Anxiety
– I have a choice to make
I am prone to anxiety. It is in my family history. I
have stomach issues before track meets, big tests, public speaking, my wedding
day, etc…
So, yes, I was expecting this familiar companion to
come around during our upcoming major life change… moving our family to an
unfamiliar land across the ocean to serve as missionaries. This time, however, I
can hear God whispering into my heart:
“You can drop this
unwanted companion. I did not send him to you. My arch enemy did. But I can
help you get rid of him. Anxiety does not have to accompany you on this
journey.”
“Do you think Moses had
the luxury of a master plan laid out before him, detailing what was going to
happen and when it was going to happen when I called him to deliver my people
from Egypt? And what about Mary when I called her to carry, deliver and raise
the Son of God? Did I give her a weekly schedule? And Paul when
I called him to carry the message of salvation all over the world? Did I
present him with an itinerary up front? No, my precious daughter. Like them, I have called you on a journey of faith.
I am not calling you to control this event,
so people can know how capable you are. I am
giving you the luxury of a sneak peak at where I’m leading you. Now, I want
you to trust Me and marvel at the ways I will bring it to pass. I want you to
point to Me when others marvel as well. Trust me and follow me. I have it all
under control and all mapped out. I’ll tell you what to do… one day at a time.
Rest in My capable hands. And don’t forget to enjoy the adventure!”
Wow! I have room for one companion on this journey.
“Trust” in Almighty God or “Anxiety” from the enemy. I have a choice to make.
When I wake up in the morning with an anxious
stomach ache, my head swarming with the million things I need to do- which quickly turns into a state of
being overwhelmed, I will, with the help of my Father, turn my thoughts in a
different direction. I will choose to trust
and be thankful. I will speak out loud:
“LORD,
I have heard Your call to Africa and I will trust You to get us there.
Those
who know Your Name will trust in You, for You, LORD, have never forsaken those
who seek You. ~Psalm 9:10
Trust
in the LORD with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In
all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. ~Prov.
3:5-6
Today, I will seek You. I will listen. And I
will do only what you tell me to do.
But
seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be
given to you as well. ~Matt. 6:33
I
claim Your peace in this moment. In the
Name of Jesus, I will not let the
enemy steal it from me.
Now
may the LORD of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. ~2Thes. 3:16
Cast
all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and
alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for
someone to devour. ~1 Peter 5:7-8
The
thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have
life and have it to the full. ~John 10:10
I’m
not going to pretend that I have the strength or time management skills to pull
this off. You are my strength.
The
LORD is the stronghold of my life. ~Psalm 27:1
For
I am the LORD your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do
not fear, I will help you.’ ~Isaiah 41:13
I
will follow You as You lead me… one day at a time.
”
Therefore,
do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has
enough trouble of its own. ~Matthew 6: 34
I have been using a
devotional book called Jesus Calling
by Sarah Young in my quiet time with God each morning. The following are some
excerpts that have been especially challenging to me:
“When your focus is
firmly on Me, My peace displaces fear and worries. They will encircle you
seeking entrance, so you must stay alert! Let trust and thankfulness stand guard, turning back fear before it can
gain a foothold.” (Jesus Calling, June 3rd)
“Welcome challenging
times as opportunities to trust Me. You have Me beside you and My Spirit is within
you, so no set of circumstances is too much for you to handle. When the path
before you is dotted with difficulties, beware of measuring your strength
against those challenges. That calculation is sure to riddle you with anxiety!
Without me, you wouldn’t make it past the first hurdle… Let your thoughts and
spoken words be richly flavored with trust
and thankfulness. Regardless of the days [challenges], I can keep you in perfect peace as you stay
close to me.” (Jesus Calling, June 4th)
Antidote
for fear and anxiety = Trust and thankfulness
And so I am claiming this verse: LORD, You have established peace for us; all
that we have accomplished You have done for us. ~Isaiah 26:12
In church on
Sunday, we sang the song Give Me Faith
(to listen on YouTube, click here) by Elevation Worship and as we sang
these words, I felt my heart crying out to God:
“I may be weak… but Your Spirit’s
strong in me!
My flesh may fail… but
My God, You never will!”
What a privilege it is to serve Almighty God! His
love and grace and mercy and power humble me.
Oh, how I love You. Oh, how I trust You. May my life
bring honor and glory and praise to Your holy Name. Please use our family to Declare Your glory among the nations, Your
marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the LORD and most worthy of
praise! ~Psalm 96:3-4
