I will forever be grateful to stumble upon A Course in Miracles as it literally changed my way of thinking. It has helped me manage my anxiety.
We all find ourselves in that moment where one second, we think regular thoughts and in the next, we’re in a never-ending flow of thoughts that don’t feel good.
And yet, somehow, we keep on doing it.
Even more, there are problems you’d want to solve even if these concerns are not real at the moment. They are all in your mind!
This post will share seven powerful lessons from A Course in Miracles that can help you effectively manage your overthinking episodes.
This is not a one-time event nor a skill you can learn overnight. Remember as with all skills, it takes active commitment and consistent effort to maximize these gifts.
Read on for more bonus tips at the end.
My grievances hide the light of the world in me. (A Course in Miracles – Lesson 69)
Everything you’ve wanted has always been within: peace, joy, satisfaction and fulfillment. However over time, you covered this wonderful state of being with distractions that lead you away from your own light.
One of the ways you dim your light is through grievances. It doesn’t matter if it’s personal or a global issue, anything that you give your attention to means it’s what you prioritize and value.
A Course in Miracles teaches that grievances will never bring you peace of mind no matter how justified they may seem.
There is no satisfaction in feeding your grievances as they will only fester and develop into persistent negative thinking.
When grievances start to form in your mind, gently let them go. Then watch as the blackout curtains of your grievances give way to the radiant light that’s always within you.
Holding grievances is an attack on God’s plan for salvation. (A Course in Miracles – Lesson 72)
The moment you were born is the moment God set His plan into motion: for you to live an amazing life.
A Course in Miracles reminds us that “complete security and perfect fulfillment” are our inheritance.
You were meant to live a good, no, a GREAT life. And the only thing that hinders you from this promised blessing is your own grievances.
You have complete free will to the point that you can choose to block your own path to fulfillment.
God’s plan for salvation (joy and peace) will never waver and is permanent. However, each grievance that you pay attention to becomes an unnecessary stopover.
It is a hindrance that serves no purpose other than delaying you from enjoying what was yours to begin with.
Let me recognize the problem so it can be solved. (A Course in Miracles – Lesson 90)
Anxiety arises because you feel like you don’t have control of the situation. This is the root of all negative thinking because it leads you to visualize and imagine all the things that could go wrong.
One way to ease the burden of anxious thinking is to identify your greatest concern as of the moment.
Not what problem you might have tomorrow or next year but at as of the present moment.
Oftentimes, you realize that in the present, there is no real problem that urgently needs to be solved. Somehow, this present moment shows itself as okay, or maybe even peaceful if properly reflected on.
Identifying the problem is the first step to manage anxiety as it gives a first glimpse of control. Specially in times when you feel powerless and are at the mercy of your thoughts.
I rule my mind, which I alone must rule. (A Course in Miracles – Lesson 236)
This is the ultimate statement of your accountability and power. You have the keys to doors that lead you to either feeling good or feeling bad.
You can always choose at every moment of your life and the choice you make brings experiences that reflect that path you have decided to take.
It never hurts to hear inputs from other people. But it all boils down to the fact that you are in complete control of your mind, and you are the master of your awareness.
Choose wisely by choosing empowering thoughts. You then claim your birthright as the driver of your destiny.
I am at home. Fear is the stranger here. (A Course in Miracles – Lesson 160)
Another dominant emotion during an anxiety attack is fear. This stems from feeling a loss of control of your own thoughts, which is scary.
Not knowing how the next moment unfolds brings a tremendous sense of worry. Furthermore, not knowing when an episode or the anxious feelings will stop is yet another source of fear.
To effectively manage anxiety, you need to remember the fact that you are at home and a home will always be a haven of safety. To be home is to be comfortable and at peace.
Any fearsome thought is not welcomed as it has never been a part of who you truly are. Therefore, any fear-inducing thought is not meant to stay per the natural state of things.
Remember that any thought that makes you afraid is a signal that you have unwanted guests in your mind.
You can politely say they have overstayed their welcome and that you’d like for them to leave. Then kick them out.
I place the future in the Hands of God. (A Course in Miracles – Lesson 194)
Anxiety can you make you feel you have no control. And that you have no choice but to give into the uncomfortable and painful feeling of losing a grip on your current thinking.
Ironically, one of the best ways to manage your anxiety is to surrender all to the thought that your future has already been decided and is in the Hands of God. A Course in Miracles emphasizes this idea.
A future filled with joy, peace, abundance, health, happiness and fulfillment has always been yours for the taking. Therefore, any stress, struggle and sacrifice in any moment can arguably be considered unnecessary.
To place the future in the Hands of God is to have faith that an anxiety attack will end. It is but a temporary state that will eventually change.
To place the future in the Hands of God is to believe that your thoughts in the moment will pass and that you are certain of the only fact that matters: a bright and blessed future already awaits you.
Peace to my mind. Let all my thoughts be still. (Lesson 221)
This is the most powerful of all the lessons from A Course in Miracles to help you manage anxiety.
It circles back to the fact that you have ALL the capacity and power to dictate what thoughts you let in.
This lesson is a decision and a commitment that what you value the most is the peace that has always been there.
There’s nothing more important to you than returning to the blessed state of being that can only be felt in peace.
This is also where you finally assume the role of God’s co-creator through dominion over your thoughts.
This is the moment you make all the noise and commotion stop. You then enter the state of strength that is the stillness of your mind.
Bonus Tips
As promised, here are some bonus tips to empower your thinking further.
I will always advocate for the power of journalling and putting your thoughts into paper. These bonus tips (and all the lessons in this post for that matter) can actually become your next journal prompts.
BONUS TIP 1: Always reflect on the world you are experiencing. This is an indication that your perception might need an upgrade.
A Course in Miracle states “The world you see does nothing. It has no effects at all. It merely represents your thoughts.” (W-pI.190.7:1-3)
This is very empowering as it assures you of your inherent power to give meaning to the world you are experiencing.
Always remember, you have the power to choose.
BONUS TIP 2: Always reflect on the things that matter to you. There is no judgment in the things that make you happy but keep in mind that what you value can also sometimes be a burden that hold you back or even stress you out.
A Course in Miracle states “Each thing you value here is but a chain that binds you to the world, and it will serve no other end but this.” (W-pI.128.2:1)
When the things that are important to you bring more sadness and fear than happiness and fulfillment, it may be the opportune time to take a step back, journal and reflect on your values.
This can be both a refreshing and at the same time intimidating task. This is because it asks you to become vulnerable enough to assess if you value the worthwhile things in life.
Remember that you are a powerful creator, and an extension of God. The same energy that makes up the stars are also within every fiber of your being.
If you feel like your thoughts are taking over, take a deep breath and know that you can always choose what your next thought will be.
Let me know which of these lessons from A Course in Miracles resonated with you the most. I’d love to hear how you have reflected on these journal prompts.
Acknowledgement of Reference
All quotes are from A Course in Miracles, copyright ©1992, 1999, 2007 by the Foundation for Inner Peace, 448 Ignacio Blvd., #306, Novato, CA 94949, www.acim.org and info@acim.org, used with permission.
