12 Beliefs - Steps of Anxiety - Anonymous

A-A Belief / Step #1

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I have a brand new identity. A new 'I'. A new 'ME'

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(Per scripture, when a person receives the Holy Spirit, their SOUL (the human person - the 'I/ME') moves from being united with the 'old man/flesh' self, to being united with the 'new man/Spirit' self. They become a new person with a new identity. Therefore, and here is where liberation begins for most people . . . . . . . anxious / negative thinking no longer stems from 'THEM'. It stems from the 'old man' self. They've been set free)

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A-A Belief/Step #2

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I can choose what my mind's ATTENTION is placed on.

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(Per scripture, people are called to practice throughout the day, willfully using their 'observing' mind' faculty to see what their mind's 'attention' is placed on. If it's on an anxious story, we're told to direct the will to gently move our 'attention' away from the 'mind story' . . . and towards our present moment/direct experience . . . . what is actually seen, heard, tasted, smelled, touched . . . living life)

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A-A Belief/Step #3

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I accept and acknowledge whatever thoughts or feelings that are occuring in the present moment​

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(We practice acknowledging, accepting, and welcoming anxious thoughts and feelings when they occur. We can't deny reality.  Well, we can, but we then experience suffering. We choose not to resist 'what is' actually happening in the present moment. Because, whatever we resist, just persists and grows stronger. 

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A-A Belief/Step #4

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God is causing all things to work together for my spiritual good

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(While we'll never fully understand how, by an act of faith, we choose to practice believing God's Word that somehow - someway, God is mysteriously causing all things to work together for our good)

 

A-A Belief/Step #5

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I confront 'sticky' anxious thoughts and/or feelings by speaking Truth and/or giving them to God

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When anxious thinking and mind stories have 'free-reign' (not promptly responded to with Truth, or, given/cast to God), strongholds often occur (ex. anxiety, OCD, depression). Scripture tells us to: practice gently confronting thoughts and feelings such as anger, fear, and guilt with Truth, God's Word (ex. I don't worry about life, the body, or tomorrow),  and/or 2. practice giving them to God, like a gift, making an act of faith that God does take them whether it feels like it or not. Action tool:

1. "Hello anxiety, WELCOME"

2. "You're not from I"

3. "Your story's a lie"

4. "I give you to God"

5. "I move my attention back to 'sense' living"

 

A-A Belief/Step #6 

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God's power is being perfected in me when I experience anxiety

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(As scripture says, God's grace is sufficient for us. His power is made perfect in us when we are weakened. Therefore, we practice choosing to boast all the more gladly about our weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on us)

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A-A Belief/Step #7

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Renewing my mind as scripture instructs, is a life long journey

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(The words 'transformed' and 'renewal' imply renewing our minds takes time. We practice not believing mind lies such as: "you're not doing it right", "you're taking too long", "if you were just holier you woudn't experience anxiety", "you'll never be restored", etc.)

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A-A Belief/Step #8

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Taking time to be still is a key in my restoration

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(Practicing Christian centering prayer, ideally once in the morning and once in the evening, leads to: a calmer mind, more energy, a calmer nervous system, and a greater sense of God's presence)

  

A-A Belief/Step #9

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The more relaxed my body is, the less anxious thoughts I'll experience

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(To lower the body's 'flight or fight' response, we can practice a progressive body relaxation exercise. Ideally twice a day; once in the morning and once in the evening (A-A recommends Dr. Gail Brenner's audio)

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A-A Belief/Step #10

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Renewing my mind contributes to my restoration

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(Christian believers are called to be transformed by the renewal of their minds, a directive that likely 99% of believers ever undertake.  It's not an easy directive, but it's a renewing one. While anxious mind stories/thoughts will never entirely cease in this life because of  original sin/concupiscence, by practicing the renewing of our minds, they eventually become powerless to influence us anymore)

 

A-A Belief/Step #11.

 

Anxious thinking is totally normal, whether one is a Christian or not

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Since 80% (percentage decreases for Christians who choose to work on renewing their minds) of the random, automatic, unplanned thoughts that the average person experiences are negative or not helpful, we practice choosing not to believe self-condemning thoughts for experiencing them. And besides, they aren't 'US'' anyways. They originate from the 'old man' self that scripture refers to, which isn't our true/real identity any longer (Step #1). 

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A-A Belief/Step #12

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Since I'm never condemned by God, I'm merciful to others

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(When our bodies do things we don't want them to do, it's not us who does them, it's the sin living within us that does them. Since we are never condemned by God, we practice being merciful to others. Because, they too may do things they don't want to do, so, it's also not them who does them either)​

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1. (Catechism of the Catholic church) (Romans 10:9)

2. (2Corinthians 10:5)

3. (Carl Jung)

4. (Romans 8:28)

5. (1Peter 5:7) (2Corinthians 10:5)

6. (2Corinthians 12:9-11) (Psalm 70) 

7. (Romans 12:2)

8. (Psalm 46:10) (Mark 1:35).

9. (1Peter 5:10)

10. (Galatians 5:17) (Romans 7:19-21)

11. (Rev. Thomas Keating)

12. (Romans 7:15-20) (Romans 8:38-39)​​​​​​​​​​​