Anxiety

If we are all honest we get overwhelmed with the roles we each play. Wife, mother, cook, housekeeper, cheerleader, event planner, social net worker, counselor, caregiver, financial planner, interior designer, human resource manager, CEO, doctor, nurse, etc!! It is a blessing to be a woman and at the same time our place in the world can feel insignificant and unimportant. We have thankless job which does not nearly get the recognition or payment we "deserve". Lots of work and little time to rest. Many of us are "doers". We are on the go trying to let our good works give us value and meaning in this life. I am hear to encourage YOU and myself today to STOP, SIT DOWN and LET SILENCE FILL your room while you listen. Listen to the silence, relax in the moment, let the tension shed from your body and let the Spirit of the Lord whisper in your ear. Yes, whisper. God often waits on us to settle down before He can encourage us in our hearts.

1 Kings 19:11-12 "The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper."

God chose to come as a gentle whisper to speak to Elijah! It wasn't in some grand natural disaster but instead in a gentle whisper.

About six months ago I went to the doctor and told her I was getting anxious and irritable more often than not. She encouraged me that anyone in my phase of life would feel the same and that there was some medication that could help as I work through this. I have been dancing around those meds since the day I was in her office. I did a lot of self talk about how I didn't need that medication because I knew God was sufficient to meet all my needs (I just wasn't trusting Him with the solution!). What I did not realize was I was depending on my flesh and not letting God work in me as I let go of my pride and took this medication.

This week I started taking an anti anxiety medication. It has only been a few days but my life is changing. I feel like my mind is quieting down and I am able to enjoy the moment I am in. I am not so overwhelmed by the three little boys surrounding me or the responsibilities I have. I feel a new sense of freedom from the control that fear and anxiety have had on my life. I equate it to a cancer drug... if I had cancer I would do everything I could to fight the cancer out of my body. In the same way this medication is fighting off the anxiety that is trying to take over my life.

If you are struggling today talk with someone. Don't hold in your thoughts and struggles. Find a safe person to share the inner struggles you have so that you can become an overcomer. God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind.

Phillipiams 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Above all turn to God in prayer and cling to His strength as you walk this life. What ever your struggle is today He is sufficient to meet all your needs and often He will use those around you to help carry your load.

Feeling free!
Annie