Have you ever felt anxious? A weight on your heart that feels heavy and cumbersome?
I am not a worrier per se, but every now and again, I am overwhelmed with such feelings. Let’s face it, there always seems to be something to worry about: broken relationships, unmet expectations, shaky finances, our children, our jobs, our health. And then add in natural disasters - like what we have just experienced with the wildfires in Quebec and Nova Scotia, wars —and more, so much more. And how many, of the things that we worry about, are largely out of our control?
The reality is we can’t always control what happens to us but we can choose how we respond. We can worry and be anxious which, I find, quickly turns to negativity or, we can choose something different. We can choose to see the good in people. We can choose to look for God’s fingerprints, and find things to be grateful for.
I realize that I might sound glib, like some poster saying: “Hang in there”, “Keep on the sunny side”, “Keep Calm and Carry on”, “It’s always darkest before the dawn”, “Be positive”… and I apologize if that is how I am coming across. But have you ever seen a hummingbird?
I have one flying about just outside my window. There is a hanging planter basket full of nectar filled flowers that this hummingbird is feasting on. She is attracted to sweet things. On the other hand, as I was driving up the road the other day, I saw two large black birds picking away at road kill. I think it is true that we will always find what we are looking for.
Darkness and light both exist in the world, as does good and evil. What will we look for?
What will we spend our time focusing on?
Darkness, and scary things are always happening. We don’t put our head in the sand and pretend its not happening but, do we choose to have it weigh us down to the point that we are consumed by anxiety and fear?
There may be things we can do, if so, do them. But if the situation is out of our control —maybe, just maybe we should turn to the Light of the world. We can turn to the One who is already carrying the weight of the world — which means we don’t have to.
The hope we have in Jesus isn’t a collection of inspirational quotes on a poster. It’s not positive vibes or wishful thinking. Our hope in Jesus is based on truth - on facts and faith.
So what can we do?
Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”
We can be a kind word for someone. Please don’t ever belittle what your words of encouragement can do for someone. It can change the trajectory of their day, and even their life.
What can we do for ourselves?
Let’s be kind to ourselves and let’s give ourselves a kind word and truth filled encouragement. Let’s fight our anxiousness with hope. Let’s refuse to settle for living afraid. And the next time we feel anxious or fear is weighing us down let’s ask God for help and encouragement. God is closer that we think and only a prayer away.
