Dear Anxiety,
You lied to me. You told me that my fears kept me safe. Being afraid was what brought me success in my situation. You led me to believe that illogical worries kept me from harm.
You are a liar.
Fear does not equal safety.
Anxiety does not lead to success.
Worry does not keep me from harm.
365. There are 365 verses in the Bible that address fear. One for each day. I’m fairly certain God knew we’d need His words this way. Yet, we continue to allow fear and anxiety to reign.
My anxiety amps up come springtime in Texas. I love a good thunderstorm. Add a tornado warning, however, and I lose my mind. This spring, however, I was calm as a cucumber. I even drove around town while tornadoes swirled to the north and south. This had nothing to do with me. It had everything to do with finally trusting Him.
I’ve learned through the years of living here, that storms aren’t to be feared. They are to be respected. For so long, my mind believed that my anxiety saved me from tornado annihilation.
Become anxious the moment the warning comes out.
Live in that fear until the storm blows through.
Breath a sigh of relief when we are all still standing after.
Repeat.
It’s funny what our minds will believe. It’s crazy how easily our thoughts become our truths. We know that our anxieties are false narratives, but we still believe them.
Not anymore.
There is nothing in God’s Word that tells me if I’m anxious, life will turn out okay. It’s quite the opposite, actually. The Bible tells me to be anxious about nothing; to pray instead.
I will take my 365 verses about fear and slay my anxiety with them. I will no longer believe the story that anxiety equals success. It is not my fears that bring me to serenity. It is my peace in knowing my Savior; in knowing that no matter the answer to the “what if” scenario, I will always be okay.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Love & Blessings,
Meg