I’m in awe of the powerfully healing work of our loving Lord. He’s compassionately given us many ways to cope with anxiety’s raging symptoms. For they can be particularly strong during (and after) the storms of this fallen world, with its blustering torrents of crisis and changes in our lives.
Take courage, my soul, and let us journey on,
tho’ the night is dark it won’t be very long.
(“The Storm is Passing Over,” Tindley, C. A., 1905)
Where does our courage come from? How can we face potential storms in the future?
Where can we turn when we imagine possible storms to come, hear hyped-up storm predictions, or gasp for breath as we battle currently raging storms?
Having lived for many years with the storms of anxiety and depression that are commonly co-morbid with serious illness and severe pain, I’m in wonder and awe that Jesus can help us “take courage,” held in His interceding hand! For believers are united with the Lord Jesus Christ, with His continually guiding, comforting, compassionate, teaching, loving Spirit within us.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (Rom. 8:26-27 ESV).
Anxiety about possible future storms
In this broken and sin-infested world, our brains and bodies easily surge with anxiety when suffering boils over into potential crisis after crisis. Our sympathetic nervous system gets stuck in overdrive and we feel anxiety with its cascading neurochemical reactions.
The stars have disappeared, and distant lights are dim,
my soul is filled with fears, the seas are breaking in.
Perhaps this is why our tender and compassionate God includes so many Scriptures about fear. He knows our need, having designed us with brains that can imagine future scenarios and create plans.
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 (Jn. 16:33 ESV).
Yes, things might blow into storms, but what is true?!
The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever (Ps. 29:10 ESV).
I hear the Master cry, “Be not afraid, ’tis I,”
and the storm will soon be over, hallelujah!
Releasing storms of anxiety into the healing, powerful, authoritative PATH of our Lord’s care for us
Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters (Is. 43:16 ESV)….
For by [Jesus Christ] all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him (Col. 1:16 ESV).
Releasing anxiety into the continual PRESENCE of our triune God’s care
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13 ESV).
Where can I go to escape your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I fly on the wings of the dawn
and settle down on the western horizon,
even there your hand will lead me;
your right hand will hold on to me (Ps. 139:7, 9-10 CSB).
Thanks be to God, the morning light appears,
and the storm is passing over, hallelujah!
No more storms of anxiety one day! The storm IS passing over, according to Your purpose and plan for us!
Soon we shall reach the distant shining shore,
free from all the storms we’ll rest forevermore.
I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted (Job 42:2 ESV).
The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations (Ps. 33:11 ESV).
Safe within the veil, we’ll furl the riven sail,
and the storms will all be over, hallelujah!
Material adapted from Singing the Gospel to Job: Finding Hope in Suffering, Lauri A. Hogle, © 2022
Playlist gift for releasing anxiety and other resources of Singing Christ’s Hope
As we wait for Jesus to consummate His kingdom, on the last day when He permanently removes scary and raging storms caused by sin in this fallen world, let’s both remember who He is and what He says, compassionately bringing His calming to us.
His power, His path, His presence, His prayers, His purposes, His plans for us.
Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid (Mt. 14:27 ESV).
One way He’s helped me with releasing anxiety and “taking heart” is to sing what is Biblically true about God…when I realize I’m anxious about things that might happen…or experience anxiety during crisis moments. Singing itself also calms our bodies and brains! With all the storms around me right now, I’m so thankful for this healing gift from God!
So, this week’s playlist sings about our Lord, to our Lord. It’s crafted to help our autonomic nervous system calm when we become aware of anxious thoughts, to help us release anxiety to Him.
This week’s playlist gift is for all of us, for many Christian women quietly suffer from anxiety these days. May our Lord Jesus Christ heal and help us to continually release our anxiety to Him, within the storms of this earthly life.
Sign up below if you’d like to receive this in your email. Or click on other resources shown below, if they might help. The new chronic illness and pain podcast is also crafted to help calm our autonomic nervous system, helping us to release anxiety! With love, praying it’s helpful!
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