Heavy Weight Champion?

What happens when we are anxious about something?  Can you sleep?  How's your eating?  How's your thought process?  How are your relationships?

I am, by my own admission, a worrier who is anxious about everything that I worry about.

   *  Can I sleep? Not without medication and even then, not too well.
   *  How's my eating? I go from "can't eat enough" to "not hungry" to "tossing my cookies."
   *  How's my thought process?  My mind immediately goes through the worst possible outcomes and then takes them even further down the "worse" trail.
   *  How are my relationships?  Well, my Bride is longsuffering and understanding, because I tend to turn inward and shut people out when I feel anxious.  

Here's a little tidbit, when we are under stress and anxiety, our heart is effected.  No, our literal heart, the blood pumping muscle.  Why do you think Anxiety Medication usually makes you relax (and sometimes not care about anything)?  Because worry and anxiety are damaging to almost every aspect of our lives.

So what do we do to help when we feel anxious and/or worried?  
     1.  Remember that God is in control, tell Him what's bothering you and thank Him for dealing with it.
     2.  Find something different to distract your mind.  
     3.  Talk with someone about what you are experiencing.
     4.  If this is a chronic condition, speak with your physician.
     5.  Sometimes a hot shower or hot bath will help.  If your gym has a steam room, use it.
     6.  Sometimes a massage will help.
     7.  Understand that you are not the only person going through worry and anxiety.

The one thing that I have learned, and am still learning, is that when I worry or feel anxious about something I cannot control, I am trying to do God's job.  I have to be reminded that God is not surprised by my situation and has already worked out a solution that will ultimately benefit me and Glorify Him!