The dictionary defines anxiety as a state of uneasiness or tension caused by apprehension of possible future misfortune, danger, etc; worry. Anxiety is a normal part of addiction and drug rehabilitation and often feeds our addictions in a number of ways. For many of us we have never been taught how to cope with the events in life and the unknowns we face. Our addiction usually tells us we need a pill or a drink for the cure but you have found that this is a deceptive fallacy.

Spiritual interventions can help us to learn to cope with anxiety and this reading may give you some examples that might help you cope in a healthy way during drug rehabilitation. Another definition of anxiety states it arises from a fear of not being able to cope with a future event. Many of our anxieties are of this nature and so I will address some ways to put the unknowns in our life in order.

The practice of spiritual disciplines may be new to some but their simplicity may make it easier for us to adopt some practices that work. Step three tells us that we need to come to a decision to turn our lives and will over to the care of God as we have come to understand Him. The surrender of step three is not just for us but we can also turn our fears, worries and anxieties over to God as well. Here are some ways that work for me.

Use of the God Box

The God box is one way of turning over those things we are worried about, those things we have no power over, to God. For some who have never used this, it may seem strange and pointless to put a slip of paper into a box. But consider what might happen if we practice some willingness in this process of drug rehabilitation. The idea of the God Box is that you take your worry to God and place it into a box and leave it there with God to deal with and we step away from it with some faith that God could help. In surrendering this to God we ask Him for His intervention and help. In doing so we give Him an opportunity to work in our lives and the results may surprise you. As He begins to intervene in your life, you may realize you are not alone and have someone working for you in more powerful ways than you imagined. Done on a daily basis you may find a peace in knowing that and the things you were once anxious over may seem easier to handle.

Letter writing to God If you have ever written a journal you may have found that it is a great way to vent and express feelings you may have bottled up during the day. Writing letters to God may be similar but potentially more powerful. In writing letters to God, take the opportunity to relate to God how your day went. Tell Him what happened that is puzzling you. Tell Him how you might have done something wrong and ask for forgiveness. Tell Him what has been happening in your life and the struggles with drug rehabilitation you have had that might still be plaguing you today. But rather than just a complaint letter, ask Him for help in those areas of your life you struggle with. Letter writing helps us get those things out of our heads and surrendered to God. It turns those things over for His help and intervention. It may also improve our prayer lives and personal devotion to God. When my son left for the Army, I would write him letters every day and as I wrote, I felt as if I was talking to him directly and didn\’t feel the pain of missing him so much. Perhaps the same can happen to you as you spend those moments with God.

I take the example of Adam and Eve in the Garden when God asked them where they were, as they were hiding. When they responded that they were naked and afraid, the dialogue continued. I like to think Adam was given the opportunity to tell his story to God and find some healing afterward. It helps us to get it out of our heads and to turn that \”thing\” over to God. It gets Him involved in our lives in more direct ways and when that happens we just might get some peace from it as we see God moving in our lives as never before.

Taking a mental vacation

At times during the day you might want to take a mental vacation. Have you ever visited a place where it was just beautiful and you never wanted to leave? Maybe it was a vacation spot the family went to and the memories easily flood the mind with peace and good feelings. You may want to visit that place with your minds eye and re-experience those moments. Remember the smells, sounds, the colors and views. The laughter and joy that accompanied those moments may bring back those feelings once again. For me thinking of my heavenly home that is promised to me is a nice escape as I imagine the home I get to build as well as the mansion God is preparing for me. I\’ve gone over those plans many times in my head and the peace I get from that no one can take away.

God moment journal

Often we go through life completely unaware of the way God has been working in our lives and we miss the opportunity to build our faith. Most of us can look back at our lives and remember those times we were spared a tragedy or a need was met inexplicably. We may have even said, \”thank you God!!\”, but soon dismissed it afterwards. Maybe it was a possible wreck we recovered from. Maybe it was a bill that someone paid for us because they felt impressed to help. Maybe it was drug rehabilitation or an illness that should have done us in. It could be a number of different things. It would be a good practice to begin writing those things down and reviewing those things once in a while. God moments give us the opportunity to see that our God is an intimate God who is concerned with our lives. One that can intervene, helps, transcends time and space and becomes involved in personal ways to help us. Often we face times when our faith is tried and it is easy to forget those moments so a small note book with those moments written down and kept by our sides can be a tool to remind us that we are not alone. Fortified with those memories and experiences they can help us find the peace in the midst of the storms that come upon us.

Finally. Our prayer life of surrender to God, practiced daily is the most powerful way to find peace. It is an acknowledgment, an invitation to God that He can be a part of your life just for today. Tomorrow you can do the same, but for today invite Him into your day. Give your problems over to Him daily. Take your petitions to your God and as you do you will see just how easy life becomes because you have the creator of the universe in your corner. The serenity prayer challenges us to accept the things we cannot change. In that acceptance we acknowledge that God has to change those things and so we surrender those things to Him. The more we do that the less complicated our lives can become and we find peace.

These are just a few things you can begin doing. You will develop a lifestyle of peace and serenity. Let me challenge you to practice these things even when the times are good. Establish principles daily so that when the anxious moments come you are prepared and fortified. Let\’s stop doing the 911 prayers and develop that healthy relationship of trust and hope that our Higher Power is with us. My prayer is that you might find that peace from God that no one can take from you because it is God sent.

Go to www.valleyhope.org to learn more.

Chaplain, Ken Davila, M.Div, BA

Go to http://www.valleyhope.org to learn more.
Chaplain, Ken Davila, M.Div, BA

Author Bio: Go to www.valleyhope.org to learn more.

Chaplain, Ken Davila, M.Div, BA

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: drug rehabilitation, drug rehab centers, drug and alcohol treatment centers