Expressing our feelings can be very difficult when we are living with anxiety.
Anxiety is based in fear, so it will often assume the worst i.e. we will get the worst reaction from a person, or the worst possible outcome will occur. This can really get in the way of expressing our feelings. We may have already played out the situation in our minds, perhaps subconsciously, and thought about the rejection, humiliation and failure.
It is important to remember that we are anxious; this may exaggerate the reaction we will have in our thoughts. Anxiety can create a negative thought pattern due to the feeling of fear we have. When we express ourselves to someone we are frightened of rejection or just frozen with fear. Understanding that we have that fear, and knowing what fear is and how it expresses itself helps to reduce our anxiety. As our anxiety reduces our self confidence lifts, and with self confidence comes confidence in expressing feelings to others in a calm, relaxed, and non threatening way. The more this happens the more confident we will become, and eventually people may even comment about how relaxed and confident you are.
Jesus was rejected, even though he spoke of love and forgiveness: there is no guarantee that we won’t be rejected. What we do know is that Jesus will never reject us, he wants us to express our feelings honestly to him and he wants us to know how much he loves us. In knowing and growing in the love of God we are more able to cope with people rejecting our feelings and as we start to open up about our feelings, even negative ones such anger, we can look to Jesus for support and to the Bible for direction on the best approach and attitude to have. As we spend more time with Jesus, we find that our feelings become more and more loving and forgiving.
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NIV
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power
Ephesians 6:10 NIV
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12 NIV
A simple prayer:
Dear Jesus, I thank you and put my trust in you, you are always at my side even when feeling desperate; I know that you will never let me down, forgive me for the times that I have disappointed you, guide me and teach me, Please help me to express my feelings, fill me with your power, I pray for healing and peace in the love and assurance that you died and rose again for me, amen
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