Do you know people who are unable to hide their feelings? Can everybody tell on that person's face when something is wrong. Is this possibly you? Do you wish you could hide your feelings better?
This past week I was contemplating the idea of being content. Most of us experience anxiety in some way or another and when it grabs us it will not let go.
In this contemplation of being content I was reminded of Paul when he wrote in Philippians 4:11-13 saying he had learned to be content in any situation that he was in, and that he could do all things through Christ.
So as I meditated over this passage of scripture it seemed that there might be a link to Mindfulness. It seems that Mindfulness is the craze right now in assisting people to get through periods of stress and it occurred to me that this is a Christian principle taught by Paul in the New Testament (So for all of your worried that it is a Eastern Buddhist New Age Principle....have no fear).
You see, Paul tells us that he had learned to be at low points and at high points and this was all because he focused on Christ in the moment that he was in.
This could seem hard to do, but it is possible and beneficial. Research shows us that structural changes in the brain have been noted after only eight weeks of participation in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program. So this is good news for possible short term results.
So here are 5 steps to obtaining Christian Mindfulness to help you not be plagued by anxiety:
1-Be aware of present-moment sensations within the body such as breathing, heart beat, etc. Be aware that Christ made you and is with you on your journey. This allows the mind to focus on events that occur moment by moment.
2-As thoughts and feelings enter the scope of awareness do not resist or judge them in any way. Remember the Beatitudes from Christ (Matthew 5:3-12) (For example if the thought of missing an appointment were to come to mind, you would simply note the thought of missing the appointment and any feelings that come along with it and return to focusing on breathing as a life in Christ.)
3-Allow thoughts to come and go from the mind like leaves floating down a river. The moment of Christian Mindful Awareness occurs when the person becomes aware of a judgmental thought and is able to return to the present experience. (You will not be able to accomplish this step without full accomplishing the previous step.)
4-Get to the point where the content of the thought is not the focus of mindfulness; instead, the goal is to observe the present moment experience.
5-Daily obtain and maintain this approach in of not seeking to confront or resist negative thoughts, but to maintain a nonjudgmental, accepting state of mind when they appear. This is the life of Christ that we as Christians should seek to emulate.
I pray that this assist you in reducing your anxiety and living the Life that Christ has for you.
In Christ,
Fr. John Mozingo
Vicar