photo by karen
Near the top of the list has to be health. It is so hard to do any good for anyone, or even myself, when I am sick. Two years ago we went to Toronto to be with Bethany and her family when Nessa was born. Two days later, I got sick as a dog, the worst I can remember in years. I remained so for three days, and then I flew home. In desperate need, I couldn’t pray or chant or breathe. I lay there in misery. I know the testing of my faith produces endurance, but I didn’t relish it. And yet: …those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. (Isaiah 40:31)
It has lost some of its power, but a long-time provoker of my anxiety was money. Having experienced what poor felt like, I became attracted to money. I was never greedy—I just wanted to have enough. It was negotiating that line of what is enough that made me worry. It can still flare up in my brain on occasions. And yet: Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
My relationships can be a huge source of stress. I know that our bond is love, but I see a lot of loose strands flying around mine. You have to be alert to moods and time and sharing. (O, how He is still trying to teach me to listen!) If I’m at odds with someone I care about, I carry it around like a weight. And yet: Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. (Proverbs 12:25)
Like everybody, my conscience can provoke my anxiety. I have a relational agreement with my conscience: it can’t expect me to be perfect, and I will try to do better. Every other negotiation will be with me and God. One thing I like about my conscience is I can’t fool it. And yet: For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. (1 John 3:20)
My wife mentioned one that I haven’t covered: the health and well-being of family and of children in general. Akin to two of mine, it still deserves its own category. In fact, it probably generates more stress with her than all the others. The anxieties that you can’t do anything about are the heaviest. Prayer is my best prescription, but prayer can seem empty when someone you love is suffering. And yet: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love because He first loved us. (I John 4: 18–19)
The chartbuster on my list is Covid-19, hanging over our lives like a dark cloud. Though well-isolated and fairly safe, there is an unease that broods around and within me. Covid has such force because its entrance into our lives can have huge impacts on the stressor list above. And this is one fear we don’t have experience dealing with. Or a timetable for. It’s a good thing we’re all in this together. It’s going to take a miracle to get out from under it. And yet: Even though I walk through the darkest valley , I will fear no evil for You are with me… (Psalm 23:4)
Bible verses are not bandaids—they don’t cover up the hurt. These hard times are going to make us stronger, and no one was promised an easy ride. Anxieties aside, I am seeing reasons for optimism. Change is always an opportunity for improvement. Have faith. Because: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” (John 14:1)
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