Hi,<BR>I just wanted to share this because it worked. I was very emotional, crying and couldn't stop, kept imagining sceniarios, that may or not be real possibilities.<BR>Then I got a paper and a pen and wrote <BR>through my tears, I will be thankful for at least 5 things<BR>1. we are still living in the same house<BR>2. I can pray<BR>3. I am healthy and have lost weight <BR>4. my kids are healthy<BR>5. we are in counseling.<P>Then I said I will pray for at least 5 people<BR>I prayed for all of you,my family, church, friends etc. the list kept getting longer and longer, I felt very peaceful afterwards, and fell asleep easily. I am going to try this everynight before I go to sleep . thanks<BR>

Neat positive steps Carole! Goes back to the Philippians 4 4-9 stuff, putting anxiety where is belongs (in His hands) rejoicing in Him always, changing your thought patterns and taking actions to put it into practice.<P>Father, we praise You for Your Word that brings comfort and instruction for holy living. We do not know how You will work in this situation but we praise You that You will always turn things around for our good and for Your purpose and glory. <P>Continue to guide Carole in all knowledge and wisdom, give her Your insight in what she should do and the boldness to follow through on what You tell her. Let her be a light for her husband Father, let him see her in a new way, let him see the danger before him and bring an observant brother to him as Nathan came to David.<P>We praise You for the fellowship that we have with You and with these ladies. We ask that You continue to teach us through our adversity that You might be glorified and that our praises will magnify from the mountain tops. IJN, Amen.

Oh yes, Carol, great idea! I'm going to borrow your idea of writing what you're thankful for down, and praying about it every night. I pray before going to sleep every night, and it does help me sleep better, without the strange dreams waking me up. <P>Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You Lord for working in Carol's life, and calling her husband to You. Lord, we thank you for keeping Carol and her husband together, in counseling, working on their marriage. Your unending love for us lifts us up Lord, and we thank you for it. Help Carol to continue to place all her anxiety at the foot of the cross, bringing her peace in her heart. Lord, we know You are working on Your plan for her life, her husband's life, and their marriage. We praise You and thank You for all you've done. Please bless Carol, Lord, and walk right next to her each and every day. Thank You Jesus. IJN AMEN

<P>Dear Carol, <P>Thanks for including me in your prayers! Your method of praying before sleep works for me too. I stopped it after H agreed to go into counseling, I got lazy. But have started up again. Same effect you had. I mentioned people in the Circle of Prayer at our child's school, thought about them and asked God to take care of them, as well as us. And a great feeling of peace came over me and I slept like a baby. <BR>I am grateful for:<BR>1) We're still living in the same house<BR>2) Our child is healthy and doing better generally<BR>3) Neither of us has addictions to drugs or alcohol <BR>4) No serious (or minor) health problems<BR>5) This web site<BR>6) H is participating in counseling (after refusing to for 8-1/2 months)<P>Carol14, you are now included in my prayers, and may you also sleep like a baby!<P>------------------<BR>Belle, Domestic Goddess<p>[This message has been edited by Bellevue (edited May 04, 2000).]

Carol, <BR>Prayer really works. It was the only thing that got me out of the obsessive thinking when it would attack me. I start singing praise songs. I listen to praise songs on the stereo, the car and put them in my walkman. It makes a big difference. It is the only thing along with reading Psalms that works for me. But if you stop to think of it I ask myself if I did it all the time instead of just when I start to get low, then maybe I wouldnt go there at all. Praying before bed and writing out what you are greatful for sounds fantastic. I journal some too. I have used the concordance in the back and looked up all the verses on a theme or a word. Like all verses that have the work praise in it. This helps too. I have even found sometimes that my prayers seem more powerful when I write them down. I wonder if it is on the same principal of speaking them out loud?<BR>I so glad to hear that you have been lifted out of the pit by Jesus. He is the only one who truely can. <BR>Father, I lift Carol up to you into your strong hands. Lord, let us all remember to stay in the vine. Because when we become detached we can no longer receive Your nourishment. Holy Father, we bow before you with love and joy. Thank You Jesus for always rescuing us from the pit. Thank you for restoring our hope and peace in You. Lord, thank You for bringing Carol to us in this group. Thank You for the opportunity to lift each other up to You in prayer. Lord, thank you for the opportunity to trust You, seek You, and to know You through these wonderful ladies. Lord, shine Your light of glory on Carol and light all the dark parts within her. Thank You Jesus, and we Prasie your holy name. In Jesus name, Amen<P>