THE GREATEST RELATIONSHIP
Simple Steps of Obedience:
One of the greatest challenges to walking life's journey with Anxiety, Depression, and Mental/Emotional struggles is the very process of simply "Getting Started" each day. A "step by step" approach is essential to not becoming overwhelmed with the prospect of the many unknowns of a new day. "Simple Steps of Obedience" refer to taking small steps, one at a time inviting God to be a part of your circumstances to accomplish "small," but significant accomplishments to begin the day, as well as continue throughout the day with the hope and strength of Christ in view. Within this process, another valuable tool is to actually write down these "Simple Steps of Obedience" or as we referred to them as "small accomplishments," keeping a list/journal which will give one a sense of just how much they have, indeed, accomplished that morning/day.
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Below are some examples of
Simple Steps of Obedience:
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Other Suggested Daily Activities:
-Daily Personal Hygiene (Try to shower daily, brush teeth) -Eat healthy Meals Regularly (Your body needs necessary nutrients - some foods such as sugar can greatly affect people with depression/anxiety) -Exercise regularly, even simply walking, light yard work (exercise is natural serotonin for the body) -Go for a ride with a friend, even if you don't stop anywhere. - Have a friend come by and take you to lunch. - Call and talk to a friend - Be active around your home (help with chores, etc.) - Watch a favorite movie or TV show - Even take a short nap! Yes, naps are permitted to give your mind and body the necessary rest it needs during times of anxiety and depression when it is working extra hard. |
Circles of Responsibility
Faithfully obeying God and entrusting Him with all other areas of our lives.
Healing Through Serving Others
As Taylor Arthur writes in her blog entitled, Bipolar Mama: Anyone Can Serve, "“The fastest way out of our own heads is empathizing with another. The fastest way out of bed is to answer a call. So, get out there! Be. Do. Serve.” Serving others can be an essential aspect to our own healing and recovery journey through anxiety and depression. Below you will find an "Acts of Service" log that can be used daily to track opportunities to serve others beyond our own trials, difficulties, and circumstances for the glory of God.
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Click on the "Acts of Service" PDF to download the blank log above.
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ACCEPT The TRUTH of God's Word:
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Click to download the file "Accepting the Truth of God's Word" as a Daily Affirmations reference resource and for both Journaling as well as the Bible Study Helps within this page.
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Daily Affirmations
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Click on the PDF to download the blank "Daily Affirmations" worksheet above.
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"Two Stories" Daily Journaling - use the "Two Stories" Journal Method to express your deepest feelings about your situation written as "Your Story" and then write "God's Story" which speaks the truth of scripture into your situation. Use the "Two Stories Journal Template" along with the Scripture References in the "Accept Truth" section above to complete "God's Story" as He speaks the truth and promises of His Word into your situation. "Talk to God" being purely honest, expressing raw feelings, no matter how difficult. One of the best ways to grasp hold of writing your prayers with vivid truth, is to spend time reading a Psalm each day, and you will be hard-pressed to find a psalm of David, where he is not blatantly honest with God. Journaling can be a great way to identify triggers that cause you to enter into episodes of anxiety and/or depression. When you are feeling depressed and/or anxious write down everything that happened just before, during, and after to help you for future reference.
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Download the FREE "Two Stories" Daily Journal template for your personal use along the journey:
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God Does Not Waste Our Suffering: He understands our struggles, He is with us in our troubles, He comforts us and sympathizes with our weaknesses, therefore, we may be able to comfort others along their journey. Just as God had a purpose in Christ's suffering for us, he too, has a purpose in our suffering, that our journey might be a testimony to His glory and goodness to others. For further insights on the "Principle of Suffering" please visit the "BIG QUESTIONS" section of our website and click on the "Why Suffering?" page. Click the link below:
http://www.havehopeforthejourney.org/why-do-we-suffer.html
http://www.havehopeforthejourney.org/why-do-we-suffer.html
Cultivating a Heart of Gratitude: "The Thankful List"
One of the greatest ways to begin to take small steps up out of the darkness of depression or to step down from a high state of anxiety into the peacefulness of God is to begin to thank Him for all that He has blessed us with spiritually, physically, materially, emotionally, mentally, and relationally. A most effective method for practicing this discipline is making what a wise mentor of mine called a Daily "Thankful List" of the things God has given you. The key is not be too broad, but to be both broad and simplistic including broad items such as your "Salvation in Christ" and simplistic items such as the "Warm Shower" you had this morning, or the fact that your "Car actually cranked on a frigidly cold morning." In focusing on these things, your mind is "re-directed" to all the things that you are blessed with each and every day that can be sources of encouragement. A good starting point is to make a list of (50) items and then once you've reached that number, challenge yourself to continue your list until you reach (100) items and then take time to review. Just for the record, the first time my personal mentor took me through this exercise, he challenged me until my list reached (200) items - it took me an entire month, but it was most rewarding to see how much God was blessing me in so many areas of my life, however prior to that experience my eyes had simply not been opened to see His hands at work.
One of the greatest ways to begin to take small steps up out of the darkness of depression or to step down from a high state of anxiety into the peacefulness of God is to begin to thank Him for all that He has blessed us with spiritually, physically, materially, emotionally, mentally, and relationally. A most effective method for practicing this discipline is making what a wise mentor of mine called a Daily "Thankful List" of the things God has given you. The key is not be too broad, but to be both broad and simplistic including broad items such as your "Salvation in Christ" and simplistic items such as the "Warm Shower" you had this morning, or the fact that your "Car actually cranked on a frigidly cold morning." In focusing on these things, your mind is "re-directed" to all the things that you are blessed with each and every day that can be sources of encouragement. A good starting point is to make a list of (50) items and then once you've reached that number, challenge yourself to continue your list until you reach (100) items and then take time to review. Just for the record, the first time my personal mentor took me through this exercise, he challenged me until my list reached (200) items - it took me an entire month, but it was most rewarding to see how much God was blessing me in so many areas of my life, however prior to that experience my eyes had simply not been opened to see His hands at work.
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Click on the PDF to print a copy of the handout above.
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GRATITUDE JOURNAL
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Click on the "Gratitude Journal" pdf to download the blank template above.
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Press Into the Lord: This is the idea of getting to know the Lord more intimately through spending time in His word and praying through your circumstances or the season of life in which you find yourself at this present time. One of the most effective ways that God both speaks to us and comforts us is through His word & simple prayers. During times of suffering through depression and anxiety, it can be difficult to concentrate, so long passages are not needed, it is simple passages such 2 Corinthians 12:9, "And he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness." Another great verse is Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want." You may write these short verses on notes to place around your home, in your car, at work, etc. as messages of God's ongoing encouragement. You can also write out these kinds of short verses and simply list every thing that they mean in truth to your situation. In addition, your prayers need not be long and taxing, but only short and from the heart such as, "Lord, Help Me!," or "Father, I'm not sure what to pray, I just know I need your comfort." You may download the Scripture Journal example below. You may also download the 40 Day Devoti!onal Guide from the "Resources" page as well as follow the Daily Devotionals on the "Daily Blog" page.
Download the "Have Hope Scripture Journal" and "Journal Template" below:
(Source: Praying The Bible, Donald S. Whitney)
(Source: Praying The Bible, Donald S. Whitney)
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Spend Time With a Care Giver/Friend/Accountability Partner:
-It is so important that you find someone you can trust to share your struggles with.
-They can encourage you and support you.
-They can be a sounding board to just get things out!
-They can help get you out of the house (help you get back to functioning again)
-They can remind you of truth and reality.
-It is so important that you find someone you can trust to share your struggles with.
-They can encourage you and support you.
-They can be a sounding board to just get things out!
-They can help get you out of the house (help you get back to functioning again)
-They can remind you of truth and reality.
Click the button below to visit the Have Hope YouTube channel for inspiring music.
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