Finding Peace in the Middle of Anxietyنموونە

Jesus Sings Over Us

One of the most stressful places to be is in a hospital. Not only is it scary and uncomfortable for the patients, but also for those of us who love them. We wait and worry there. We imagine the worst. We feel helpless, alone, and lost. Sometimes we feel hungry, tired, cold, or worried that our phone battery will run out and we will lose connection with our regular life.

We wonder if we already have.

Hospitals are serious, sometimes life-altering places to have to be. I’ve spent more time than I’d like to think about waiting in hospital rooms and emergency departments. I’ve sat with my parents, my sister, my husband, and my sons at several different hospitals over the years, and even though it was mostly hard and awful, one of them has a special place in my heart.

Tacoma General is my favorite hospital because of a song.

Occasionally, a short and sweet melody chimes through the speakers in that stark, old ceiling. “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” gently interrupts every anxious mind and heart and signals the miracle of a baby’s birth. We silently celebrate the new little life that has come into our world. Nurses, doctors, staff, patients, and visitors—we all recognize the simple tune. And together we draw a much-needed breath of joy and calm.

If a few notes of a children’s song can bring a moment of peace to a busy hospital, how much more will a God song calm our stressed-out hearts?

This promise is about more than a comforting tune during a stressful time. God tells us so much about how he loves us here:

He tells us he is among us—right beside us as we struggle with anxiety and fear.

He tells us that he is a warrior—strong and valiant and actively fighting on our behalf.

He tells us that his love is quiet and calming when we need it to be. Like in the hospital. Or in the middle of a really tough day. Or when we are overthinking everything. Or when the little ones all need our attention at the same time.

And he tells us that he rejoices over us. That he delights in being with us. So much that it makes his heart sing.

Can we picture that?

Jesus coming close and covering us with his tender, strong love.
Jesus singing gently over us and valiantly fighting for us at the same time.

Jesus helping us to take a deep breath of peace in the most stressful times.

Let’s listen for his comforting song.