i need to overcome my shyness and anxiety, its killing me slowly

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J

ji

Guest
#21
i am a very introverted person, and have been for a long time; it seems like no matter what i do, in order to stop or reduce the levels of anxiety, it just get worse. I am 22, and i do not like what im becoming; its annoying.
Anxiety at this age is Good,so when you constantly check life in all angles you will realize God is the only stable fact and when you run into his arms finally realizing it then,all anxiety stops...
 
B

brume

Guest
#22
@ji yes realising and appreciating the greatness of God everytime, is something I need to do more of
 
M

missromans116

Guest
#23
I am an introvert also. I stuggle with being extreemly shy and not knowing how to fit in in big crowds also. You juss need to find out who you are in christ is all.
 
Feb 21, 2014
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#24
I am an introvert also. I stuggle with being extreemly shy and not knowing how to fit in in big crowds also. You juss need to find out who you are in christ is all.
We need to keep 'looking unto Jesus' (Hebrews 12), right? and keep looking inwardly. Blessings.
 
B

brume

Guest
#25
@missromansa .
Thanks a bunch
 
B

brume

Guest
#26
@farouk.. . that verse is great
 
M

megaman125

Guest
#27
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thank you, i do listen to gospel songs. The anxiety only gets worse, when i'm among total strangers, and i'm needed to speak or say something.
You should do something that puts yourself out there, something that might sound crazy to you at first, but definetly something you don't normally do. Go on a mission trip or volunteer project where you're working alongside people a lot, play a team sport of some sorts (it could just be a pickup game, it doesn't have to be a league), or volunteer for something that would put you in sort of a spotlight, such as a drama play or a dunk tank.
 
B

brume

Guest
#28
@MEGAMAN. I used to play footie before and then I stop. I guess I should start doing that or something else. Also the tripand volunteering thing is a nice idea. Thanks
 
J

ji

Guest
#29
@ji yes realising and appreciating the greatness of God everytime, is something I need to do more of
This is what a notorious youngster who was into violent crimes who lives in my neighborhood(even though he was brought up in a Christian family) testified to me after getting truly Saved in Christ.
"if you think you are not good enough in world,try out all the pleasures and wickedness...nowhere you will find Peace like Christ gives.Now when i see him,he is a better person than me-who never went for any crime in my whole life,except in school maybe,lol(which gives an impression in society that am good,and i know am not when i compare with God) and was not outspoken too...(but not now,after getting Saved:) )
Don't look to become smart in this world,but look at God.At the time appointed God will raise you up for His Glorification and you will stand like a Lion!
God Bless:)

God given anxiety gave Daniel-the Prophet encounters which were Heavenly.Do underestimate anything you feel that is keeping you prevented from going exposed in the world..:)
 
J

ji

Guest
#30
@MEGAMAN. I used to play footie before and then I stop. I guess I should start doing that or something else. Also the tripand volunteering thing is a nice idea. Thanks
Encourage you to Pray more even if it looks dry at first.Attitude can bring changes..good or bad..:)
 
B

brume

Guest
#31
@ji thank u very much. really appreciate it all. thanks
 
Oct 22, 2013
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#32
When you feel anxious or nervous, try doing something that relaxes you. Go for a run, or read a book, do something you like to do:) I get stressed easily and I just have to pull myself out of the situation and take a break so I don't blow up haha just take a deep breath and pray to God:)
 
B

brume

Guest
#33
@Alauren. yes, sometimes, I try not to think too much about the situation I'm in, at that point in time. I just think on God and focus on who's in front of me.
 
Feb 21, 2014
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#34
i am a very introverted person, and have been for a long time; it seems like no matter what i do, in order to stop or reduce the levels of anxiety, it just get worse. I am 22, and i do not like what im becoming; its annoying.
Hi brume: good to see you; God bless His Word to you.

The Lord Jesus, Who died at the Cross for sinners, said in John 3: Ye must be born again.

In faith and repentance, we really can begin again, but it's not in our own strength. Why not read John's Gospel carefully?
 
B

brume

Guest
#35
@farouk Ok. Thanks very much
 
M

miss_eden

Guest
#36
Ever heard of systematic desensitisation? This is exposing yourself to the situation/stimuli you're uncomfortable with instead of avoiding it, for instance with the fear of public speaking, frequently practice with a small group of friends then present to a larger audience and overtime you will get accustomed to it. Also, try to clear your mind of destructive thoughts for they are self-fulfilling prophecy that will only worsen the anxiety. Proclaim that God has not given you the spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
I hope this helps.
:)
I used to have crippling social anxiety and the above technique I practiced while having Cognitive Behavioural Therapy really helped and made a huge difference.

I'm still more introverted than extrovert and I prefer 1:1 interaction and small groups rather than large ones but that's just my nature. A few years ago I was so bad I'd do things like often get on a bus and missed my stop as I was too embarrassed to press the bell and get off the bus if no one else was. I was paranoid people would be looking at me and thinking how stupid, fat etc I looked etc. Silly I know, but that's how I felt. Becoming a Christian and understanding my identity in Christ along with CBT really helped me. I would gradually push myself out of my comfort levels-going for walks and focusing on external things around me rather than my own thoughts, going to the evening service on a Sunday even though my anxiety was telling me to hide away etc. Exposing yourself to situations you find difficult *will* reduce your anxiety eventually, giving in to anxiety and not just thinking about it more than taking action to reduce it will generally feed it and make it worse.

2 Tim 1v7 is an encouraging verse for anxiety. Start with small steps like resolving to say a few things when with people like asking them how their weeks been-afterwards realise nothing bad happened-and you were fine. Pray and ask yourself what you're worried about? Is it embarrassing yourself, fear of someone not liking you? Write down a list of your fears then put the logical truth next to them. Even if these things do happen, it's not a big deal. No one comes across perfectly in others eyes all the time. Realising I should not and have no need to fear man brings a great freedom to me that only increases.

Have you considered a therapy like CBT? If your anxiety is having a disabling affect on your life it may be worth it. Alternatively there are lots of good self help books based on techniques like CBT out their by credible, qualified authors. Remember you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!


 
L

Laura1084

Guest
#37
brume:

I've been a Christian for over 13 years and have been dealing with anxiety for about 8 years. I was in a terrible cycle trying to deal with anxiety, worry, panic and fear within the church-- a church that wasn't equipped to deal with these things. They just prayed for me, laid hands on me… I would use Scripture like a mantra… I begged God to "set me free" and always felt He let me down. All of this leads to a DEAD END! Trust me. I've now been given amazing tools to deal with anxiety by someone who's come from being strapped down in a mental hospital and given about 10 shock treatments. She's a Christian woman and has the most amazing testimony of how she's overcome anxiety, panic and depression. I signed up for her course at Calvary Chapel in Ft. Lauderdale, FL; it was called "Unmasking Anxiety" and her name is Honor Weber. It was an 8-week course and changed my life! She's unfortunately just relocated BUT you can contact the church bookstore to purchase the course. I do NOT work for them and am only writing this to help others get help like I did-- because material like this is VERY hard to find! I went YEARS thinking God failed me, reciting Biblical verses, fasting, praying, feeling "crazy" and losing my mind… felt that no one understood me. Everyone told me to "trust God" or told me to see a Psychiatrist. I even saw a "Christian Psychiatrist" who only suggested I sit in a chair and stare at some lights moving side to side. This made me feel even more hopeless and didn't make sense to me and I never did it. Honor primarily teaches how our mental health is a direct result of the thoughts we have trained our brains to think. She goes in depth about how the brain works… about how thoughts scientifically enter into our brains and pass from one neuron to another and how they then excrete chemicals and adrenaline which then produces our anxious feelings and panic attacks. She shares Biblical verses about God's design for our minds and thought life. She makes it very clear how we "train our brains" to thinking anxiously, depressed, etc and how it forms "patterns" which need to be interrupted and broken. Anxiety is NOT a mental illness, it's not a sickness… it's a disorder that we ourselves CAUSE. Our brains have something like "muscle memory" and are trained to react to those "trigger" situations the same way each time. She teaches how to slow our minds down, to breathe correctly in order to calm all nerves and panic attacks, how to excrete chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters that are responsible for our moods. When I heard these things, it made PERFECT sense to me! We are responsible for our thought patterns and she helps you identify them. What's easier is that she's a very Type-A person with a hilarious personality. She makes you actually laugh at yourself.. PLEASE trust me and buy her course! I took her course but then purchased the MP3 CD and uploaded it all to my iPhone so I can listen anywhere at any time. God bless.
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
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#38
Laura1084 this thread is over a year old. The OP's last online activity was a year ago. Please don't pull zombie threads forward. They clog up the forums...thanks..
 
Feb 7, 2015
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#39
We would worry a lot less about what other people think of us if we only knew how seldom they do.