By Sharon Campbell Rayment – Special to the Sydenham Current
I recently read that one in four people suffer from anxiety.
There are many stats about numbers of individuals living with mental health challenges.
Many are finding life harder and harder to manage with expenses rising, worry about work, health, and family. It has all increased our level of anxiety in the last two years.
Actually, I would wager that there is no one who hasn’t felt a bit anxious in the last few years.
Yet there are some who worry has increased so dramatically that they are unable to manage.
It can be debilitating.
The statement “fear not”, “do not fear”, “do not worry” is mentioned about 365 times in the bible.
That would mean that every day you could find a statement in scripture that tells you “do not worry.”
Now I didn’t go and find all of those!
Yet I know I can find many.
This shows us that even at the time the scriptures were being written, people worried.
They worried so much that God repeated again and again, “So do not fear.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Worry can keep you up all night. It can cause health problems and can ruin relationships.
Yet I agree with Jesus, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)
Worry they say is like rocking in a rocking chair. There is a lot of activity but very little change or difference after all that rocking. You are still exactly where you started.
Worry is like that.
We ring our hands, fret and fuss, and yet often we can’t change anything.
Alcoholics Anonymous shares a timeless saying, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. The courage to change the things I can change. And the wisdom to know the difference.”
We take action when we can, yet know that there are times we have to just be.
Be present to what is.
We no longer struggle against the world or become lost in it.
We rest in what is.
There are times we are in a “holding pattern”. There is really nothing we can do to change our circumstances but wait.
When this happens we can fortify the way with patience, perseverance, and prayer.
Our ability to stay grounded, present, and hopeful is found within this.
I repeated this to myself many time during my recovery from the acquired brain injury.
I would become so frustrated trying to make decisions, stay emotionally grounded, even to leave the house.
But I began to follow a daily practice to find the good, the powerful, the hopeful, and develop patience, perseverance and prayer.
Proverbs 4:23 states, “Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.”
Paul expands this in Philippians 4:8, “Finally beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable. If there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Our mind is our greatest ally, or our greatest enemy. What we say to ourselves really does matter.
I believe that is why there are so many uplifting statements throughout scripture that we can read, memorize, and return to over and over again to relieve our stress.
“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” (Proverbs 12:25).
Next week is Mental Health Week.
There will be many positive, uplifting ideas shared online.
I will share on Facebook more during the next week to encourage you to “Be anxious for nothing. But in prayer, supplication and with great thanksgiving let your request known to God. And the peace that surpasses all understanding will be yours.” (Philippians 4:4-8)
Until next time, remember these wonderful words from Jesus, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
Many blessings my friend.
