Battles of the Mind

Written by Joyce C. Lock


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I didn't feel like singing at all. There was no song in my heart. I couldn't have worshiped if I’d tried. But, I kept singing and singing untilrepparttar words gradually transferred to words like “Jesus isrepparttar 130582 Victory”.

Still not feelingrepparttar 130583 words, however repetitious it was, I kept singing untilrepparttar 130584 words gradually began to take on power. With each degree that I could better feel God's presence,repparttar 130585 burden felt lighter and lighter untilrepparttar 130586 evil presence was gone.

There's a song about things fading in His presence andrepparttar 130587 things of this world growing strangely dim, inrepparttar 130588 light of His glorious face … absent in body, present in spirit. Sometimes, God allows such circumstances to call us to take a vacation, to go away and just be with Him.

Once, I think I spent a whole week at escaping with God. It was so wonderful; I didn't want to come back. It is a guaranteed fix for stress related high blood pressure.

© by Joyce C. Lock http://my.homewithgod.com/blessingsandlessons/ This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact, for non-profit ministering purposes.

In addition to being a published author and poet, Joyce C. Lock created the religion column, "Christianity Made Simple" for Peru Daily Tribune, continues to write inspirational articles for area newspapers, and shares further in online and e-mail ministries.


Fear of Firsts

Written by Louise Morganti Kaelin


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Gaining awareness that your fear is related torepparttar unfamiliarity ofrepparttar 130580 situation may go a long way in allowing you to face it squarely and dorepparttar 130581 thing you're putting off. Here are some additional suggestions to help move you throughrepparttar 130582 fear:

TAKE A DEEP BREATH

Breathe slowly and become aware of your breathing. As you focus on your breathing, you will notice that you automatically begin breathing slower and more deeply. This allows you to get to that 'centered' space,repparttar 130583 space where you can viewrepparttar 130584 situation objectively, where you know what you are capable of, and where you can again seerepparttar 130585 potential in what you want to do. Focusing on your breathing very often brings you from fear to nervousness to excitement aboutrepparttar 130586 event in a matter of moments.

FOCUS ON THE OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED

If others are involved, shiftrepparttar 130587 focus from you to them. We sometimes worry so much about whatrepparttar 130588 other person is thinking about us that we missrepparttar 130589 opportunity to identify what they need and to help them achieve it. A dear friend shared a story of her early days in real estate and how her fear of whatrepparttar 130590 clients were thinking jeopardized her ability to sell. It wasn't until she started focusing on repparttar 130591 clients, and how she could help them through this stressful time (and anyone who's ever searched for a new home knows how stressful it can be!) that she was able to turnrepparttar 130592 business around and enjoy success. Tuning in torepparttar 130593 other people puts a whole new slant on things, allowing our fears to recede long enough for us to figure out that there's nothing to be scared of!

BLOW UP YOUR FEAR

This is an effective exercise that you can do in just a few short minutes.

Close your eyes and take a few slow breaths. Visualize yourself in your mind's eye in a calm, peaceful place. Allow yourself to think ofrepparttar 130594 situation you're avoiding until you can firmly feelrepparttar 130595 fear around it. 'See' yourself identifyingrepparttar 130596 place inside you whererepparttar 130597 fear is (usuallyrepparttar 130598 stomach) and put both hands in and pull it out. Holdrepparttar 130599 fear in your hands and look at it for a moment. Then notice that there is a brown cardboard box, just large enough to holdrepparttar 130600 fear, onrepparttar 130601 ground in front of you. Placerepparttar 130602 fear inrepparttar 130603 box and close it. Keep your eyes onrepparttar 130604 box and see it get larger. As you stand and watchrepparttar 130605 box (breathing slowly allrepparttar 130606 time), see it grow and grow. See it become as large as you, as large asrepparttar 130607 room, as large asrepparttar 130608 house, as large asrepparttar 130609 town, as large asrepparttar 130610 country, as large asrepparttar 130611 world --- until it grows so large it just explodes like a balloon. Once it's gone, take a moment to notice how you feel withoutrepparttar 130612 fear. Take a few more deep breaths and open your eyes. [Ifrepparttar 130613 fear has really taken hold, you may need to do this a few times. But each time you do it, you'll notice thatrepparttar 130614 box explodes at a smaller and smaller size.]

(c) Louise Morganti Kaelin. Louise is a Life Success Coach who partners with individuals who are READY (to live their best life), WILLING (to explore all options) and ABLE (to accept total support). Find many free resources to assist you in living the life of your dreams at http://www.touchpointcoaching.com For her free newsletter of insightful, practical suggestions for creating your best life, email mailto:on-536@ezezine.com


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