Anxiety and The Weather

Day 3 

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It felt like summer and fall were fighting with each other today. Did you notice?  I consider it such a blessing to live in a climate where God can show off His four seasons in NWA…Hot, Scorching,Cool and Frozen. Seriously, though it was a GLORIOUS weather day. Coolish, but not humid this morning, then around lunch I had to find a jacket, and now the kids are living it up in the sunshine and the crisp fall wind while the swingset Tyler recently put together is being pushed to its limits. (Ethan is peacefully sleeping in case you were wondering.)

It reminded me of a conversation that happened last night after bible study. We were talking about how rampant anxiety is among women of all ages today. I mentioned something that helped me was limiting the news we watch. Now before you get all huffy on me and start talking about the responsibilities of citizens, I didn’t say I’m uninformed. Tyler and I have limited the amount of television we watch as a whole, this includes televised news. Everything the news shows us has to be the most dramatic, crazy things they can find in the whole world that happened today or MIGHT happen. Even the weather is mostly what the day was like (okay, the day is over but thanks for the reminder of what we experienced) and then they say what MIGHT happen tomorrow. 

Yes, they are pretty accurate but they couldn’t predict the AMAZING sunrise we would witness this morning with the rays coming down in shades of pink that had the water on the trees glistening the way it was this morning, which led us to talking about the beauty in God’s creation. Which then led us to listen to the song “Beautiful Things” that even had Thomas belting it out.

 No one could have predicted the gush of cool wind the kids felt as they raced to the swings would make them giggle and talk about visiting pumpkin patches.  

 

I can barely stand it. Look at those little feet.

It is important to be informed, but not to be paranoid. We are not called to be anxious about everything, and worry about the future never giving it to God. Instead…

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ⁵ Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; ⁶ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)

Warning: I am not saying that all anxiety is curable by only prayer. God gave us doctors for a reason. Have you heard of Luke in the gospels? He was a doctor! Do not suffer in silence. There is help for the debilitating anxiety that makes life too hard to handle. What I’m talking about in this post is the anxiety that we let into our homes and lives without realizing it. Take a look at your schedule and routines. What brings you peace? What makes you feel nervous? What can be done about it? If you find yourself feeling uneasy, unrested, or anxious can it be as simple as turning “it” off? I also learned that whenever a habit or something “comfortable” needs to be omitted, be sure to replace it with something life-affirming. Reward your soul by turning off the anxiety and turning on music or reading a book or calling a friend. 
Right now for me rewarding my soul means pressing “publish” and pushing my kids on the swings. Love you all so much.
⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”(Philippians 4:8)