Interrupt Anxiety With Gratitude

Interrupt Anxiety With Gratitude: This practice offers a transformative approach to managing anxiety by cultivating gratitude. It involves finding a tranquil space to relax, breathe, and center oneself. Reflecting on uplifting scriptures and moments of joy, participants are encouraged to release their worries and focus on the positive aspects of their lives, such as family, health, and friendships. The exercise concludes with creating a personal gratitude list, a technique supported by psychologist Robert Emmons’ research on gratitude’s role in enhancing well-being. This method is not just a momentary relief but a continuous practice that grows stronger with regular engagement, leading to a more peaceful and thankful heart.

Transcript

Hello and welcome to meditation time.

My name is James Whitaker.

Anxiety can be overwhelming,

But we have a powerful tool at our disposal.

Gratitude.

By focusing on what we're thankful for,

We can shift our mindset and find peace.

Let's explore this practice together.

Find a quiet space where you won't be disturbed.

Sit comfortably with your back straight.

Close your eyes and take a deep breath in.

Then exhale slowly.

Repeat this a few times to center yourself.

Let's reflect on Proverbs 1225 in the Passion Translation.

Anxious fear brings depression,

But a life-giving word of encouragement can do wonders to restore joy to the heart.

Consider how encouraging words can lift your spirits.

Think of someone who has encouraged you recently.

Philippians 4,

4-7 in the Passion Translation tells us be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life.

Reflect on moments of joy and celebration in your life.

What are you grateful for?

Release your worries.

Imagine placing them in a basket.

Visualize handing this basket to God.

Trust that your concerns are being taken care of.

Now,

Let's take a few minutes to create a gratitude list in our heads.

Think of things you're thankful for.

Family,

Health,

Nature,

Friendships,

Communities.

Feel the warmth of gratitude filling your heart.

Robert Eamons,

A psychologist and researcher,

Has made significant contributions to the study of gratitude.

His work focuses on understanding the psychology of gratitude and its impact on human well-being.

In his study he found that your mind cannot process both gratitude and anxiety at the same time.

Take another deep breath.

Open your eyes.

Carry this sense of gratitude with you throughout the day.

Whenever anxiety arises,

Return to your gratitude list.

Remember,

Interrupting anxiety with gratitude is a practice.

The more you engage with it,

The more effective it becomes.

May your heart be filled with peace and thankfulness.

Now,

I'm going to close in prayer and then we can go back to our days.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for today and all of the blessings that you've given us.

Thank you for family.

Thank you for our homes.

Thank you for the food on our tables.

Thank you for all the beautiful creations in nature.

I just pray that we'll continue to keep these things in our mind and focus on you instead of the things of this world.

I just pray that today will be an amazing day for all of us,

And that we will all continue to grow.

In Jesus name,

Amen.