I've been coming to this site and message board for several years now, finally making an account. I have something specific I wanted to ask that I made this account for, but it will take awhile to type so I'll ask it later.
I can't wait to see what it is. Welcome SNESMasterKI, by the way I will never remember that. My name is DuWayne
Take your time. Think it through brother. We await with a corporate bated breath.
So my question is about dealing with anxiety. I've had anxiety problems all my life, they've been becoming worse in recent years. They mainly revolve around things happening to my family and friends, these started when my childhood dog died very suddenly from a stroke about four years ago. My anxiety can be triggered by a fear of anxiety, even if it isn't life threatening something happening to a loved one can make me anxious for months. Tentmaker has been my main source of spiritual support for several years now (as a universalist Christian, there are not physical churches near me that match my beliefs), which is why I'm making a topic here. Since death of others is the root cause of my worst anxiety, the thought of them being in Heaven where I will eventually see them again would be a great comfort, but my anxiety is also interfering with that. I often have a hard time not imagining the worst situation in scenarios, and while I have thankfully done pretty well at not being afraid of eternal torment my anxiety does often make me view death as if God does not exist and annihilation will occur. Personal desire aside I honestly do find permanent annihilation more incomprehensible than an afterlife on a logical level, but my anxiety can hurt me even if I can counter it logically. I'm not sure what can be done about this, but that's why I'm asking for help. Thank you for your time.
Quote from: SNESMasterKI on September 10, 2013, 08:33:45 PM
So my question is about dealing with anxiety. I've had anxiety problems all my life, they've been becoming worse in recent years. They mainly revolve around things happening to my family and friends, these started when my childhood dog died very suddenly from a stroke about four years ago. My anxiety can be triggered by a fear of anxiety, even if it isn't life threatening something happening to a loved one can make me anxious for months. Tentmaker has been my main source of spiritual support for several years now (as a universalist Christian, there are not physical churches near me that match my beliefs), which is why I'm making a topic here. Since death of others is the root cause of my worst anxiety, the thought of them being in Heaven where I will eventually see them again would be a great comfort, but my anxiety is also interfering with that. I often have a hard time not imagining the worst situation in scenarios, and while I have thankfully done pretty well at not being afraid of eternal torment my anxiety does often make me view death as if God does not exist and annihilation will occur. Personal desire aside I honestly do find permanent annihilation more incomprehensible than an afterlife on a logical level, but my anxiety can hurt me even if I can counter it logically. I'm not sure what can be done about this, but that's why I'm asking for help. Thank you for your time.
"Now we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are reposing, lest you may sorrow according as the rest, also, who have no expectation. For, if we are believing that Jesus died and rose, thus also, those who are put to repose, will God, through Jesus, lead forth together with Him. For this we are saying to you by the word of the Lord, that we, the living, who are surviving to the presence of the Lord, should by no means outstrip those who are put to repose, for the Lord Himself will be descending from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the Chief Messenger, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall be rising first. Thereupon we, the living who are surviving, shall at the same time be snatched away together with them in clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And thus shall we always be together with the Lord. So that, console one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
"Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, that is superior to every frame of mind, shall be garrisoning your hearts and your apprehensions in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6,7)
"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor messengers, nor sovereignties, nor the present, nor what is impending, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord." (Romans 8:38,39)
"Therefore take up the panoply of God that you may be enabled to withstand in the wicked day, and having effected all, to stand. Stand, then, girded about your loins with truth, with the cuirass of righteousness put on, and your feet sandaled with the readiness of the evangel of peace; with all taking up the large shield of faith, by which you will be able to extinguish all the fiery arrows of the wicked one. And receive the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is a declaration of God." (Ephesians 6:13-17)
"we rely on the living God, Who is the Saviour of all mankind, especially of believers" (1 Timothy 4:10)
"through Him to reconcile all to Him (making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens" (Colossians 1:20)
"Yet now Christ has been roused from among the dead, the Firstfruit of those who are reposing. For since, in fact, through a man came death, through a Man, also, comes the resurrection of the dead. For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be vivified. Yet each in his own class: the Firstfruit, Christ; thereupon those who are Christ's in His presence; thereafter the consummation, whenever He may be giving up the kingdom to His God and Father, whenever He should be nullifying all sovereignty and all authority and power. For He must be reigning until He should be placing all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy is being abolished: death. For He subjects all under His feet. Now whenever He may be saying that all is subject, it is evident that it is outside of Him Who subjects all to Him. Now, whenever all may be subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also shall be subjected to Him Who subjects all to Him, that God may be All in all." (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)
"Out of Him and through Him and for Him is all." (Romans 11:36)
http://concordant.org/expohtml/DeathAndJudgment/index.html
http://concordant.org/expohtml/HisAchievement/HisAchievement007.html
http://concordant.org/expohtml/TheProblemOfEvil/evil030.html
Quote from: SNESMasterKI on September 10, 2013, 08:33:45 PM
my anxiety does often make me view death as if God does not exist and annihilation will occur.
Hello. That's a great start, being able to say "this is my anxiety" rather than "this is what I really believe down deep". Being able to separate what the flesh is doing and how the adversary uses it against us, from what/who we really are and What/Who God really is, is a huge part of the battle. It will help us move more into just laying things at His feet, trusting things in His hands, and knowing all our worries/struggles don't change the outcome that He's in control over. Blessings, peace, and comfort to you.
Speaking as one who has suffered anxiety and panic attacks for over 40 years, I believe that there are genetic components at work. I come from a long line of those that suffered with these issues. Nothing logical and/or rational put the anxiety to rest. I treat the disorder as I would any other medical condition with medication. The medication I'm on does not interfere with rational/logical thinking or my relationship with Father and his Son Jesus Christ. Fear was forever lurking and I prayed for years that it be removed. Father answered my prayer for release from fear with the knowledge of universal salvation through Christ Jesus. I now realize that I am not and can not control a single thing in my life or that of any other person. What a tremendous relief that has been. I'm not responsible...Father is Sovereign over ALL things no matter how large or small. I've accepted this and know that all will be just fine for me and everyone else I know, love, and even dislike. All situations that arise are under the control of Father and His goal is use these to glorify His authority. Our job is to know the truth, endure with faith, and above all love and trust His direction. This is simply my two cents worth. I can identify with the torment you're experiencing and know that there is an answer. Blessings to you. :HeartThrob: :HeartThrob: :HeartThrob: