Waves of Anxiety

Psalm 94:16-23 Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers? Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Can a corrupt throne be allied with you—a throne that brings on misery by its decrees? The wicked band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge. He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the LORD our God will destroy them. Sometimes we can feel it coming on.  Like a person who loses their footing on a steep climb, we can feel our emotions slipping. The waves of anxiety build until they crash into our hearts and drench our souls. Here it comes, the fear of uncertainty.

• Our teenager is late coming home on a stormy night.
• Our boss wants to see us first thing in the morning.
• The doctor wants to run some more tests.
• Our mind swirls in the waiting room for news from the surgery.
• The doctor says, “I’m sorry. There is nothing more we can do.”
• The savings are gone.

Life is filled with things that cause uncertainty. The stuff of life is beyond our control. And it’s the lack of control that causes our emotions to implode. So, what do we do standing in the midst of life when we feel the fear coming on? The psalmist instructs us to turn hard toward God. It is our loving Father who comes to our aid. As we take on the crashing waves of uncertainty He keeps us standing. When our feet begin to slip, He grabs us and holds on tight. His peace surpasses human understanding. His comfort brings joy even in the midst of stormy trials. When we know God as our Father, certain help is always present with us. Father, some are reading this with a heart saturated by anxiety. Allow them right now to feel the calming comfort of Your Spirit. Give them a certainty of Your presence that always comes with a deep peace. Let them know that since You are for us; nothing can stand against us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.