Anxiety and the Soul's Search for Restနမူနာ

Anxiety and the Soul's Search for Rest

Anxiety is crippling. The mind is relentless. We search for what is wrong with no resolution or relief. All day and all night, personal peace dwells in a distant land. Isolation ensues as our experience rarely mirrors another’s.

It was 5:00 am, I sat up in bed with a blank stare, and the quiet closed in on me. My husband woke a while later and saw my state. It was not uncommon. “Are you ok?” he would gently ask. “Not really,” was my reply.

My husband and I decided in our late twenties to move to a new continent. It was a newly, post-communist country and the opportunity offered to us warranted the challenge of the biggest life-change we would ever experience. A new culture, new friends, new landscape, new way of life - new everything. Our children were two years old and one year old when we boarded the airplane with our minimal belongings. We were nervous and excited for the adventure.

The honeymoon of all the new things was crazy, wonderful, and exhilarating. If only the season lasted. I’m not sure how one person can contribute in a significant way to statistics, but I surely added to the one that says moving is one of the top stressors anyone experiences.

The excitement wore off and exhaustion created a fog of anxiety. Days turned into weeks; weeks turned into months. The weight of figuring it out formed an unwanted umbrella over my thoughts. Morning by morning I found myself back in the pit of anxiety.

Heeding the practical words often repeated, when you don’t know what to do, do the next thing, I pursued three steps:

1. Find friends who could relate.
2. Establish a daily routine.
3. Change the dial of thought patterns through reading and memorizing truths from God’s Word.

As I walked through all three steps, my anxiety subsided bit-by-bit. It was not immediate, but a measure of peace hovered. I turned to the Lord who spoke over my thoughts “Hush. Be still.” He provided a sanctuary of calm amid the long and lingering storm. The Lord became the refuge of rest my soul needed.

"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,

a stronghold in times of trouble.

Those who know your name trust in you,

for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you"

Psalm 9:9-10 NIV.

What does God’s Word say about anxiety? Who can we turn to for help? Where can our souls find rest? Can joy be ours?

This 5-day plan is a starting point for answering these questions and for step three mentioned above. If you find yourself in a season of anxiety, remember the One who created you is also the One who whispers His love and grace over you. God is for you.

He sees you.

He loves you.

He desires to give you comfort and joy.

He will fill you with His peace.

Heavenly Father,

Your Word tells me not to worry, but you know I am anxious about many things. You feed the birds and I am more precious to You than they are. You take care of the flowers as well. My anxious heart will not change the situation, so I call to You. Help me give my worries to You. Lead and guide me, Lord. Fill me with Your peace.

Thank You, Father. Amen.

For this plan, read the Scripture, pray for understanding, and answer the questions. Use the notes app on your phone or a journal or notebook to record your answers. Better yet, invite someone to do this plan with you and answer the questions in the Talk it Over section each day.

What anxious thoughts fill your mind?

After reading the passage, what are your observations?

What do you learn about Jesus through what He says to His followers?

How does this comfort you?