Anxiety in the Deep

Psalm 94:19

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

I stood in the shallow water, turned and plopped my bottom into the kayak. As I paddled across the lake to the deep, I found my bearings and relaxed. Until a twinge of doubt struck me. A bit of fear crept in, then anxiety tried to shake me up. What if I fell into the water? I tightened my life jacket, pulled the oar through the water, practiced the guiding technique Tim showed me and paddled deeper.

I pushed the anxiety aside. If I didn't, I'd be miserable and unable to enjoy the trip. I closed my eyes and listened to the soft sound of the water lapping against the kayak. The birds chirped, children's laughter wafted through the air. Peace settled over me. We floated for a while on the water, then paddled in against the mild waves.

Anxiety has dogged me for as long as I can remember. Several years ago a doctor diagnosed me with an anxiety disorder. Since then my brain has required meds to help the chemical imbalance that exacerbates the anxiety. Yet, I still feel anxious at times.

In an anxious moment, I pray. God has peace to pour into me. But I need to turn my fears and anxiety over and allow the Holy Spirit to work in me. In a practical sense, I have to force myself to stop and breath. Pray and believe. When I closed my eyes on the lake, my heart slowed, and I relaxed. I knew my fear was imagined. I had nothing to worry about.

So often in life, anxiety rears its ugly head. Fear overwhelms. Satan uses our weaknesses to scare us. But, my God is bigger than any anxious doubt or made up fear. He wants us to give our doubts to him. He loves us and wants to replace our anxiety with joy and peace.

Fear is a Liar!

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:13:
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.

I stood on the platform wearing a harness attached to a long, heavy cord. All I had to do was step off, and fly through the air. Across the lake, my daughter, Hannah, and husband, Tim, waited for me to glide across the zip line and meet them on the other side. I'd cheered Tim on as he took the trip just moments before. But for some reason I couldn't take the leap. It wasn't like I'd never zipped. I'd taken this same line a year or so before. And I loved it. But this time, instead of embracing the excitement, fear gripped me. My anxiety peaked. I couldn't let go. Much to my disappointment, Hannah's friend and co-worker, Rachel, had to help me out of the harness. I climbed down the steps and trudged around the lake to meet my family.

I'd been defeated by fear, one of the most frustrating feelings in the world. Sad thing is, the fear wasn't real. I'd ridden the zip line before and had no problems at all. How many times do we create fear in our minds. When this happens the story gets bigger and bigger. Most of the time the very thing we fear is never realized. Have you heard the song Fear is a Liar? How the liar wants to stop us from moving forward. He wants us to doubt God. He wants us to be paralyzed in our tracks unable to follow God's lead. But guess what! God doesn't want to let that happen. If we turn our fears over to him through prayer, he will walk us through every single fear.

I flew to Hannah's last month and yes, I had some fear. Not so much of the flight itself, but more the whole layover, getting on a different plane idea. My fear came to fruition, I missed my flight from Philly to Greenville, through no fault of my own. I admit, I panicked, cried and wanted to crumple. But guess what. God had my hand. He led me to a lovely young lady who got me on another flight and even gave me a much needed hug.

God knew my fear and he lifted me up. Whatever you're afraid of, turn it over to God. He's just waiting for you to ask.

Stormy Lessons

All Other Ground is Sinking Sand

Psalm 62:5-8
Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
    my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
 Trust in him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to him,
    for God is our refuge.

Does anyone else remember singing or still sing "My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand..." a hymn written by Edward Mote in 1834. And 182 years later this song still comes to mind. As the chaos of the world swirls around me I need the reassurance that God is my fortress. 

Sin is alive and well. Satan is attacking. But rather than hide under a rock, I'm taking refuge on the Rock.

My hope rests in Jesus. I trust him with everything. Yes, everything. If you feel the weight of the world, the chaos of life, fear for our country—seek Jesus. He's the calm in the storm. He's the one who brings comfort and peace in the midst of mayhem. He is the solid Rock.

Praise God for peace in turmoil that comes only through him.

When Did Jesus Leave the Room?

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

When did Jesus leave the room? I'm at a funeral. I'm staring at the television watching the twins towers fall. I'm reading news on Twitter, appalled by things parents do to their children. I'm at the doctor's office and he mentions cancer. I'm at home with my blinds drawn, huddled in depression. I'm at work...and the list goes on. This could be any of us wondering where Jesus is in all of the suffering and pain.

But Jesus didn't leave. He's been with me all along. Maybe I turned my back on him. Or I forgot he was there. Or I blamed him. But he didn't leave. Instead he held me when I cried. He comforted me when I needed it most. He hung in with me, even when I yelled at him. Jesus doesn't leave. I do. I take a step away, a leap over the edge, or withdraw into myself. Yet he whispers in my ear, "Don't be afraid. I'm right here. And I'm not leaving."

I love Jesus and he loves me. There are times I long to be with him in heaven and shove this world behind me. But guess what. He's with me here. He will never leave me or forsake me. Praise God for his constant care.

Children's Book Review: School Time Blessings by Mike Berenstain

Book Description:

It’s time for the new school year to begin and all three Bear cubs are excited and a little nervous too. When challenges and fears almost get the better of the cubs, Mama and Papa step in and remind Brother, Sister, and Honey that with their support, prayer, and God’s love they will each have a great year!

My Review:

Summer is winding down and school is just around the corner. And the Berenstain Bears are ready to help make the transition a little easier. Mike Berenstain has continued his family legacy with this delightful new book, School Time Blessings. This is a perfect book to read with your children before school starts, especially if they go to a public school or preschool. I like the way he incorporates prayer and scripture for reassurance in the story. Kids will love the latest Berenstain tale and will learn from the family's solution of how to calm the fears of a new school year. I received this book in exchange for a fair review.

Afraid but Filled with Joy!

Matthew 28:8
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary had just gone to Jesus' tomb. Instead of finding his body, they ran into an angel whose "appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow." I can imagine they were pretty upset. The angel had already caused an earthquake, rolled a humongous stone out of the way, and petrified the guards. And now their Lord was gone. But even in fear, the ladies were filled with joy. They had good news. Jesus was alive. He defeated death and lived again.

When I watch the news and see the changes, the violence, the horrible things people do, I'm appalled; and downright afraid. I wonder what life will be like for my grandchildren. At times the fear overwhelms me. But in the midst of the sadness and sorrow over the sin in the world, I still have joy. Because like the ladies who ran to the tomb, I know Jesus is alive. My joy was bolstered again this week as I watched my granddaughter Dilly accept Jesus as her Savior. My daughter, Dilly's mom, baptized her. What a joyous time that fills me with hope for the next generation. I pray she always finds joy in Jesus.

That joy, that floods my heart, is what I hang on to when I'm overwhelmed and afraid. Join me as I rejoice and praise God for Jesus!

My Lighthouse

©Penny Frost McGinnis