Overcome fear and anxiety when hard times hit

Ring out the false, ring in the true— Alfred Lord Tennyson

I’m thinking about gratitude in the face of all that tends to draw us towards the opposite.  For us, my husband’s job loss since the end of summer has forced us into selling our house this week.

This change got me to reflect on what I truly despise about this upheaval (again). And with that, all the ways that we’ll be okay and can face the future with laughter and anticipation.
Losing our home sucks. Period.

Yet, even in that, we know that it’ll keep us free for whatever the next step is. Ready for action.

Also, I am reflecting on the unique challenges, joys, fears, and celebrations of all of you.  Remembering, and appreciating the stories you’ve shared with me so willingly this past year.

 

Can we train our mind to overcome fear and anxiety?

In times of trouble, God is stlil good. I am appreciative today for my husband and the privilege to go through this together.

For richer or poorer- we’ve been both. Although we are very close to being completely out of money, savings, etc…we still are safe in a beautiful home. Surrounded by loving memories, comfort and protection.

For sickness and health- I know what it is to live with chronic illness, invisible and as hidden as possible sometimes, raging and unwilling to be quiet at others. Yet, we even without insurance have been protected from medical bills, unyielding diagnosis and our children are safe and experiencing no life-threatening health issues as well.

While we are most definitely scared, confused, disheartened, and sad to have to take the steps that come this week, we are ultimately faith-driven.

We believe in the face of hardship that God is STILL good. That good thing WILL come. His word says so.

In fact, right now, and every day since we’ve lost our income, we find many things to be thankful for. It takes practice, but that practice is a powerful defense in retraining our minds to overcome fear.

 

 

Celebrating in the face of adversity

Many, many people face unimaginable horror and loneliness, and despair when they lose their jobs. Their home. Their community.

We have not had that experience.

In spite of it all, we have had all our needs abundantly covered. Friends that are true and loyal and faithful in their prayers. Bills that have still been paid and necessities beyond what could have hoped for. What any of us could hope for.

So this week, our house goes for sale. For the first time in our lives (itself a blessing!) we have no idea at all where to go, what to do. But we are taking one day at a time, and we are incredibly thankful to be taking it together.

Our favorite and best comfort.

We know that this in itself is something to never take for granted. We are scared, and that is okay.

 

What does overcoming fear and anxiety look like?

Faith perhaps is always a balance of walking in defiance against fear, trusting in what we cannot see, but what God has consistently shown us to be true. 

For better for worse?

Maybe that is just a sample of the extreme moments. The real life we are after is found in the in between, the everyday, the mundane, the uncomfortable, the laughter and the ordinary.

“(S)he confidently trusts the Lord to take care of her” Psalm 112:7

Clearly, God’s timing is not our own, and that is hard to sit in, isn’t it? But it teaches us to trust, and when our circumstances are all of our “own” doing, that would not likely ever happen…

So friends, what has the past year held for you? Consider two action steps that help overcome the anxiety of the unknown, but slowing down to see the good!

1. Pause to take time to reflect on its lessons. Acknowledge the hard stuff, for it has value as well.

2. Celebrate the joyous times and join me in choosing to find beauty in the ordinary. For that, my friends, is where the ability to embrace life is to be found.