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“Do not be anxious about anything…”
Phil. 4:6
Really? Not about finances, bills, taxes?
Training, meeting emotional needs, educating, loving my children patiently, dealing with their moods and developmental struggles?
Stress and loneliness in the challenges of marriage? Relationship conflict with friends, in-laws, others close to me?
Exhaustion? Illness in family? Feelings of loneliness and isolation? Overwhelm with ideals?
And life!
I’ll never forget the first time one of my teens was out at night and had to drive home in a snowstorm. I knew I was supposed to trust God, be at peace, but I knew storms and I knew my teen. I worried until they got home.
And I remember when my 8 month old was admitted at the hospital when she was barely breathing. Or when my child was in college and said they felt like they were so depressed they didn’t know if they would make it through the months of work ahead. The time I heard that my husband had had a wreck with my boys and their friends. Or when death of a loved one entered our doors unexpectedly.
Anxiety is a response to life when it feels dangerous or out of our control. We all have many anxious moments in our journeys. It is our heart, soul and mind’s reaction to moments when we feel deep fear, the feeling of being out of control during danger.
As I was on my walk today, I had you in my heart. In such a dark time, it is difficult to put aside our anxieties. Yet, I have learned slowly to move in the direction of trusting God more practically, learning to claim, feel how to breathe peace in those moments of such feelings.
Life for all is filled with such moments. Yet, it really is possible to gain perspective about life in a fallen world, to learn how to practice and get stronger at being courageous. It is possible to walk with God holding our hands through each time of darkness. God with us is His name.
Praying God grants you peace today, my friends.