Anxiety and Stress

This morning I had a weird dream: We were staying at someone’s house. We needed to come home; we couldn’t… There was a car to drive; I didn’t know how to… We had extra stuff to bring; it wouldn’t all fit in… We had to return the car to its owner; we didn’t know where they lived… We had to take someone with us; they didn’t want to come. There were no trains at the train station. I woke up really stressed and anxious.

Last night we watched a documentary: ‘The Jesus Army’. Starting as a radical Christian group in the 1960s; closing in 2019 as a dangerous cult. Ex-members described the abuse they suffered, the trauma, stress, depression they’d been through and were still living with…

…I reflected on friends who’ve suffered spiritual abuse…  several recent conversations with friends struggling and suffering with anxiety and depression. For some it’s an heavy burden that they carry, for others it’s an illness that’s being treated.

This morning…

…Reading the old hymn that includes:

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt;
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come.

I come to God with my anxiety, depression, stress… I don’t have to sort it out first.

…Watching birds on our bird feeders …no mental health issues …remembering Jesus’ words: ‘Look at the birds of the air… your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his life?’

…Reading the ancient prophet Habakkuk. After listing his problems and complaints to God, he concludes: ‘Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines…’ He catalogues further stress-inducing issues ‘…yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. The Sovereign Lord is my strength… Whatever life throws at me I can choose to be joyful, relying on my strength-giving God.