Anxiety

Clothes are laid out, backpacks are bulging with supplies and the fridge is stocked…yet there is quite a bit of anxiety in our house today. School is about to start and my daughter will be entering middle school and the butterflies have begun to flutter.

We’ve all been there and had those nagging questions racing through our minds…will I fit in and be popular…who will I hang out with…will I like my classes and teachers? I can’t imagine having to live my adolescence over again (it was painful enough the first time), and my heart goes out to my kids for all they’ll face during these trying years.

A few days ago I read an awesome post by Billy Coffey titled ‘Surviving Kindergarten’. It was a great lesson and I highly recommend you check it out. After I read it I began reminiscing about those ‘big days’ in the lives of my kids where I felt as if I was sending them ‘up a creek without a paddle’.

What do you do when your kids have to face something you wish they didn’t have to AND you can’t be there to support or help them? When one of our children was only eight years old, we were going through an extremely difficult situation and they were forced to testify in court. Due to the ‘rules’ neither my husband nor myself were allowed in the room during that time. I was devastated and honestly couldn’t stand the thought of ‘abandoning’ my child at a time they needed me the most.

After a massive amount of prayer and faith (and no other options), I sat down and had a talk with my child and explained that no matter what happened they would never be alone. I said instead of being afraid as you sit on that big hard chair next to the judge, imagine yourself snuggled on Jesus’ lap and feel his loving arms wrapped around you tight.

Psalm 61:1-4 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

I don’t know what was going through my child’s mind while sitting there afraid and confused, but to keep my sanity I pictured Jesus with my precious baby on his lap. Next I imagined the fearful look disappearing, quickly replaced by laughter and love.

Evening is rapidly approaching and the countdown is on…the kids are excited as well as anxious and I sympathize with the mixed emotions they are experiencing. My hope for them in this new ‘chapter’ of life is that that they won’t ever feel like they are alone…I want them to know when the pressure is on and they don’t know where to turn that God is with them…that if they take time during the day to pray and ask for help and guidance, God will show them the way.

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

When the anxiety gets unbearable what do you tend to do? My advice is to climb into the lap of our Savior and allow Him to wrap his arms around you and hold you tight!

Tagged as: Anxiety, Billy Coffey, Comfort, First day of school, Jesus, Nerves