By Gina Caswell Kelly
(I want to start this off with a disclaimer. I know that for some, anxiety and depression can become all-consuming. I understand that sometimes you need to seek professional help to deal with these issues. I am not by any stretch saying there is anything wrong with that. God calls our doctors and pharmacists to their fields, and they work hard to help each of us feel better.)
Do you struggle with just normal anxiety and worry? Do you sometimes just feel overwhelmed with all that is going on around you? Join the crowd! I think nearly all of us would have raised our hands in answer to those questions. We live in a changing world, and a very expensive world. We live in a world in which wrong is often called right, and right is seen as wrong. It is hard to handle all we have to manage during the day. If you are trying to raise children, the pressure is doubled. It is more than we can do on our own.
Yes, it is more than we can handle alone and we aren’t meant to handle it alone. When you gave your heart to Jesus, and asked Him to forgive your sins and guide you through each day, you were given a great gift. The gift of the Holy Spirit who is with you in all things. I listened to a preacher this morning talking about anxiety and the pressures of the world. His thought was that a close friendship with the Father will help you deal with the worries of the day. His message was one of a walking, talking intimacy with the Father. One where your very first impulse is to turn it all over to Him to handle. But, I think we get so busy in our lives that we don’t often spend time cultivating that close relationship with Him.
Anxiety and worry does relate to your prayer life and your time spent in God’s Word. The closer you stay to God and in His word, the quicker you will turn to Him when issues pop up. Work to develop that close friendship with the Father where He is the One you automatically turn to. Resist the urge to share with as many people as possible. Share with God and give Him all your worries and concerns. Then let it go.
As it says in Psalm 55:22, “Cast all your burdens on the Lord. He will sustain you. He will never let His righteous be shaken.” David ends that Psalm with the simple phrase, “But as for me, I trust in You.”
Trust in the Lord in all things. If you need extra help, seek it out.
Faith and trust in the Creator makes the difference!
