This week I conducted a funeral; I spoke with over 25 people from the Amberlea community; returned over 100 texts and received that many and more emails. I presented a document to the Presbytery of Pickering, wrote a sermon… and though you are receiving this on Thursday, I am writing this on Wednesday morning. It is only Wednesday! This is also inauguration day for the President of the United States and there has been a weird anxiety around all that, hasn’t there?

Why am I telling you all this?

Anxiety can creep in at any time.

STOP…and PRAY.

We live in a world that bombards us daily with events, obligations and situations that cause worry and anxiety and if left unaddressed, that anxiety can slowly turn into panic, fear and even depression.

Many of us do a good job of hiding and masking our anxiety. I can’t tell you the number of times people have said, “ Mona, I had know idea you were feeling that way.”

We, or maybe I should just speak for myself, have learned to put on a happy face and show the world “I got this”. But do I? Do we?

Here is what I am doing. When I feel anxiety rearing its all- consuming, ugly head… I am going to:

STOP…and Pray.

I am not saying that we shouldn’t seek counsel, get medical help, change our diet, get exercise …yes, yes, yes, do that. BUT also please do this….

PRAY!

The evil one will use anxiety to stop you from living the full and abundant life that God has for you.

I can’t prescribe medication, nor do you want me to but I can prescribe a Spiritual prescription: Pray.

The best thing you can do when you feel anxiety rising is to take it to God in prayer. It is through prayer that we surrender our worries to God and receive God’s peace.

You can trust God with today and tomorrow.

So for the family whose loved one passed away, please know I have and will be praying for you. For peace, for comfort, for strength.

To the 28 people that I spoke with in the past 48 hours, please know that I am praying for each of you. Your names, your situation, your heartaches and joys alike, are resting at the feet of Jesus.

For the emails that need to be returned, the sermon that needs to be recorded, edited and posted, for the President who is being inaugurated as I write this…. I am praying first before I will do anything else. Why? Because we are told clearly:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.

Feeling anxious?

Stop and Pray.

Read the promises of God:

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. (Psalm 55:22).
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.“(1 Peter 5:6, 7).
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17).
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13).

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You that You never leave us, never forsake us. Thank You that You are near.

Help us to fix our eyes on You. Empower us to rise above our circumstances. Help us to cast our anxiety on You because You care for us.

Give us Your power to overcome. As we reach out to you thank you for lifting us up, in due time. Thank You for giving us the victory! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.