Posts Tagged ‘anxiety’

An Encouragement When Feeling Down

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

My best intentions to post on Monday fell apart due to running from one meeting to the next to the next literally all day. One of those meetings was with a friend named Pam Franklin.

my friend Pam

We met at a writers’ workshop in Saskatchewan several years ago and began emailing shortly afterwards. Last summer she and her family moved to BC. It’s a real treat having Pam live only 20 minutes’ drive from my home now.

Anyway, the transition hasn’t been as easy as anticipated, and Pam has told me of  her struggles. She’s also shared some valuable insights learned through this experience. I asked if she’d write about it for the purpose of posting on this blog because I think some of you might find her insights encouraging. She agreed. And so, meet Pam:

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I’m reading 1 Peter this month and often end up chewing over just one or two verses. A couple of days ago 1 Peter 1:2b stood out:

“May God give you more and more grace and peace.”

I had just journalled about worrying too much and was needing some verses to counteract the anxiety I’ve faced over the last few months. Let me explain. Our family left Saskatchewan for BC three-and-a-half months ago in two stuffed cars:  two parents, three kids, two goldfish and a border collie. Scarcely six weeks had passed since we’d received the email that prompted our move.

“Accepted into seminary!” it read. My husband had made it! We’d pastored nearly ten years in a church we loved, living in a home we owned, close to our families. But then God planted a restlessness in us. After months of prayerful seeking it had finally happened – the green light for “go” appeared.

We clung to Jeremiah 29:11-13 as the pace of life accelerated. Within six weeks, we’d found a house on the west coast, sold our house on the prairies, packed, and moved.

We’d all looked forward to the mountains, the sea, the beauty and milder climate, and the adrenaline rush of something new. But, to put it in my son’s words – we hadn’t realized how much we’d leave behind.

Many mornings in the early fall I’d wake up breathless, a heavy feeling in my chest. I’d drag myself to the kitchen to journal and read with tears in my eyes. In a few weeks I’d gone from familiar roles as a pastor’s wife, and stay-at-home mom who taught a few piano students, to being the only one not in school in an unfamiliar house full of cardboard moving boxes. Overwhelmed, I unpacked and attempted PHT (Putting Hubby Through) job searches, trying and failing to appear cheerful when the kids came home from school missing their friends, family and “home.”

How had such confident trust that God had called us turned into this puddle of tears? Deep down I knew God was still in control. He hadn’t moved us to suddenly abandon us at this end. Still I complained, I cried, I was moody. I was ready to pack up and go back.

I am sure many have been praying for us because, in the past few weeks, I’ve sensed the turning of a corner. Resignation is turning to acceptance. When I read in 1 Peter 1:2 about God giving us more and more grace and peace, I’m reminded of God’s unlimited resources (Eph. 3:16). When I’m at the end of my limits and unable to cope, or worried about dwindling finances, God’s resources—both physical and spiritual—never end.

As I ponder Peter’s words, I picture a little girl asking her daddy to twirl her “more and more.” She holds her arms up as she begs for “just one more swing,” and her daddy delights to grant her request (again and again) because he loves her so much.

How much more does my heavenly Father give grace and peace when I ask? Here’s a hint: Ephesians 3 says He gives “exceedingly, abundantly, more than we can ask or even imagine.”

I’m like that little girl, holding my arms heavenward and asking my Father, my Abba, for more and more grace and peace. And my heavenly Father, who loves me dearly, responds to my request from His unlimited resources.

Grace and peace—lavished on me over and over again.

Whatever your situation is today, may you discover the beauty of this truth. Grace and peace, grace and peace, grace and peace—ask the Father for them, and He will give them to you.

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Grace here again. I trust you’ve found Pam’s testimony to be an encouragement. And now, here’s a question for you. Think about the things Pam said and then fill in the blank: “I need God’s grace and peace today for _____________________________.” Post your answer if you feel free to do so.

I’ll be back on Friday!

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The Cure for Anxiety

Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

I’ve got a ton of stuff on my mind today. I’m thinking about my visit next week with a childhood friend who’s now in hospice, preparing PowerPoint presentations for seven speaking sessions, planning for an upcoming 5-week missions trip to Poland and Romania, spreading word about my new Bible study, and writing a couple of book proposals.

Quite honestly, it’s easy to feel anxious. But in the midst of it all, God plops a few Scriptures into my path and reminds me that I’m not dealing with this alone. I love it when He does that. Here’s what He said this time:

“I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever” (Psalm 121:1-8).

The God who spoke these mountains into existence is the One who watches over my life!

Good stuff, eh? You know what really blesses me? The frequent reminder of God’s presence and power in my life today and always. I know He’s beside me and will be my source of strength. The same is true for you. No matter what you face today, know that God watches over your life and will be your help if you’re in right relationship with Him.

Oswald Chambers encourages us to be obsessed by God—to be always mindful that He is with us and around us and living in us at all times if we’ve placed our saving faith in Jesus Christ. He says this knowledge ought to make a difference in our outlook when we feel stressed. He writes,

“If we are obsessed by God, nothing else can get into our lives—not concerns, not tribulations, not worries. And now we understand why our Lord so emphasized the sin of worrying. How dare we be so unbelieving when God totally surrounds us? To be obsessed by God is to have an effective barricade against all the assaults of the enemy.”

He’s right! And so, I choose to believe that God knows my concerns and will be my help today. And tomorrow. And the next day, and the next. Every time I feel anxious, I’ll thank Him that He watches over my life and promises to be my help.

What do these verses mean to you today?

Photo courtesy: www.christianphotos.net

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What do People See When They Look at Us?

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

Here’s a thought for the day, based on Galatians 2:4 where Paul wrote about false Christians spying on him. These folks were entrenched in religious rules and regulations, but they’d heard Paul’s message about “freedom in Christ” and wanted to see what that looked like in real life.   

When people – especially those entrenched in hopelessness or fear – look at me or you, what do they see? I’m not talking about the color of our shirt or the highlights in our hair. I’m talking about other stuff…our countenance, the reflection in our eyes, and our body language. When people look at me or you, do they see…

a)     a woman wrapped in peace or warped by worry?

b)     a woman who faces the future with confidence or with anxiety?

c)     a woman who reflects joy or the jitters?

Hopefully we can circle the first option in each of the above. And hopefully we don’t need to add a conditional clause such as, “When others look at me, they see a woman wrapped in peace except at certain times of the month,” or “When others look at me, they see a woman who faces the future with confidence unless that future is lookin’ a bit gloomy,” or “When others look at me, they see a woman who reflects joy except when circumstances don’t turn out the way she wishes.”

If we profess to know Christ, then let’s ensure that our lives reflect the hope and peace that’s at our disposal. That doesn’t mean we have to be “happy, happy, happy” all the time – personally, I think that mentality’s a farce. In real life, we face tragedies and heartbreaks, and we shed real tears. But in the midst of those difficulties, we have hope because Christ lives in and through us. He will never leave us or forsake us. He promises to provide for us, care for us, and hide us in the shelter of His wing.

When people look at me or you, let’s ensure they see Christ in us, the hope of glory. For me, that means learning to express immediate thankfulness to God no matter what circumstances come my way. What change (s) must take place in your life for that to happen on a consistent basis?

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Women

Monday, July 13th, 2009

Women are a fascinating study. Last week, while riding the city train in London, I sat opposite a lady covered in black. Even her hands were gloved. The only exposed part of her body were her eyes. I would have loved to have had the opportunity to ask her about her life – childhood, career, marriage and family, traditions, hopes and dreams. What lay in the heart and mind of this sister behind the black veil?

In Eastern Europe I see women clothed in black, too. These are senior villagers – stooped, wrinkled, and worn.

A senior Romanian lady with whom I did a craft. Isn't she a sweetie?

A senior Romanian lady with whom I did a craft. Isn't she a sweetie?

In Communist days no one wanted to draw attention to themselves, and these women behave the same way today, avoiding eye contact with others when walking down the street. What atrocities have they endured? And how do they survive on a daily basis when they have next to nothing to eat and often no electricity or indoor plumbing? In stark contrast, young women in the same countries are attending college and preparing for a career. Wearing skin-tight jeans or flowing skirts and stylish high heels, they strut down cobblestone streets while chatting on their cell phones.

Scripture talks about a woman named Sheerah. We don’t know what she looked like, but we know what she did. “Ephraim had a daughter named Sheerah. She built the towns of Lower and Upper Beth-horon and Uzzen-sheerah” (1 Chronicles 7:24). I’m in the back of a van riding through Hungary as I write this, so I don’t have study materials at my fingertips to explore this more. However, based on what we know about the culture of that day, Sheerah must have been an extraordinary woman, a leader, a motivator. She had a vision and knew how to fulfill it. She was a team player, able to work with others to accomplish a purpose. What a gal! I wonder how others accepted her and her giftedness. No doubt some followed her leadership; others probably tsk-tsked and criticized her efforts and passion.

Yes, women make for an interesting study. Some are ruled by fear and anxiety. Others rise to seize challenges before them. Some are overcomers – they have to be because they live in abuse or poverty worse than anyone can imagine. Some are creative geniuses. Others are gifted teachers, administrators, caregivers, nurturers, behind-the-scenes servants, artisans.

The differences are many, but they all share one common factor: God loves them and has gifted them to fulfill His purpose for their lives. How exciting is that? May we rise to the call even if means swimming upstream sometimes. And may we be faithful to help those younger, those coming behind us to do the same.

One of my favorite photos from our trip to India.

One of my favorite photos from our trip to India.

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