Anguish
Hey hey,
In today’s article, I had it in my heart to talk to you about an experience that I lived recently. In France, we’ve been confined for quite a few weeks now; I will admit, the atmosphere is pretty heavy. I have the chance to be confined in my parents home, so I’m not alone, but not being able to go to classes, church, or just going out to see friends is weighing me down. I also just got into a relationship and it is hard to share real time together when we can’t even see each other at all.
All of this combined led me to ask myself a lot of questions and above all to be afraid enough for the future.
At the start of this confinement, we didn’t know how long we were going to stay in this state. The fact that we didn’t - and still don’t - have an end date made me feel like it would never stop. I spent several days with enormous anxiety linked to all of this. I did not know what to do. I was tired of struggling and started having more and more difficulty in praying. That’s because all of my focus went to chasing these thoughts.
So I asked for help from those around me, including my boyfriend and my little sister, both Christians, to support me in prayer. My anxiety ended up leaving and hasn’t come back since. I tell you this for several reasons:
The importance of fellowship with other christians. It may seem obvious to some, but it hasn’t always been for me. I always found Christians tiring: proposing a prayer when things didn’t work out or a bible passage to encourage me. I needed people to listen to me, not for people to give me a throw away “it’ll get better” formula. I finally understood that the only person who always wanted to listen to me is Jesus. And being able to pray with someone or knowing that someone is praying for me, that they are talking to Jesus about me, it’s one of the most comforting things. Time to talk with Jesus is not limited and you don’t need to censor it or hide things; He knows all. He does not judge you, and above that, He loves you.
The importance of faith: To worry about the future is sometimes also to lack faith. We get along, it's normal to have times of worry, we remain human beings but the fact of spending whole days worrying to the point of being unable to concentrate on something else 'a certain lack of trust in God, and therefore of faith. Philippians 4: 6 tells us, “Do not worry about anything; but in all things make your needs known to God by prayers and supplications, with thanksgiving. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Have no fear, for I am with you; do not look worriedly because I am your God; I strengthen you, I come to your rescue. I support you with my triumphant right ”. God never leaves us. The biblical passage that speaks to me most in my times of anguish is Psalms 121.
Our relationship with God has an impact on our anxieties: If we are not anchored enough in God, we will be more easily affected by anxiety or fear. God soothes our hearts and reassures us. He is the good shepherd, He does not leave us, and wants to have a real relationship with us. God is our father, our best friend and He wishes to be present in every aspect and every moment of our lives. Sometimes we don't feel it, we think that He abandons us but He is always there. And as in a friendship or a relationship, it is important that both parties get involved. So we have to get involved with God. Sometimes it seems heavy or restrictive but in reality we just have to love it and seek its presence at all times, the rest is done quite naturally. Indeed, there are struggles and fights, I myself have struggled for a long time against addictions and I have fallen more than once but God always forgives us, God sees our hearts, sees our efforts, sees our sincerity and our distress. So yes sometimes it will be difficult but nothing is impossible when God is with us.
Well, I really wanted to share this with you. I suggest you go listen to the song "Mon secours est en Toi" from the group Impact which is inspired by Psalm 121. It also exists in English if you prefer "Hope Song" from the group Impact also. And then take time with God on a daily basis, you will see things change in your life, you will find peace that no one can give and you will radiate.
Be blessed
#littlefeet