Stress & Anxiety

/stres/     Stress is a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.

/aNGˈzīədē/     Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

Prayer

Almighty God, I'm feeling overwhelmed. Break through my worries with a reminder of your presence. Enable me to be still and trust in you; to breathe deep and inhale the presence of your Spirit. As it says in Isaiah 43, when I pass through the waters, you are with me. So help me not to fear, for you have redeemed me, you have called me by name and I am yours forever. Give me strength and courage, and surround me with a support system of love and care. Lastly, please grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to distinguish one from the other. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Scripture Passages

• Isaiah 43:1-2, 5, 18-19 - Do not be afraid; God is with you
• Philippians 4:4-9 - Submit your worries to God in prayer, focus on that which is
  good and the peace of God will be yours
  
• Jeremiah 29:11 - God has plans to give you hope and a future
• Matthew 6:25-34 - Do not worry; God does and will care for you
• Deuteronomy 31:8 - God goes before you and will be with you always
• Philippians 4:13-14 - I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.
• Romans 8:26-28 - The Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words
• Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord and not on your own understanding
• Ephesians 3:16-20 - God is able to accomplish more than we can ask or imagine

Local and General Resources

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - Minnesota 
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
  Monticello Middle School - mental health resource and counseling lists for all ages (including school-based student support services)
• Minnesota Mental Health Helpline - mental health information, referrals, programs: call 800-862-1799 or email
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America 
• Music for the Soul - soul care through music and stories
• National Institute of Mental Health 
• National Anxiety Foundation 
• Overcomepanic.com - Christian help for anxiety, panic and fear
• Mayo Clinic: Anxiety Disorders

Podcasts & Recommended Reading 

Podcasts:

• Wellness in Color: Healing Through Community (Geet Mittal)
• Wellness in Color: The Pressures of Perfection (Aneela Kumar) 

Books & Articles:

• The Chemistry of Calm: A Powerful, Drug-Free Plan
  to Quiet Your Fears and Overcome Your Anxiety,
  by Henry Emmons
• The Worried Child: Recognizing Anxiety in Children
  and Helping Them Heal, by Paul Foxman
• Dancing with Fear: Controlling Stress and Creating
  a Life Beyond Panic and Anxiety, by Paul Foxman
• "Stress Management" 
• "Tips to Manage Anxiety and Stress"

Books for Children:

• I Can Handle It, by Laurie Wright
• Wilma Jean - the Worry Machine, by Julia Cook
• Wemberly Worried, by Kevin Henkes