Anxiety

It’s everywhere, almost a buzz word that triggers so many different thoughts, feelings and actions. I think back to my years in high school or university and recognize that anxiety was present, stress was real and tangible. There were moments I felt an invasion of emotion but it was through others that I was calmed, reassured, protected and able to manage the moment. I knew it would pass, but it was leaning into others that really gave me a healthy foothold. One evening in high school I was working late into the evening on a paper and it just disappeared. All that work gone in an instant. This was a long time ago (floppy discs anyone?!). My sister heard me crying and visibly upset. She listened, talked me through it and brought me down from the thundering cloud of panic and the soothing rain of her words allowed me to keep going and accept that if I couldn’t finish, it would be ok. It may be that it was now a late paper, but it would eventually be a finished one. I don’t recall what happened with the paper, but I do remember my sister coming along side of me through words, that is a better memory!

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” 

(Proverbs 12:25)

Maybe it is through written words that take the anxiety in the heart that weighs heavily and gladness is ushered in. I too have been blessed by this in my life. So much of the inspiration for A Mother-Daughter Devotional and Shared Journal Experience or Psalm 119 comes from notes of encouragement from my family. You have no idea the impact of a written note until your eyes fall on the penned, life-giving words that can linger for years to come. The words of a faithful friend, family member, co-worker, professor/teacher, coach or pastor take upside down moments and make level the path for the day. God works beautifully through others by prompting them and then it’s the act of writing it and sharing.

Going through a few paper trails (um, I have a few – sorry dear husband!) I discovered some very special ‘good words’ handwritten on beautiful stationary that made me glad! While attending GFC all of our family received one of these special notes. On a birthday the pastors would take the time to write a blessing and share a verse of encouragement. They would even share evidence of of God’s grace in our lives and how we had been a blessing to the church family.

This helps to breakdown any bond anxiety has quickly and strengthens the spirit when it is weighed down by the trials life inevitably brings. To receive a personal note to admonish, encourage and build you up overrides anxiety PERIOD!

Those notes bring me back to the early days of raising five young ones and a place of blessing to accomplish my role as a mom. Those days were often tiring and full of waves of discouragement. The lies that build up in the heart of a mom that you are not enough, your kids are not well-behaved enough or the comparison game as you look around at others and believe they have it all together and you do not. The written words of encouragement lifted me up, I was seen, loved and acknowledged.

Sometimes it is the simple ways that are the most effective and worthy or our attention.

Is there a good word lingering in your heart to share with someone? A text, email, hand written note or a word over the phone may be the lifeline to share today. The impact is not temporary, it echoes through the waves of anxiety and replenishes and multiplies as only God can do!

 

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Enjoy this new song (released in April) Featuring Ginny Owens, Amy Grant, Christa Wells, Kelly Minter, Tamar Chipp, Savannah Locke, Racheal Lampa. Written by Christa Wells, Ellie Holcomb and author Trilla Newbell.

 

We Are One –  (Lyric)| FAITHFUL

CCM Magazine – Faithful Project Drops New Single “We Are One”