How do you cope with anxiety?

How do you cope with anxiety? Exercise, prayer, music, long drives?

I posted this question on both Facebook and Twitter. Here are some of the responses I got:

  • Talk to family & friends

  • Run – sometimes a long run

  • Listen to worship music or music in general

  • Look at God’s creation

  • Meditate

  • Write out my thoughts in a journal

  • Take a bath, cry, snack, clean & stare blankly into space

  • Focus on the promises of God found in Scripture

  • Drink

  • Drink wine

  • Use appropriate medication

  • Take a long drive

  • Exercise

  • Turn off all my electronics

  • Bite my nails

  • I find someone to serve

  • Play with fidget toys and squeeze stress balls

  • Read

I appreciated these responses, all are real.

Hands down the #1 response was – pray. I cope with anxiety by praying. When you pray to God you tap into his omniscience or “all knowing” nature. God doesn’t sit around fretting or wringing his hands, He knows everything. Prayer says that we trust him with all our unknowns which often make us anxious. Prayer also taps into God’s promises, He promises to replace our anxiety with his peace. That’s one amazing exchange, take him up on his offer. What do we have to lose except anxiety?!

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV2011) 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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