Anxiety, let’s talk about it.
I would be naive to think that we have not had our bad days as we are now in August during this pandemic and there is so much going on around us. We see so much division on our social media platforms, the news shares constant updates, there are uncertainties of the unknown, and honestly, it can feel so overwhelming.
What are we to do?
A few days ago, I woke up feeling so much anxiety of what the future would look like. I woke up feeling paralyzed with anxiety, stress, and worry that I couldn’t even come up with the words of what to pray. I was wrestling and feeling consumed by my thoughts that I felt defeated.
There was nothing and no one that could bring peace, except God.
With the little strength I had, I asked Him for help. He reminded me of a time when I attended Bible College many years ago when I had experienced a similar time of anxiety and fear.
He reminded me of Philippians 4:6-7 in the NKJV which says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
I remember confiding in friends and seeking out prayer, but the anxiety would not flee.
I remember calling my mom one evening and confiding in her as I was living far from home. The next day my mom sent me a text that was filled with different scriptures from the Gospels of Jesus bringing comfort to His people.
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34 NKJV
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 NKJV
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NKJV
I had a whiteboard in my room and, with the verses my mom shared and any verse I could bring that related to my anxiety, I wrote every single one so that, when I woke up, it would be the first thing I would see.
I remember having such confidence in the comfort of the words of my Savior being spoken over me.
When anxiety would come up, it was those verses that brought me confidence and peace I never knew I had. I also was in an environment surrounded by believers where I could go off on my own in a small chapel and pray and seek Him constantly. I did not know it would prepare me for the times we are facing today. A time where we need HIM and His truth now more than ever.
In His love and grace for me, He showed me that It doesn’t have to be in a certain environment to know His peace. All I needed was to SEEK HIM.
Sounds simple, right? Not really.
That verse in Philippians, the Lord reminded me of being exposed in my heart that I was not pursuing Him. I had consumed my priorities with relationships, social media, binge watching movies, indulging in food, and “accepting” my reality. I am not here to say these things are bad. What I am saying is: how much are we allowing these things to consume our every waking moment? How do we have peace when we do not go to the Peace Maker Himself? How do we find hope in people when people will fail us constantly? Or what do we do when we feel like we have failed ourselves?
Take heart, because we have the Savior who tells us to run to Him.
You are not alone in your anxious thoughts. I know this time that we are living in is so hard. It is hard to find joy and hope when there doesn’t seem to be an end. It can be defeating if you feel like you have lost your purpose, but my friend, I am here to tell you to keep going.
When anxious thoughts arise, run to your Father.
What we used to go to will not bring the peace and fulfillment that only He can. Confide in that friend that knows and have them join you in prayer. You are a new creation. Sometimes the process is long and tiring, but you are NEW.
You are new, you are His beloved, you are His Child, and we will have victory in Jesus name.
~ Sarah Sendejas
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