New Every Morning

Last week was anxiety-ridden for me, and most of that anxiety stemmed from the way I reacted to what was happening around me. Here’s the truth: I can’t control others’ actions; I can’t control what they do, or what they say, and even if I confront these actions, it doesn’t serve to help me or change the situation.

Some weeks are tougher than others. It’s not fair that this happens, and I wish it didn’t, but the highs and lows of some weeks are more drastic than those of others, and that imbalance always throws me off my game.

Because of that, I lost sleep. My mind raced through the night, I couldn’t shut it off, and I found myself on the losing end of the sleep race. But, when the morning came, I was (as I always am) mystified at how bothered I am at night about a particular and how unbothered I am about it in the morning. It always seems different in the morning: better, brighter, and happier.

To fall asleep, sometimes I have to (quite literally to myself in bed) quote the words Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, NIV). And let go!

I’ll face anxiety about many things over the years, I’m sure. I know this because I have already, but it doesn’t mean I can’t continually give my anxiety and fear to God every time it happens. I’m still trying to get to the point of letting go and letting God when anxiety arises (and gaining the much-needed sleep I don’t have to miss out on), but it’s an ongoing battle.

Is anxiety a constant battle for you, too? What I’ve realized is it’s about letting go of having control - or thinking I have control - and realizing God sees everything, everyone, and cares about my anxiety 24/7, which truly means I have nothing to worry about, ever. When I remind myself He’s in control of every minute detail, my burden lifts.

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5, NIV).

Finch Food for Thought: I could just bypass all the anxiety and sleeplessness if I remember that God is in every event around me.