I don’t generally consider myself an anxious person. While I’ve occasionally experienced situational anxiety (hello, public speaking), I’ve never really struggled with it in an ongoing way. But over the past few weeks, I’ve been overwhelmed with worry, stress, and a sense of burden, walking around like Atlas. I’m not a girl who loves change and right now we’re in the midst of many transitions.
A lot is going on in my world. Heck, a lot is going on in the world period. Little Bit has returned to school; she’s carrying a heavy, advanced course load, along with both school XC and club soccer plus the extracurricular clubs she participates in. I love getting back onto a more rigid schedule but man, the transition is tough. I am in awe of her ability to juggle and manage all of her things, but I also grow overwhelmed on her behalf.
Our Big Kid is juggling a lot in his still-new military life, and his school is rigorous. Trying to find the balance of loving and supporting him as a young adult living on his own far away has been so hard on this mama. I feel suspended in this weird space, transitioning to not full-on parenting him, but instead just coaching and encouraging from the sidelines. When things go wrong, it’s all on him, which ironically puts a heaviness on my heart, and all I can do is hope and pray we’ve prepared him well to adult.
To say all of these burdens are hindering my writing is an understatement. Often when I sit at my computer to write and try to still my mind so I can focus, the worries creep in. But the thing that keeps me anchored is Truth. Truth that God is sovereign and no amount of me stressing out or worrying changes anything. God is trustworthy—hasn’t he proved that time and again?
I have to remind myself to discern what is my responsibility versus what is my concern. That my job as a parent is to work myself out of a job. I try to remember in the moments I find myself spiraling, to replace worry with prayer. And mediate on God’s promises in his Word.
Dozens of verses are sprinkled throughout the Bible that can bring relief from anxiety. I try to keep some of these top-of-mind and near and dear to my heart, so when I feel myself drifting, I can stay anchored. I have many of these memorized, and others I have on note cards or sticky notes easily accessible. Here are seven of my go-to’s:
- Philippians 4:6-7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Matthew 6:34: “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
- Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
- Hebrews 13:6: So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
- Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
- Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
- John 16:33: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Have you ever experienced worry or anxiety? How did you combat it? Are there any verses you would add to this list?