Releasing, whatever that thing is that's making me so fearful, to Jesus is the trusting part.  My sister, Trisha taught me about releasing.  She said, "You may have to release it several times a day."  To release is to verbally tell Jesus I give this (whatever your struggle) to You, Lord.  Leaving it with God means you are not worrying about it anymore.  Let God handle it.

As God has brought me to encountering peace I am learning to keep my body healthy.   We all know eating healthy affects our body but, did you know food also affects your mood/emotions?   Just watch the calm child's behavior change after eating a candy bar!  I have minimized my intake of caffeine and sugar which can make anxiety worse.  With that note, I wanted to give you a few ideas of what a week of healthy dinners might look like.

DINNER:

Sunday:  Stir fry vegetables, spaghetti squash with baked chicken thighs. 

Cut spaghetti squash in half, scoop out seeds, rub with olive oil & salt.  Place in large casserole dish upside down, add 1/3 cup of water.  Bake spaghetti squash 425 degrees for 40 minutes(depending on size)  Watch last 10 minutes to avoid overcooking.  You want it to be a little firm, cooked just enough to fork out. When cool enough to handle, using a fork, pull the squash toward you.  It will separate into noodle form.  Finish cooking in bone broth, salt, garlic and paprika or cayenne.

While the spaghetti squash cooks bake chicken thighs.  Dab with a little grass fed butter, salt, cumin, garlic.  Bake covered for more juicy thigh.

Ideally have the vegetables cooking at the same time.  Chop your favorite stir fry vegetables.  I use carrots, zucchini, onion, mushrooms.
Once everything is done, plate placing the spaghetti squash as your base, then your chicken and veggies.  Great topped off with grass fed cheese.

Monday:  Power Bowl

Packed with nutrients thus named power bowl.  This meal is exciting because you can change out your toppings and have it several times a week.  Start with a base.  I use quinoa.  So in your bowl dip your quinoa, top with egg over easy, avocado and apple.  Power bowls usually have a dressing.  The last time we had this I used left over pumpkin soup as the dressing.  The family loved it.

Tuesday:  Eggplant Pizza

Peel and slice eggplant. (thickness according to your liking)  Salt and let sit for 15 minutes.  This will draw out moisture.  Dab with paper towel.  Spoon your favorite sauce onto each piece.  Marinara and pesto are great choices.  Now, load it up with cheese and your go to toppings.  I enjoy black olives and mushrooms.  Goes great with a side salad.

Wednesday:  Poached Salmon with Baked Sweet potato & Green Beans

Season salmon with salt, cilantro, garlic, paprika.  Cook in chicken bone broth until temps done.  Bake sweet potato, add dab of butter.  Cook green beans in a little water mostly steaming, salt & pepper to taste.  Serve green beans atop your sweet potato.  Drizzle Coconut Aminos or Bragg's Liquid Aminos for added flavor.

Thursday:  Crockpot White Beans with Sautéed Kale

Soak beans overnight in water and tablespoon apple cider vinegar.  In the morning rinse and place in crockpot, cooking all day.  Season with chicken bone broth, butter or olive oil and your favorite herbs/spices.
Sautee chopped onion and Kale in coconut oil until tender.  Dip out a bowl of white beans, add kale to top and grass fed cheese if you like.  Finish off with sauerkraut.

Friday:  Hamburger and Quinoa Salad

Quinoa salad is soaked & cooked quinoa mixed with cilantro, 1 chopped mango, 1 cucumber, 1/2 lemon juiced and salt to taste.  Serve with grilled hamburger using lettuce or gluten free bun.

Saturday:  Left overs

Pile up any leftovers and add a salad if there's not enough.  Top your salad with an egg over easy for extra protein, using the yolk for dressing.


I just want to make sure I'm feeding my family with nutrient dense foods that will fuel our bodies while promoting a healthy body, mind, spirit.  Thank the Lord He made the food we need to accomplish this endeavor!

Thanks for reading!  Please share your favorite healthy recipe.