Be Anxious About...Everything?

So, in keeping with my previous post, I wanted to do a follow-up today about anxiety. I wouldn't be writing this today without this post about anxiety. I want to once again recommend this blog. It's awesome. The author is awesome. Some of her posts are about children and family stuff, which doesn't apply to my life right now, but they're still good reads, and every once in a while some posts, like this one ↑ really speak to me, my situation, or what I'm thinking about.

Fear and anxiety are very similar, but not the same. Not exactly. For me, fear is gripping, terrifying, and usually only for a short period, sometimes creating a "fight or flight" response. Anxiety is not as intense, creates nervous energy, but it lasts much longer. Both can cause a lack of sleep, and heart palpitations. In my opinion.

The Bible says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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" (Philippians 4:6-7).

Now, in some situations, like the one she talks about in her post, anxiety is normal. Being anxiously excited about trying something new, or starting a new job are good reasons to be a little anxious. It's normal. But if the anxiety is keeping you from sleep, it's time to pray about it and place it in God's hands.

After I got all my wisdom teeth taken out, I was having trouble sleeping. There had been a complication during the extraction, and my heart (I have a congenital heart defect) had sped up due to the epinephrine and I couldn't slow it down so they had to put me on oxygen and the laughing gas before they could continue. So, I was having a little anxiety before going to sleep. It was like I was afraid I'd be asleep and not know if something happened to my heart. But that's silly. First of all, I have no control over that, and secondly, it was the epinephrine that caused the problem. My heart doesn't randomly speed up for no reason.

So, one of my dear friends sent me this quote:

When we become anxious about something, the best thing we can do is to lay it at God's feet and leave it there. We pray about it, hand the situation over to Him, and trust that He can and will handle it. And then, leave it with Him. Don't pick it up and look at it; don't worry about it anymore.

Jesus said Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34).

Focus on today. Focus on what you need to do. Whatever you're going through, don't worry so much about it. Do one thing today to help you get closer to getting through it, even if the only thing you can do today is pray about it - especially if the only thing you feel you can do today is pray about it.

God bless you. Have a great Memorial Day weekend. Stay safe, and remember to pray for America's military and their families this weekend.