If you’re struggling with anxiety about the new year starting, you are not alone. The month of December and January are the hardest months for our hearts because the things we’ve pushed to the side during the year — with busyness and distraction — rise to the surface when we slow down and reflect: Hope. Desire. Our dreams and our longings.
We are confronted with the truth of what we really need. What we truly long for and what we really want.
And along with those deep, beautiful whispers of the soul come also the fears, difficulties, or disappointments we’ve sustained during the year — or before then. The people, problems, and things that have hurt us or confuse us also surface.
And that is why we experience anxiety. Anxiety happens when we can’t move in the direction of how we feel inspired or prompted by God to live. Anxiety happens when we want to do something or say something — if we have needs — but we aren’t able to speak, take action, or express ourselves honestly with the truth of how we feel.
There is a disconnect between what is happening inside us and what we are or not able to do or say. Fears or uncertainty overwhelm us.
But, anxiety isn’t the end of your story or mine.
God’s Whispers For You
Anxiety is a doorway through which your loving Savior can enter into the most vulnerable places of your heart, to wrap His arms around you and tenderly say… to be continued…
To read the rest of “Three Simple Soul Care Practices to Lower Anxiety and Experience More Peace”, click here to join me at DaySpring’s (in)courage, where today’s post is published.
Join me there. I’d love your company!
One Word 2017 Letterpress Blocks GIVEAWAY
P
sst… Dear friends, remember to enter the One Word 2017 GIVEAWAY on yesterday’s blog post. Share our One Word – I’ve LOVED reading yours!
Click here to Enter! One Winner will be randomly selected to win DaySpring’s Words Matter – You’re Loved Letterpress Block Set or build your own $100 worth of Letterpress Blocks. (U.S. residents only)
Rest and Refresh: $1.99 eBook Sale!
Rest and refresh for your soul for $2! Get or gift the eBook version of my book Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul to Rest for just $1.99 
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Who can you encourage and share this book with? Awaken your soul from stress and anxiety. Read the beautiful stories shared on Amazon reviews! God’s touching us deeply, kindreds!
// photo by Kelly Ishamel.
1 Comment
Bonnie-
This message popped up in my inbox at just the right time. I have an anxiety disorder and you have defined it in a way that I couldn’t. It’s difficult to push past the fear and move in the direction I’m called to move in. There is a relationship in my life that needs mending, forgiveness and grace. I realized that’s where my anxiety lies, for fear of opening up to this person, only to be hurt again. The writing in this post is encouraging and your three simple steps are just that-simple. Towards the end of the year, I began to draw inward and huddle within myself, giving my fears the right-of-way, not letting anyone in. The anxiety I have felt has been so great, it’s affected me in a physical way where it feels like something is wrong.
In the past week, I’ve contacted my doctor to rule anything out. I’ve reached out to my church family for guidance and have made plans to meet a close friend for coffee 🙂 . Another friend reach out today to go on a walk despite the frigid temps (for us in the Bay Area anyway!). This space that I’m in is allowing our Healer in. So thank you for your encouraging and for the relief that anxiety is not uncommon among us 🙂