| PASTOR'S COUNSELING COMPENDIUM How to Counsel the Anxious Person: A Bible-based Systemic Guide for Pastors and Lay Ministers Larry L. Cornine, EdD Christopher K. Cornine, PhD Copyright © 2005 by Didasko Ministry Resources, LLC |
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forms located in the Forms folder on this CD granted to original purchaser.
For information, write Didasko Ministry Resources, LLC, P.O. Box 1945 Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
(816) 824-1355 www.didaskoministry.com
“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” Matt 28:20
from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. Permission to photocopy
forms located in the Forms folder on this CD granted to original purchaser.
For information, write Didasko Ministry Resources, LLC, P.O. Box 1945 Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
(816) 824-1355 www.didaskoministry.com
“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” Matt 28:20
Table of Contents
Introduction
Session 1: Anxiety and the Body
Session 2: Perception and Anxiety, Part 1
Session 3: Perception and Anxiety, Part 2
Session 4: Increasing Trust: Scripture
Session 5: Increasing Trust: Prayer
Session 6: Increasing Trust: Holy Spirit
When to Refer
About the Authors
Introduction
Session 1: Anxiety and the Body
Session 2: Perception and Anxiety, Part 1
Session 3: Perception and Anxiety, Part 2
Session 4: Increasing Trust: Scripture
Session 5: Increasing Trust: Prayer
Session 6: Increasing Trust: Holy Spirit
When to Refer
About the Authors
Session 1: Anxiety and the Body
Materials Needed:
Copy of Form 1
Bible(s)
Pencil and Paper
3x5 Card
Focus: Body
This session focuses on the bodily sensations of anxiety. It helps the counselee use their bodily symptoms as a positive rather than
a negative force, to view them as a “friend” rather than a “foe.” The procedure you will use is as follows: First, review the common body
symptoms associated with anxiety. Second, ask the counselee to identify their bodily symptoms. Third, ask what he or she does
when feeling the symptoms. Fourth, teach them to how to use the symptoms in a positive way, rather than be frightened by them. You
will teach them to see the body symptoms as a signal to drive them towards God by acting differently. The different action is a
scripturally guided thought and behavior process based upon Philippians 4:6-7, which connects them to God. You will call this a
Spiritual Prescription, SpRx. Finally, you will practice this Scriptural-Cognitive-Behavioral prescription, SpRx, and make this the first
entry to their LifePlan.
Teach- Providing Knowledge
Begin with a very simple definition of anxiety. Say, “Anxiety feels as if you are being pulled in two different directions at the same time.”
Look for agreement or for the counselee. Then review some of the common anxiety symptoms. These include symptoms such as
tension, nervousness, tingling sensations, confusion, dry mouth, racing thoughts, poor concentration, and increased pulse and heart
rate, etc. There are many other symptoms as well. Now ask, “What are your symptoms?” He or she may say that he/she worries a lot,
feels fatigued, doesn’t sleep well, and has muscle tension. It is not necessary that you have all of the symptoms to be described as
being anxious.
At this point simply accept the symptoms as valid and ask, “When you have these symptoms, what do you think and do? What
thoughts go through your mind? How do you act?” Listen for thoughts such as, “I think I am going crazy” or “Something is terribly
wrong with me” or “Where does all this come from?” Then ask, “What do you do?” Listen for “I try to put this out of my mind,” “I focus
on myself,” and/or “I become even more afraid something is really wrong with me.” Now ask, “Does any of this help?” “Does your
anxiety decrease, stay the same, or does it increase?” Now say, “I will teach you a technique that helps you decrease anxiety.” State,
“We will practice the technique before you leave and I want you to practice the technique each time you become anxious.”
Ask the counselee to open their Bible to Philippians 4:6. You read as they follow. Now say, “The first thing I want you to do the next
time you feel anxious is to accept the feelings as a friend.” They will likely look puzzled. Continue by saying, “Instead of being afraid of
the symptoms, let’s use the symptoms in a positive way. Here is the positive way: Let the symptoms be a signal that drives you to
connect with God.” Note this, “Instead of becoming afraid, activate Philippians 4:6. These verses give us a Spiritual Prescription that
tells us what to do.” Write this prescription on the board and have the counselee write the prescription on paper. Say this, “The
scripture tells us to 1) Do not worry about anything.” The counselee may smile and say that that is-easier-said-than-done. Agree, with
them and say, “Here is the next step; 2) Instead, pray about everything.” Define what this means. Note, 3) “Tell God your need.” Say,
“In this context, tell God what you are presently thinking and feeling.” Then say, “The last step is, 4) ‘Thank Him for His answers.’”
Ask the counselee to write these four steps on the 3x5 card you gave them.
After they write the SpRx on the card, have them read Philippians 4: 7. Now ask, “What is the promise God gives through His Word
when you do this?” Reinforce the scripture’s promise, “If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful
than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep you hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.” The Book
Next, ask the counselee to write on their paper as you write on the board, F.E.W. Tell the counselee that you will use this again.
Explain that when he or she uses the SpRx, his/her anxiety will decrease because he/she is worshiping God, not focusing on anxiety.
Now show the “how.” State that “Faith infused thinking, produces faith infused Emotions, which result in faith infused actions we call
Worship.” Say, “When you do this, you are worshiping your heavenly Father.” You find your peace, your Shalom!
Absorb- Processing Knowledge
Use Form 1 to help the counselee absorb and assimilate the teaching.
Practice- Knowledge in Action
Use this portion of the session for guided practice. Tell the counselee that you want them to practice the SpRx to prepare them to use
it this week and until you meet again. Let them know that they will make this a part of their LifePlan and you will follow-up on their
progress at the next session.
Next, ask the counselee to think about an anxious provoking situation, one of their frequent worry thoughts. Ask them to rate their
anxious feelings using a 1 to 10 scale with 10 the highest anxiety rating. Ask them to create the highest rating possible. Now when
the rating is as high as possible, ask them to repeat the first step of the SpRx. He or she should verbalize the first step, “Don’t worry
about anything.” Then ask him or her to verbalize the next step, “Pray about everything.” Ask him/her to, “Tell God your need.” This
means praying to God to explain what he or she needs. Then have the counselee conclude by, “Thanking God for His answers.”
After completing the process, ask the counselee to rate his or her anxiety. Note that a decrease in the intensity is progress. If the level
is still uncomfortable, repeat the process. Assure them that upon God’s Word, the process has the correct effect. They may need to
practice it several time to reduce stress.
Now ask them to write the process on their 3x5 card. Tell them to keep the card with them this week and practice this process of
worship when their anxious feeling arise and drive them to connect with The Father. Have them record with an “I” each time they used
the SpRx and their anxiety levels before and after using the process.
Evaluation- Assessment of the LifePlan
Remind the counselee that you will check their progress at the next session. Let him or her know that you are biblically required to be
an accountability agent in this case. Let them know that you are the counselee’s “watchman on the wall.”
You may share this information if you wish or just use it to remind yourself that you have an accountability responsibility towards the
counselee.
Christians are fully accountable to the Lord and in a limited, yet crucial way, for other Christians. Ezekiel 33:6 depicts this limited
accountability using the believer-watchman illustration.
“If the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes the life of
one of them, that man will be taken away because of his sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.”
The believer-watchman is responsible to “speak out (to the wicked) to dissuade him from his ways” 33:8.
“When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will die!’ and you do not tell him what I say, so that he does not repent-that wicked
person will die in his sins, but I will hold you responsible for his death.”
This teaches that the believer-watchman is obligated to influence the free choice of others toward good, but is not responsible for
how the person warned responds.
Revision- Fine Tuning the LifePlan
Based upon feedback form the counselee at the next session, you will revise and strengthen the LifePlan.
Materials Needed:
Copy of Form 1
Bible(s)
Pencil and Paper
3x5 Card
Focus: Body
This session focuses on the bodily sensations of anxiety. It helps the counselee use their bodily symptoms as a positive rather than
a negative force, to view them as a “friend” rather than a “foe.” The procedure you will use is as follows: First, review the common body
symptoms associated with anxiety. Second, ask the counselee to identify their bodily symptoms. Third, ask what he or she does
when feeling the symptoms. Fourth, teach them to how to use the symptoms in a positive way, rather than be frightened by them. You
will teach them to see the body symptoms as a signal to drive them towards God by acting differently. The different action is a
scripturally guided thought and behavior process based upon Philippians 4:6-7, which connects them to God. You will call this a
Spiritual Prescription, SpRx. Finally, you will practice this Scriptural-Cognitive-Behavioral prescription, SpRx, and make this the first
entry to their LifePlan.
Teach- Providing Knowledge
Begin with a very simple definition of anxiety. Say, “Anxiety feels as if you are being pulled in two different directions at the same time.”
Look for agreement or for the counselee. Then review some of the common anxiety symptoms. These include symptoms such as
tension, nervousness, tingling sensations, confusion, dry mouth, racing thoughts, poor concentration, and increased pulse and heart
rate, etc. There are many other symptoms as well. Now ask, “What are your symptoms?” He or she may say that he/she worries a lot,
feels fatigued, doesn’t sleep well, and has muscle tension. It is not necessary that you have all of the symptoms to be described as
being anxious.
At this point simply accept the symptoms as valid and ask, “When you have these symptoms, what do you think and do? What
thoughts go through your mind? How do you act?” Listen for thoughts such as, “I think I am going crazy” or “Something is terribly
wrong with me” or “Where does all this come from?” Then ask, “What do you do?” Listen for “I try to put this out of my mind,” “I focus
on myself,” and/or “I become even more afraid something is really wrong with me.” Now ask, “Does any of this help?” “Does your
anxiety decrease, stay the same, or does it increase?” Now say, “I will teach you a technique that helps you decrease anxiety.” State,
“We will practice the technique before you leave and I want you to practice the technique each time you become anxious.”
Ask the counselee to open their Bible to Philippians 4:6. You read as they follow. Now say, “The first thing I want you to do the next
time you feel anxious is to accept the feelings as a friend.” They will likely look puzzled. Continue by saying, “Instead of being afraid of
the symptoms, let’s use the symptoms in a positive way. Here is the positive way: Let the symptoms be a signal that drives you to
connect with God.” Note this, “Instead of becoming afraid, activate Philippians 4:6. These verses give us a Spiritual Prescription that
tells us what to do.” Write this prescription on the board and have the counselee write the prescription on paper. Say this, “The
scripture tells us to 1) Do not worry about anything.” The counselee may smile and say that that is-easier-said-than-done. Agree, with
them and say, “Here is the next step; 2) Instead, pray about everything.” Define what this means. Note, 3) “Tell God your need.” Say,
“In this context, tell God what you are presently thinking and feeling.” Then say, “The last step is, 4) ‘Thank Him for His answers.’”
Ask the counselee to write these four steps on the 3x5 card you gave them.
After they write the SpRx on the card, have them read Philippians 4: 7. Now ask, “What is the promise God gives through His Word
when you do this?” Reinforce the scripture’s promise, “If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful
than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep you hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.” The Book
Next, ask the counselee to write on their paper as you write on the board, F.E.W. Tell the counselee that you will use this again.
Explain that when he or she uses the SpRx, his/her anxiety will decrease because he/she is worshiping God, not focusing on anxiety.
Now show the “how.” State that “Faith infused thinking, produces faith infused Emotions, which result in faith infused actions we call
Worship.” Say, “When you do this, you are worshiping your heavenly Father.” You find your peace, your Shalom!
Absorb- Processing Knowledge
Use Form 1 to help the counselee absorb and assimilate the teaching.
Practice- Knowledge in Action
Use this portion of the session for guided practice. Tell the counselee that you want them to practice the SpRx to prepare them to use
it this week and until you meet again. Let them know that they will make this a part of their LifePlan and you will follow-up on their
progress at the next session.
Next, ask the counselee to think about an anxious provoking situation, one of their frequent worry thoughts. Ask them to rate their
anxious feelings using a 1 to 10 scale with 10 the highest anxiety rating. Ask them to create the highest rating possible. Now when
the rating is as high as possible, ask them to repeat the first step of the SpRx. He or she should verbalize the first step, “Don’t worry
about anything.” Then ask him or her to verbalize the next step, “Pray about everything.” Ask him/her to, “Tell God your need.” This
means praying to God to explain what he or she needs. Then have the counselee conclude by, “Thanking God for His answers.”
After completing the process, ask the counselee to rate his or her anxiety. Note that a decrease in the intensity is progress. If the level
is still uncomfortable, repeat the process. Assure them that upon God’s Word, the process has the correct effect. They may need to
practice it several time to reduce stress.
Now ask them to write the process on their 3x5 card. Tell them to keep the card with them this week and practice this process of
worship when their anxious feeling arise and drive them to connect with The Father. Have them record with an “I” each time they used
the SpRx and their anxiety levels before and after using the process.
Evaluation- Assessment of the LifePlan
Remind the counselee that you will check their progress at the next session. Let him or her know that you are biblically required to be
an accountability agent in this case. Let them know that you are the counselee’s “watchman on the wall.”
You may share this information if you wish or just use it to remind yourself that you have an accountability responsibility towards the
counselee.
Christians are fully accountable to the Lord and in a limited, yet crucial way, for other Christians. Ezekiel 33:6 depicts this limited
accountability using the believer-watchman illustration.
“If the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes the life of
one of them, that man will be taken away because of his sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.”
The believer-watchman is responsible to “speak out (to the wicked) to dissuade him from his ways” 33:8.
“When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will die!’ and you do not tell him what I say, so that he does not repent-that wicked
person will die in his sins, but I will hold you responsible for his death.”
This teaches that the believer-watchman is obligated to influence the free choice of others toward good, but is not responsible for
how the person warned responds.
Revision- Fine Tuning the LifePlan
Based upon feedback form the counselee at the next session, you will revise and strengthen the LifePlan.
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