Meditation…Can It Really Help?

There is so much talk out there nowadays about stress, and how it takes its toll on our bodies in numerous ways. Stress and life events that cause us to be anxious and worried are inevitable…..even Christ said that…we will have struggles (tribulations)…in this life…there’s just no way around them….but how can we minimize some of the horrific side-effects of stress?

There is much research available that discusses “meditation” as a form of stress relief.   Meditation can comes in various styles, and most of these techniques offer us a way to “de-stress’ and reconnect with our inner self in a healthy and harmonious way.  Our groups form of meditation comes in the way of prayer.  It involves quiet time alone (usually at night before bed), and allowing the mind to focus on God, and his awesome influence that he can have on our lives.

I enjoy focusing on the good things of life while resting in bed with my eyes closed…love to our neighbors and friends, kindness, the great things that God has done in my life, and the good things to come.   Many people tell me they focus on a place of serenity such as sitting alone on a beach and mentally visualizing the sounds and smells of the ocean.  Some people quietly chant a peaceful word to themselves, as they focus on a peaceful setting….

Whatever technique you utilize, try to incorporate God into the meditation…..With God there is love, joy and kindness…..and when you focus on those things…..anxiety and worry just seem to become less and less….

Here’s a great devotional from intouch.org on giving thanks and praising God…..try to incorporate that into your daily meditation..

Glorifying the Lord is not limited to worshipping in church. In fact, praise ought to permeate the believer’s life. 

One obvious way that we praise the Lord is with our voice. We can either speak or sing our worship. Psalm writers put adoration into words and set their love to music. True worship also flows from the mouths of believers who are focused upon God’s attributes. They desire to honor Him because of who He is, what He has done, and what He has promised for the future.

Genuine worship allows the Lord to fill our hearts and minds with His presence. But praising the Lord with wrong motives is an empty act. For example, if we’re lifting our hands and singing loud only because doing so feels good, then what we’re after is an emotional high. That kind of selfish “praise” falls far short of heaven.

Our God is praised when we serve Him. People are created for the purpose of bringing glory and honor to His name. Therefore, nothing should limit our willingness to work for the King, particularly when we have a chance to share Him with others. Christ is honored when His followers speak boldly about His grace and His work—believers’ testimonies are an amazing form of praise that magnifies God’s name.

Jesus Christ is worth more than any treasure this world offers. Loving Him and understanding what He’s done for you should be all the motivation you need to praise Him with your life. Don’t just sing; serve His kingdom and share the gospel. Help to make God’s throne room ring with worship.

Here at Christian Help For Addiction Online…..we will continue to pray for you and your family as you face life struggles and temptations…..Remember…you don’t have to “go it alone”…Christ is there to help you through these difficult times….reach out to him in prayer and meditation….and see how your burdens become less……

A Guide For Life

I was reading a great devotional from the “intouch” website that I thought I would share with you.  Sometimes we need some advice on how to deal with our issues and struggles.  Getting advice from so called “friends” can be tricky, especially if they have become soured toward life. One of the best resources you and I have right at our fingertips is the Bible.  Here’s the devotional message.

Stan bought his grandchildren a new toy. After glancing at the directions, he set the booklet aside to get busy building. A few frustrating hours later, Stan humbly opened the instructions again and followed the steps to assemble the toy. Soon he was done, and the grandkids were playing happily.

Stan knew that the manufacturer had a plan for putting together the toy. But he’s a smart fellow, so he assumed he could figure it out too. Many people take the same approach to the Scriptures that Stan took to those directions. Instead of treating God’s Word like a manual to live by, they glance at it occasionally when they aren’t sure what to do next.

The Bible is like the Father’s diagram of Himself. He teaches believers who He is, what He thinks, and how He acts. Knowing the ways of the Lord ensures that we make wise decisions, which honor Him.

The Bible is also God’s instruction book for living. I emphasize reading it every day because believers cannot be spiritually successful or victorious without it. In today’s passage, we read that if a person wants to be righteous, his or her life must comply with the principles of Scripture. Of course, the only way to know what those principles are is to read, study, and meditate upon the Word.

God’s Word is our most valuable possession. Casting it aside is as foolish as tossing away a wallet full of money. Among the Bible’s riches are stories teaching us how to serve the Lord and principles about pleasing Him. And there is a wealth of instruction for building a righteous and meaningful life.

Here at Christian Help For Addiction Online, we pray that your struggles are becoming fewer. Trust in God, and continue to pray.  Your breakthrough might be closer then you think.

How To Break An Addiction To Marijuana

Hi everybody…here is a great article on Marijuana addiction. The funny thing is that there are many people who I speak with that don’t believe Marijuana is addicting, or could lead to a Marijuana addiction….here’s a general view of addiction…an addiction is a chronic neurobiologic disorder that has genetic, psychosocial, and environmental dimensions and is characterized by one of the following: the continued use of a substance despite its detrimental effects, impaired control over the use of a drug (compulsive behavior), and preoccupation with a drug’s use for non-therapeutic purposes (i.e. craving the drug).

Christian Shire
Marijuana is addictive and there is a syndrome of withdrawal that will occur whenever a dependent person attempts to quit their habit.
Marijuana is not terribly dangerous over the short run, but the consequences of long term use and addiction are a greater risk for certain cancers, some cognitive and learning deficits, and certain social deficits. People using marijuana heavily are not as able to realize their full potential, and heavy marijuana usage can detract from quality of life.
Marijuana withdrawal symptoms
The withdrawal symptoms of marijuana cessation can include irritability, insomnia, anxiety, headaches, nausea, depression, a loss of appetite and others. The withdrawal is not dangerous, is not as severe as for some other drugs, but is very unpleasant; and during the initial few days the cravings back to marijuana can be very strong.
Too many people trying to quit their habit are unable to resist these cravings back to use of a drug that they know will take away all of these very unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal.
Try exercise…really, it works!
Because marijuana detox is not medically dangerous, there is no current pharmacological intervention to ease the pains of withdrawal, and only time will truly better the discomfort. After 3 or 4 days the intensity of withdrawal symptoms should subside considerably; and if you can make it past the first few days, you’ve got a much better chance of making it for the long term.
One very effective, free and completely safe way to reduce the intensity of the symptoms of withdrawal is through long and enjoyable exercise. To lessen the symptoms of withdrawal, and take your mind off of the constant cravings, you need to get off of the couch, and get out and get your heart pumping.
Exercise helps on a number of levels. Through sustained and vigorous activity you release endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are a “natural” way of feeling high, and a bit of exercise and the corresponding release of endorphins can do a lot to lessen feelings of anxiety, lethargy and depressions.
Sustained and vigorous exercise can also fatigue the body, and hopefully lessen characteristic insomnia that can so often trigger a relapse back to use. With exercise and vigorous perspiration, you can also cleanse the body of toxins and drug metabolites; toxins that some maintain have an influence on the continuation of detox symptoms.
Getting past the first few days
Exercise is free, it will make you feel better, it keeps you busy and keeps your mind off of use; and it may even help you to sleep at night. Nothing will eliminate all of the symptoms of withdrawal but time, but by spending a few days engaged in sustained exercise, you should make those days more bearable, and you should have a much better chance at resisting temptation.
Go for a hike in the mountains, ride your bike across town, play basketball…do whatever you enjoy. It can help a lot!
If you find that you are simply unable to resist the temptations and find yourself using again, you may want to consider professional help. Getting some therapy and getting away from access to marijuana for a period may help those people unable to do it on their own.
Christian Shire is an addictions professional who writes about addiction and treatment options. To learn more about addiction, withdrawal, treatments and substance abuse, please visit http://www.choosehelp.com/
Or read the daily blog entry at http://www.troubleblog.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christian_Shire http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Break-An-Addiction-To-Marijuana&id=754187
I enjoy the part about exercise. Naturally check with your doctor first to make sure you are able to exercise, but after being cleared medically, exercise is a great stress release. Marijuana can be a problematic addiction, make sure you get help.