As if anxiety wasn't hard enough,
It seems to go hand in hand with shame.
The false belief that your feelings are somehow inferior,
Or your own fault,
Or the result of your flaws.
You feel judged,
Unworthy,
Isolated,
And alone.
The truth is,
You are human with a spectrum of feelings that are valid in a body that has stored a lifetime of experiences,
Good and bad.
Did you know there's goodness in stress?
Maybe nobody's told you that moderate amounts of fear and risk-taking helps you learn how to manage your body and your mind.
When you face and overcome challenges,
You build confidence.
On the other side,
Trying to be in control at all times causes unhappiness.
We are here to acknowledge and embrace our anxiety with this examen.
Each time you come before God's throne and bring your panic,
Overwhelm,
Fear,
Rigidness,
It's an opportunity to experience God's grace and love.
This is your faith in action,
An active faith,
And today it's expanding and growing even in the midst of your anxiety.
Breathe fully now.
Recognize God is here.
Recognize you are safe.
Breathe in love.
Breathe out gratitude.
Bring to mind your worries.
Ask God to show you the cause of your worry.
Where do you see God in this situation?
What does God say about this situation?
How is He there for you in this experience of worry?
What is the cost of holding on to this anxiety?
Can this worry be eliminated?
As I read from Colossians chapter 3 verses 1 through 4 in the message translation,
Ask yourself which of these descriptions is you?
So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ,
Act like it.
Look up and be alert to what is going on around Christ.
See things from His perspective.
And when you're in the moment,
You're in the moment with Christ and God.
He is your life.
When Christ shows up again on this earth,
You'll show up to the real you,
The glorious you.
Are you on the ground,
Absorbed with this worry?
Or are you looking heavenly at things not of this earth?
Ask God now to eliminate your worries.
If there are worries that cannot be eliminated,
Ask God to give you the grace to adapt.
What will that look like?
Imagine it now.
Worry is responsible for more disease than all the germs that exist on the face of the earth.
James chapter 1 verses 5 through 8 in the message translation say,
If you don't know what you're doing,
Pray to the Father.
He loves to help.
You'll get His help and won't be condescended when you ask for it.
Ask boldly,
Believingly,
Without a second thought.
People who worry their prayers are like wind whipped waves.
Don't think you're going to get anything from the master that way adrift at sea,
Keeping all your options open.
Looking ahead,
Where might you most need God's help with your worries?
Offer Him thanks now for His wisdom and clarity and His goodness.
