We’re all going to experience some form of worst-case scenario at some point in our lives. For me one of those times was my dad suddenly dying of a heart attack in December after we had just begun reforming our relationship. Anxiety is something that I have struggled with throughout my life, and that event was one that brought it back to the forefront.
I know that anxiety is a physiological response to things that haven’t happened yet. I also know that Jesus experienced that same feeling during his time on Earth, so I know that God understands what anxiety feels like. I have to remind myself that God designed me cell by cell and made me who I’m supposed to be. He knows me better than I do, down to the number of hairs on my head. If I keep seeking after Him and his direction for my life, he will answer.
When I’m feeling anxious, I remember that God is always good even when bad things happen and that bad things happening to me or anyone else are not a reflection of a level of faith. We’re told that even faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. When I feel incapacitated, God will still glean as much as He can from me and he wants to guide me.
To me, the root of anxiety is feeling the need to control, and that continues to be an ongoing struggle for me. When I feel anxiety or any other emotion, whether it’s fear, anger, joy, or something else, I immerse myself in scripture and remind myself that the promises that God made to David centuries ago are the same ones that He has made to me and they have never been broken. -Amy R.