For Zikora

How to do Life, the Christian Way.

Grace

How to Cure Chronic Anxiety: Looking back in Gratitude to Face the Future with Confidence-

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Find Peace and Conquer Chronic anxiety in 7 steps using Psalm 118.

Dear Zikora,

About a year ago before I made this entry, I entered a very difficult season in my life. I have faced many challenges before, but this time, it was because of the series of mistakes I made as a result of my disobedience to God.  You were very little then and really did not understand what I was going through. However, you knew I was sad, and sometimes you would ask: “are you going to cry again?” or “please don’t be sad”. I will tell you all about it when you are older. Remind me by asking me to tell you of that summer when I drank my tears for breakfast, lunch, and supper.

That said, back to today. This morning. After saying my morning prayers, I am led to read Psalm 118. As I read this chapter, I am immediately reminded of the significance of today even though I had completely forgotten the series of events that happened just the year prior. This chapter reminded me to give thanks to God for the gift of God’s goodness and steadfast love to me. It reinforced for me that God has always being on my side, even when I didn’t realize it. Even when I didn’t believe it. It is a poignant reminder of how God stood by me and gave me victory on all sides. I am grateful that I got this reminder this morning and I am even more glad that I get to share it with you.

Moving on, here is what I want you to do if you notice that you are still (or constantly) worried or anxious about something. Look back and remember a time when something worked out for you, even though it did not work out exactly the way you had expected. By reminding yourself of how God helped you in the past, you will be encouraged and reminded that God can help you again now, and always.

Psalm 118 is not just a reminder for the past, it is reinforcement for the now, and an encouragement for the future. Put this chapter in your arsenal, it is very valuable. And did I mention that it helps with chronic anxiety? My darling, it does!

Check out How to Cure Acute Anxiety (part 1): A Simple ABC Guide using Psalm 23.

Here we go, the step by step how to!

1) Practice Gratitude:

 In the first few verses of Psalm 118, we are called to give thanks to God for God’s goodness, and steadfast love to us. Look back intentionally at all of God’s goodness and be genuinely thankful. And yes, God has been good to you. You can start by thanking God for the gift of being alive, the air you breathe, God’s unending love for you, and for that positive thing that suddenly or randomly happened to you etc). We are again commanded to give thanks to God even at the end of this chapter. Thus, start and end with Gratitude!

”Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”…Psalm 118 vs 1.

”Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”…Psalm 118 vs 29.

2) Verbally Affirm God’s strength and Love for You:

My darling,  it is not enough to just remember God’s power, goodness or God’s steadfast love in your life, you must say out loud to yourself that God loves you and that God’s love for you never ends. Keep saying it until you believe it. This chapter instructs us 4 times starting from verse 1- 4!

 “Let those who fear the Lord say, His steadfast love endures forever” …Psalm 118 vs. 4.

Also verbally affirm this verse:

“The Lord is my strength and my song,

He has become my salvation.

Glad songs of salvation are in the tent of the righteous:

The right hand of the Lord does valiantly,

The right hand of the Lord does exalts, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!” …Psalm 118 vs. 16.

3) Bring your Requests and Worries to God in Prayer and Thank him:

Trust completely that God will do what is best for you. In the same prayer, believe that your prayers have been answered and thank God for answering your prayers. Here is an example of how you can pray, be as specific as you want:

“Save us, we  pray, O Lord!

“O Lord, we  pray, give us success!”…Psalm 118 vs 25.

Then;

“I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone

This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes”… Psalm 118 vs 21-23.

We are also commanded to praise God as we bring our request, that is what the following verse means:

“The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!

“You are my God and I will give thanks to you;

You are my God; I will extol you”... Psalm 118 vs 27-28

4) Don’t let Shame and Guilt stop you: 

Now did I mention that the anxieties and worries I was dealing with were caused by the mistakes I made because of my disobedience to God?  

The truth is that we will always make mistakes and disobey God. And yes, there is punishment and discipline for when we sin against God, but don’t let your sin stop you.

Here is how the psalmist acknowledged this and prayed to God for forgiveness and for help in being righteous. This is the prayer and I want you to do the same:

“The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.

Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.

This is the gate of the lord; the righteous shall enter through it.

I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation”…Psalm 118 vs 18-21.

5) Trust God completely and stop looking to people for help or sympathy:

God is fully on your side, he understands and always has your best interests. Other people or institutions may make the same claim, but they have their secret agendas wrapped in the beautiful lies they tell. Remember this:

“Out of my distress I called on the Lord;

The answered me and set me free.

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

The Lord is on my side as my helper, I shall look in triumph on those who hate me”

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man,

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes”

 …Psalm 118 vs. 5-9.

6) Confidently Declare Positivity and God’s words over your life:

When sadness and worry overwhelm you, or even before this happens, keep reminding yourself of God’s love, and promises for you. Choose to be happy no matter what. Choose Joy because you don’t fight alone. Practice steps 1-5 and keep repeating these verses to yourself:

“I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord”…Psalm 118 vs 17.

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes“…Psalm 118 vs 22-23.

“This is the day the lord has made, Let us rejoice and be glad in it”…Psalm 118 vs 24.

7) Share  your Testimony and stories of God’s goodness in your life with Others:

Contextually speaking, psalm 118 is a testimony that the psalmist is sharing about how God delivered him (Psalm 118 vs 10-16). In sharing his story, the psalmist’s faith in God is renewed, the story stays fresh in his mind, and those listening are enriched, encouraged and learn how to trust God with their anxiety. And it is what you should be doing too.

I promise you, there is no better way of reminding yourself of God’s past goodness and of his unending love for you than by sharing your testimony with others. Also, doing this will instantly shift your perspective, strengthen your faith, and ease your current worries.

 I know it does for me, and I know that once you get into this habit, it will also work for you too.  I didn’t write Psalm 118, but Psalm 118 vs 5, 10-16 is my exact testimony. Every single word was as it happened exactly for me. Lets take a look:

“Out of my distress I called on the lord

The lord answered me and set me free”…Psalm 118 vs 5

“All nations surrounded me; in the name of the lord I cut them off!

They surrounded me, the surrounded me on every side;

In the name of the Lord, I cut them off!

They surrounded me like bees;

They went out like a fire among thorns;

In the name of the Lord I cut them off!;

I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, But the Lord helped me.

The Lord is my strength and my song,

He has become my salvation.

Glad songs are in the tents of the righteous;

The right hand of the Lord does valiantly,

The right of the Lord exalts.

The right hand of God does Valiantly!”…Psalm 118 vs 10-16.

So, there you have it, the 7 proven steps to conquer worry and anxiety according to Psalm 118. I hope you practice because I know it works!

This was such a wonderful way to start my day. You woke up while I was still making some notes and we went outside to soak in the sunshine. It was while you were cuddled up in my lap and I was making more notes that I realized that I would share this with the world as well!.

How to Cure Acute Anxiety (part 1): A Simple ABC Guide using Psalm 23.

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Dealing with Acute Onset Anxiety.

Dear Zikora,

Anxiety is that uneasy feeling, or constant worry and fear that overwhelms one because they do not have certain immediate answers. Sometimes, it comes on suddenly, other times, it is an ache that won’t go away. Anxiety makes it difficult to live a fulfilling and joyful life, yet, Life can be filled with all kinds of challenges that create anxiety. Luckily, there is a simple hack that conquers anxiety, especially, when it comes on suddenly! It’s just ABC!

click here to learn how to manage chronic anxiety : How to Cure Chronic Anxiety: Looking back in Gratitude to Face the Future with Confidence-

 So, the next time you hear a news or have a thought that suddenly gives you anxiety, do this: A=Agree, B=Believe, and C= Claim the words in Psalms 23. Your anxiety will disappear once you do this regularly. I promise you; it is as easy as that!

Psalms 23 was a very popular chapter growing up. Everybody knew this chapter by heart, and I used to recite it everyday as a child. I still do. Sometimes I cheerfully recite it out loud, other times, it is a proclamation I remind myself in a tiny, terrified voice. Nevertheless, it is a prayer that comforts and calms me instantly and I want you to memorize it. I want you to remember and believe every single word because it is tried and true. I have lived through many experiences, and I can testify to the truth in every word.  I have plenty of proof.

This chapter was written long before you and I were born, and it is a lyrical testimony that King David gives summarizing who God is to him, how God helps him navigate life and the assurance that is found in God. This verse was true in King David’s life, it is true in my own life, and it gives me fresh confidence to walk through life unafraid, knowing that I am never alone. Although I know this chapter by heart, reading it again always reminds me of how powerful my God is, and how strong my confidence, faith and trust in him should be. Like I said, I have so many examples of how the words in this chapter have proven true in my life.

So here we go; a breakdown of Psalms 23 for conquering any anxious thought:

a) Is Life Hard? Worried about the future? – trust in God, and do the A, B, C as you recite this verse:

“The lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want”… Psalm 23 vs 1

             The above verse means that, God ensures that because we are his children,  we are always provided for and that we shall not lack anything that we need.  

            “He makes me lie down in green pastures”

            “He leads me beside still waters”… Psalms 23 vs. 2.

 This means that God brings us to a place of abundance and rest. It means we do not have to struggle, or strive, or enter any moral conflict to achieve an abundance of what we need.  All we have to do is to remember that God takes care of us, and trust in him completely.

b) Feeling drained and weary, weird, or confused? : Trust God, and do the A, B, C as you recite this verse:

“He restores my soul”

“He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake”- Psalm 23 vs 3.

The above verse is a reminder that God heals us, even in our soul. God shows us how to do the right thing and helps us as we do it. Remember this during the confusing days.

c) Feeling afraid, alone? – stay calm, and Trust in God, because

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death”

“I will fear no evil, for you are with me”,

“Your rod and your staff, they comfort me”…Psalm 23 vs.4

                This verse is a reminder that God is always with us in every situation, every circumstance. No matter how scary,  we have nothing to fear. We are guided by God’s words and instructions which also bring us comfort and calm.

d) Feeling like your enemies and those who hate you have won? –  Your enemies have not won, trust in God as you recite this verse:

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies”;

“You anoint my head with oil;”

“My cup overflows.”…Psalms 23 vs 5

This verse means that despite the evil plans of those who hate you and want to harm you, God will bless you and make you shine and grow. God will set you apart and fill you with the strength and gifts to thrive and succeed. And your enemies will get to watch you flourishing and thriving. The above verse is so true my girl, I have many stories about this and I no longer get upset when I’m surrounded by haters.  As we go through the Bible together, you will also see several instances where this is true and the various ways that God has done it in the past. I want you to remember this as you go through life as well.

e) It feels like all hope is lost?–  Trust in God. God has a plan to bring you to victory, and you will eventually come out smiling. It is what the verse below means. Don’t loose hope. If you forget everything, I want you remember this verse and make it your mantra:

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life”

“and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever”…Psalm 23

Oh, and here is a little snippet of what we did today: we colored together, and you forced me to color everything like the rainbow. Then you scolded me for not coloring it properly and then we got into a little argument because I said that there isn’t any pink in the rainbow. Then you told me that Violet was your friend’s name and not part of the rainbow colors either.

I gave you many hugs and made pancake and eggs for you three times today because it was the only thing you wanted to eat. I didn’t yell at you today and we had a nap as well. We had a wonderful day today I must say!

How to make a decision and other lessons

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Day 1: Acts chapter 1.

Dear Zikora,

Today I woke up quite early, it was a beautiful summer morning. The pink bedsheets reflected the morning sun in a mesmerizing way, and I took a picture as a reminder. You are still sleeping, and I am happy. I get to drink my hot morning beverage without you crying and insisting on cuddles and wanting to live inside my clothes, grabbing my arms and ears as I try to complete my morning routine which you sort of dislike.

I say my morning prayer and turn my Bible to Acts Chapter 1, (English Standard Version).

This chapter narrates the events following Jesus’s resurrection and how the replacement for Judas Iscariot (the disciple who betrayed Jesus) was picked. Verse 1-11 is bearing witness to Jesus’s interactions with his disciples and his instructions to his disciples after his resurrection. This section helps us understand the assurances, promises, evidence and sequence of events that gave the disciples confidence, power, and boldness to tell others about Jesus and all his wonderful works.

Here are the lessons and my perceptions of the story:

  1.  Regarding prayer: Importance of having Community: Even though the disciples saw, heard, and dined with Jesus firsthand, and even though Jesus promised them the holy spirit, they still prayed (Acts 1vs 4-5, 8). They prayed as a group, and they prayed individually. Praying on your own is crucial, but from this chapter, I want you to notice the importance of Community as well. Having a strong group of friends who are of the same mind as Christ, and coming together to pray about things is also one of the best ways we can make our Christian journey easier and better.  In Acts 1 verse 14, it says that all the remaining disciples and other close friends and family of Jesus devoted themselves to prayer and prayed about the same thing. As you go through life and collect friends, pay attention to the close friends you keep. Make sure that they are Christians and love God, and be intentional about praying together, here is your proof: “for where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them”- (Matthew chapter 18 vs 20.)
  • On decision making; Pray about everything and then act:  Making a decision can be difficult, especially when we want to make the right or profitable decision. The Disciples faced this issue when they were trying to pick Judas’s Iscariot’s replacement (Acts 1 vs 15). They needed to pick the right person when they had two equally excellent candidates. Here is how they resolved this: they identified the decision to be made, prayed and then took  action in faith, without overthinking it (Acts 1 vs 21-26). By praying and then acting, they believed that God would allow them to pick the right person, and they also had faith that the decision that they made afterwards was the right one. Often times, we are paralyzed with fear and even after we have prayed, we act as if God doesn’t hear us or won’t help us. Praying and entrusting that decision into God’s hands gives us faith, and having faith is better than knowing if the outcome of the decision will be good or bad.

Decision making hack:

a) Before making any decision, identify the decision and make sure that it is from a place of love for God, and that it is in alignment with the commandments and instructions of God, using the word of God. It helps to write out why the decision, (in your opinion) is good or bad. this is also called a “pros” and “cons” list. Then check what the word of God says about everything on your “pros/cons” list.

     b) Pray about the decision that you are about to make and ask God to redirect you if you are about to make a mistake and that his will be done. Remember, God knows everything. God knows the outcome of every decision and ultimately, only what God wants will be done: (“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the purpose of God that will stand”…Proverbs 19 vs 21). Sometimes a good decision may not be God’s will for you at that time, which makes the seemingly good decision a bad decision a bad one. Knowing this will save you a lot of headache.

c) Pay attention to the signs that follow: for example, do you have peace afterwards or severe conflict and anxiety. If the decision aligns with God’s word, and you feel calm and peace, then you are probably on the right track. If you feel anxiety or conflict, perhaps you are not on the right track or you need to readjust or reconsider a few things within your decision. Either way, pray for wisdom and clarity in that moment, and I promise you, you will know. Once you know, don’t force it, or waste time trying to turn the answer you have to the answer you want.

d) Once you have met the criteria a-c above, have faith that God will use that decision for your good. Don’t worry if the outcome of the decision will be what you like or not, because “And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose”… Romans 8 vs 28.

Reading this portion made me reflect on the many tiny and major decisions I have made over the years. I realized that following these steps have given me confidence to make decisions and boldly face the outcomes of said decisions. Some of the decisions didn’t have the outcomes I was expecting, but it was always for my ultimate good. It may have made me sad in the moment, but in the long run, it always exceeded my expectations. I wish the same for you, and I know that these steps will work for you too. It is how I make all the strategic moves you see and love!  

Oh, and remember, not making a decision, is a decision. So, decide wisely.

3) Resist the urge to know the exact timing of any or everything: in Acts 1 verse 6, the disciples were asking the resurrected Jesus a question and they had wanted to be given a specific answer. Jesus replied to them: “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the father has fixed by his own authority” ( Acts 1 vs 7). Jesus goes on to explain to the disciples that although they wouldn’t know specifics, they will receive the Holy Spirit and will be empowered to tell the everyone all over the world about Jesus (verse 8).  So share your testimony with others, don’t be ashamed or afraid because you do not know specific reasons or details of things.

On the same hand, don’t be caught up with trying to figure out exactly when a promise God made to you or to the world in general will come true. Make peace with the fact that we will not ever know this, and please don’t ever indulge in fortune telling. Ignore anyone who tells you that they know for certain when any event will happen or how your life will turn out!

4 ) Finally, Jesus is alive and will return: Acts 1 verse 10-11. It means exactly what it says, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Let the knowledge in this passage guide your actions and the way you choose to live your life.

Introduction

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Dear Reader,

You have found a diary I kept for my daughter to read with the single goal of helping her navigate life using Biblical principles. With every entry a seed was sown and eventually, this page was born. I decided to share it with not just my daughter, but with the world.

In here, you will find many life hacks on how to answer and deal with many topics, ranging from finding your identity, making decisions, navigating relationships, mental health, finances, and so on. Think of it as “How to navigate life, using lessons from the Bible”.

How to use: Read each Bible chapter named first, and then read my perspectives on it, and reflect on how you’ve seen it played out in your real life or in the world where you live.

If you find a Biblical term or word that you don’t understand, please type it in the search bar to see it’s Biblical meaning and reference.

Happy reading!

Background: My name is Grace and I am a Christian woman and mother living in modern times.

Note: My Bible readings are taken from the English Standard Version (ESV) for reference. Feel free to use whatever version of the Bible you have.