The Problem with Anxiety
The Problem with Anxiety
Charlotte Norman
“I can’t imagine” is a common phrase we hear when tragic news finds its way into our world. But the reality is we can imagine and often do! Our minds run through tragic scenarios on the daily, multiple times a day. Horrific life events, a loss of a child, a spouse, a horrible diagnosis, or a myriad of other fleeting thoughts fill our minds. Then it does happen. It happens to someone else. Somewhere else. And the news creates validation to the once fleeting thoughts and settles them snuggly into our mindset.
This morning I woke up and the events of yesterday were at the forefront of my mind. It was my first thought before my sleepy eyes made their way open and I hit the snooze button. What if this was me? What if this was my husband? What about my children? What if I woke up today with this being my reality instead of hers? I imagine mourning. I imagine funerals and decisions. I imagine my future. My mind seems to run with it like just being handed the baton and it’s pulling the last leg of the 400. The thoughts come quickly and uncontrollably. One leading to the other.
So, I take a breath, maybe a few. Close my eyes and remember. I remember to chase after these thoughts like an episode of the Dukes of Hazzard with Rosco P Coltrane in “hot pursuit”. I take them captive, and subject them to the obedience of Christ. I turn off the chatter and I pray. Yes. Pray. I pray I am not overcome with evil but I overcome evil with good. I pray to a sovereign God who brings the reality of his love for me and for her. I pray to the God who has kept this child through all my loss and will keep his children. I pray to God who comforts all those who mourn and trust His comfort is more tangible today than days prior. His faithfulness is not dependent upon my understanding. And the calling is no different today than it was 24 hours ago.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;”
Proverbs 3:5
Charlotte Norman
“I can’t imagine” is a common phrase we hear when tragic news finds its way into our world. But the reality is we can imagine and often do! Our minds run through tragic scenarios on the daily, multiple times a day. Horrific life events, a loss of a child, a spouse, a horrible diagnosis, or a myriad of other fleeting thoughts fill our minds. Then it does happen. It happens to someone else. Somewhere else. And the news creates validation to the once fleeting thoughts and settles them snuggly into our mindset.
This morning I woke up and the events of yesterday were at the forefront of my mind. It was my first thought before my sleepy eyes made their way open and I hit the snooze button. What if this was me? What if this was my husband? What about my children? What if I woke up today with this being my reality instead of hers? I imagine mourning. I imagine funerals and decisions. I imagine my future. My mind seems to run with it like just being handed the baton and it’s pulling the last leg of the 400. The thoughts come quickly and uncontrollably. One leading to the other.
So, I take a breath, maybe a few. Close my eyes and remember. I remember to chase after these thoughts like an episode of the Dukes of Hazzard with Rosco P Coltrane in “hot pursuit”. I take them captive, and subject them to the obedience of Christ. I turn off the chatter and I pray. Yes. Pray. I pray I am not overcome with evil but I overcome evil with good. I pray to a sovereign God who brings the reality of his love for me and for her. I pray to the God who has kept this child through all my loss and will keep his children. I pray to God who comforts all those who mourn and trust His comfort is more tangible today than days prior. His faithfulness is not dependent upon my understanding. And the calling is no different today than it was 24 hours ago.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;”
Proverbs 3:5
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