When Anxiety Strikes...

These past few days have been so stressful and I found myself getting all anxious and depressed. My nanny left and I have been unable to replace her. Tackling housework and work at the same time has been overwhelming to say the least. The night brought unwelcome sleeplessness and in the morning I felt like staying in bed all day! I was too tired to do my quite time, too tired to read, too tired to just have the me time that I so love. I felt like I was going crazy. It was confounding. 

Before this week, my life had been going smoothly say normal, save for the usual screams from baby girl. I have always known that the devil is prowling ready to attack so I don’t know why I was surprised when he finally attacked! 1 peter 4:12. It is important to note anxiety is normal how to deal with it is the issue! Psalms 56: 3 says, 'When I am afraid, I put my trust in thee'. Notice it does not say, that all will be smooth and you will never be afraid! The word of God does not assume that because you are saved you have no panic attacks!

When he attacks he does more that one at a time. It can be small things that could throw you off balance from unrealistic bills, to missing out on deadlines, to crashing laptops, to things not being the way they ought to be. 

 Last night like the Psalmist I sort to find out why my soul has been cast down. I read Psalms 42 out loud. Why is my soul cast down? Psalms 42: 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation.(emphasis is mine). Notice it is repeated again in verse 11. 

I noticed that I was so restless so I prepared a cup of hibiscus tea and took my note book. I started to note down all the things that were troubling my heart and made two columns, one for the things I have control over and the other that I have no control over. I made a to do list so that I may be able to sort out the things that I have control over one day at a time. 

For the things that I have no control over I sort the word of God, because I felt that other than the normal stuff I didn’t  even know what is troubling me! What I want and what I desire. I love Psalms 139, the way it starts with 'O Lord, you have searched me and known me'!...

Only the Lord can show you deep and hidden stuff. Stuff that you DO NOT know. When you call to him he will reveal to you hidden things. He knows you, even that idle thought at the very back of your mind he knows! He knows your plans even before you utter them to anyone. 

Are you in a mess? anxious about everything and anything? The word of God encourages us to cast our anxieties and worries and to take one day at a time! Even in your anxious state worship the Lord. Doing this will help defeat the anxiety because the more you dwell in God, the less room you leave to dwell anxiety.

Stop for a moment and think how many different sinful actions and attitudes come from anxiety. Anxiety about finances can give rise to coveting and greed and hoarding and stealing. Anxiety about succeeding at some task can make you irritable and abrupt and surly. Anxiety about relationships can make you withdrawn and indifferent and uncaring about other people. Anxiety about how someone will respond to you can make you cover over the truth and lie about things. So if anxiety could be conquered, a lot of sins would be overcome.

Pray for His peace and supernatural wisdom. That peace needs to be restored, that is why when Jesus came back he showed the disciplines his nail pierced hands and the first words out of his mouth were 'peace be with you'. John 20: 19-21. Jesus wants you to be at peace! 

The song 'one day at a time' really inspires me and makes my day and can be a good start to your day too. I listen to it every time I get to the office and when anxiety and worry wants to take over.

One day at a time, sweet Jesus
That's all I'm asking from you
Give me the strength to do everything that I have to do
Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be mine
Help me today
Show me the way
One day at a time.