From Anxiety to Abiding: 7 Days to PeaceSample

The Father has heard my cry for mercy (protection from destruction); the Father accepts my prayer. Psalm 6:9

Yesterday in our journey through anxiety, we learned that anxiety is the fear of being unloved, and how that serves to keep us alive. Think of an infant whose cries mean ‘feed me’, or ‘hold me close, I am cold’; their instinctual anxiety keeps them alive. In Adam and Eve’s experience, their anxiety–or fear of being unloved–came from the idea that maybe God was withholding His love from them. (Gen 3:5)

Speaking of the Fall, when God looks for Adam and Eve, the word He uses is ayekah. This word is more than just, “Where are you”. He was asking, “Where are you in relation to Me? Where have you gone that’s taken you further away from Me?” (Ann Voskamp, The Waymaker).

Another word we see in this interaction is the word, “lovingkindness”, which is a word literally invented in an attempt to translate the all-encompassing Hebrew word hesed, a word used nearly 250 times in Scripture, in such a powerful manner that some theologians have suggested it may be the most important word in Scripture. Hesed is the forever covenantal, always unconditionally, unwaveringly loyal, kind love of inseparable bonding…of eternal attachment…Hesed is attachment love.” (Voskamp).

If you’ve read anything about parenting or mental health recently, you’ve likely heard about secure attachment. Secure attachment tells the child they can rely on their caregiver, they can feel confident in the caregiver’s protection, and that they will be comforted by their caregiver. The securely attached child knows their caregiver delights in them and that they love them unconditionally. Imagine God as your caregiver, because His love is just like this.

He is attached to you (His hesed love), and you can be confident in His protection of you, His comfort, and knowing His love does not change or leave you, even when you are in the wilderness of anxiety.

Today, we simply answer His question, “Where have you gone that is so far from Me?” We tell Him of our anxiety, expressing our deepest fears and worries, our pains and our hurts. We do this much like the book of Psalms, which follows the book of Job, who himself must have faced an incredible amount of anxiety:

“Behold, I go forward, but He is not there; I go backward, but I cannot perceive Him; to the left He turns, but I cannot behold Him; He turns to the right, but I cannot see Him.” (Job 23:8-9).

Our anxiety–our fear of not being loved and protected–causes us to be confused, bewildered, even drowning in thoughts. But His love is unwaveringly loyal, completely and totally attached to us:

“God gives them security; and they are supported; And His eyes are on their ways.” (24:23)

God sees us, regardless of the thoughts we believe in our anxiety. He is our security and our support. And, just like a child, we can cry out in our anguish in response to Him, and invite Him to draw closer, that He would prove His attachment love for us.

Let’s practice this by using Psalm 6 as our guide:

Father, do not rebuke me in your anger, or discipline me in your wrath.

Have mercy on me, Father, for I am faint (with anxiety); My soul is in deep anguish.

How long, Father, how long?

Turn, Father, and deliver me (from anxiety); save me because of your unfailing love (hesed).

Among the dead no one proclaims your name. Who praises from the grave?

I am worn out from my groaning (worry). All night long I flood my bed with weeping, and drench my couch with tears.

My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of my foes (the fear coming against me).

Away from me [anxiety], for the Father has heard my weeping.

The Father has heard my cry for mercy (protection from destruction); the Father accepts my prayer.

All my enemies (anxiety, fear, worry) will be overwhelmed (overcome, removed) with shame and anguish; they will turn back and be put to shame (removed far from me).

Parenting Tip: Coach your children to put words to their anxiety: How does their body feel? What thoughts are they thinking? For younger children, invite them to sit with you while feeling anxious. They may not have words, but they will have sounds, breathing, and motions that you can experience with them. Let them know they do not have to hide these emotions or sensations, but that they can be expressed in the comfort of your love.