Tag Archives: anxiety

Scared ~ Day 10 ~ 31Days2019

6 Replies

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV) / Pixabay

Scared

Several years ago I took my class up on a mountain to the highest point in our state for a hands-on, nature-filled, educational adventure.  As it turned out, it was a little more adventurous than I could handle.  As the leaders explained to the kids what the next activity would be, my pulse quickened and my hands began to sweat. A cave. We were headed underground. I. Was. Scared.

For as long as I can remember, even the thought of small, closed-in places cause panic to rear its ugly head, and to actually go in to one? Well let’s just say it isn’t pretty!  But there I was the teacher….so with assurance from the guides that it would open up into a wide cavern, I put on my hard hat and hesitantly ventured in. Squeezing through narrow passageways my heart felt as if it would burst from my chest. As the entrance disappeared from sight, I had a hard time catching my breath. Finally, we reached our destination below the earth and they were right, it was a larger space. What we failed to talk about was that it was also pitch dark! Sitting on the cold damp cave floor, not being able to see my own hand let alone my students faces, the space became very small and fear took over. All I could think of was escape!

A kind caver had to lead this shaking in the knees ole teacher back out, where I then waited for my class’ return. Disappointed in myself? Completely! Wish I’d trusted those who were leading the way more? For sure! Embarrassed to let my** kids down? Most definitely! Thankful to be sitting in the light and wide open landscape? Absolutely! With a wide open view, peace returned and my fear retreated!

Guess what? A dark cave isn’t the only place where fear steals my breath. Sometimes in the dark of night, lying in my own bed I. Am. Scared. Health issues whirl in my mind: my pulse quickens. The well-being of my children and grandsons dominate my thoughts: I begin to sweat. Life’s worries consume me: I can’t see a way out. The walls of anxiety seem to close in around me and all I can do is hope for an escape! I suspect some of you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Recently, I came across these verses in Psalms and they’ve been like a light in the darkness to me. I hope they are for you too:

“When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD; he brought me into a spacious place. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.” Psalm 118:5-6(NIV)

As I’ve pondered on them it’s occurred to me that as much as I try to avoid small, tight spaces, I’ve allowed my worries and fears to trap me in just such a place, hard pressed on all sides! I hadn’t thought about it in that way before. Disappointed in myself? Yep! Wish I’d trust God’s leading more? Beyond any doubt! Embarrassed that I still let anxiety take me down? Without question. Here’s what I’m thankful for though:  We have an “Escape”! All we have to do is cry to him and He brings us not just out into the light, but into a spacious place: A boundless place where we can breathe in His Spirit, a comfortable space where our hearts will beat to the rhythm of His peace, a generous place where our fear will finally retreat. A cave, an airplane, a high ledge, our own beds, it doesn’t matter. Fear can’t trap us because we have an Escape and He’s with us always everywhere we go.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

This post is written as part of the 31 Days of Five Minute Friday Free Writes Challenge. You can read posts from other writers on the same topics over at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com I hope you know that I so appreciate you being here! God bless, Cindy

 

 

 

Distant Memory ~ Five Minute Friday

4 Replies

“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” Matthew 6:27 (NLT)

Distant Memory

Standing in the spot from where this picture was taken, if you squint your eyes and look intently, you may be able to make out the row of windmills that line the ridge of the most distant mountain. And if the atmosphere is just right, though they’re miles away, you can sometimes even see their blades whirling and swirling as they work to capture energy from the wind.

Would it surprise you if I said that there have been times in my life when I’ve been stuck in that very spot? Oh, not physically, but rather, emotionally. You see, as much as I hate to admit it, I’m a worrier! I can be “lying down in green pastures” but instead of appreciating where I am, I’m looking off into the distant future, squinting my mind’s eye, and focusing intently on what may or may not happen down the road. My fears whirl, twirl, and churn a mile a minute and those anxious thoughts capture my energy, leaving me exhausted! Maybe you’re a little like that sometimes, too. So what’s a “windmill of worry” to do?

Plug into the One and Only True Power Source, of course!

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your request to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7(NIV)

“I look up to the mountains- does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!” Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)

How do we plug into God’s power? It’s all about where we’re looking, isn’t it? We need to begin to ask ourselves if we’re focusing on the mountains of potential problems we’ve created or is our focal point the Creator of all, who offers peace in every situation? I’m pretty sure we all know what we should answer and I wish I could say that I’ve reached the point in life where worry no longer demands my attention. I can’t. But, what I can tell you is that I’m not stuck gazing into the distance anymore. Through prayer and study, God is helping me and he’ll help you too, to more quickly recognize when anxious thoughts begin to spin out of control so that we can capture them before being completely blown off course. To “not be anxious about anything” is a process.  A process of trust. A process of prayer. A process of turning to God again and again and again… until that glorious day when finally, worrying will be nothing more than a distant memory!

It’s not Friday and I wrote for longer than five minutes, but I’m still linking up with the talented writers at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com

My hope for this blog has always been connection between you the reader and me; to help each other as we walk this journey. So, I would love to hear how you deal with times of worry in your life. If you feel led, please share your thoughts with me and others in the comments.  And I encourage you to click over and read what others have had to say about this week’s prompt “distant”.