We recently did a series at our church on anxiety.
Many churches have done a version of this based off of Max Lucado’s great book entitled “Anxious for Nothing” which is based off of the Apostle Paul’s writings to the Philippians.
“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.” Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything… or, as some translations say… “be anxious for nothing.”
That’s hard enough to say when we are dealing with our every day anxiety triggers – stress, debt, health, kids, marriages, retirement, cars, clowns. You know, the usual stuff.
But then throw a pandemic on top of it? It can get out of control.
I don’t want to minimize the pain of those who have either been infected by COVID-19 or have family who have… but for those of us on the fringes who are simply fearful of this, we have our own anxiety to deal with.
We are anxious. Anxious about getting COVID, about our family getting COVID, about running out of food, about running out of water, about running out of toilet paper! We are anxious about entertaining the kids, we are anxious about calming the kids, we are anxious about our jobs, the economy, the election, our neighbors, our aging parents, our future plans, our canceled plans, and the list goes on.
Here’s the one thing I learned this week. Just because the cause of anxiety may have changed, the remedy is still the same.
Just because the cause of anxiety may have changed, the remedy is still the same.
COVID is a new one. But our cure is an old one.
A few days ago it all hit me. I had tightness in my chest and was struggling with anxious thoughts. I thought, what is the problem? I know I don’t have COVID, my family doesn’t have it. We have toilet paper. Why do I feel like I’m having a panic attack?
Then it hit me. It’s my OCD. It’s my obsession with order and schedule and routine. My plans, just like yours, have all been changed. My daily routine is out of rhythm. I can’t even look forward to decompressing by watching basketball. Everything has changed. And for most of us when everything changes, we freak out.
So I did the one thing that we often forget to do. I talked about it.
I hit pause on whatever TV show we were watching, looked at my family and said “I think I’m struggling.” I apologized for being short with them, explained my fears and concerns, and something strange happened. I relaxed.
They said “great… now hit play.” (they were actually nicer than that 🙂 )
The tightness in my chest went away, I could breathe again, all because I brought a little light into the dark corners of my mind.
As we’ve all heard, our secrets make us sick. And they make us anxious!
Now, if Amazon would just deliver our toilet paper!
Love this!!!! Thanks sharing
Thanks Rusty! I struggle with anxiety and always think of you in my troubled times reminding me that we are all human and even our pastor can struggle with anxiety.Thanks for making us not feel alone, thanks for always thinking of us, thanks for being real, thanks for being the best pastor in the world! I thank God he gave you us to lead us and care for us. We NEED you❤️
Oh, one more thing Rusty… with everything going on I haven’t had a chance to be severely bummed that Tom left us! I guess that’s a good thing. The Buccs? Seriously?! Now what chance do we have against you! ☹️
You always find a way to be make us laugh, you are so real, so transparent, so humble. Thank you for caring so enough to take the time to share with the world your own fears. We all need to feel like we aren’t the only ones feeling what we are; and you always fill that need Rusty! I thank God for you so often, what an enormous blessing you are in our lives.
Thank you Rusty for that reminder! God is there…..but I hate change so yep I’m feeling anxious during this crazy time!
Thank you Pastor Rusty for helping calm our anxious thoughts. There are so
many uncertainties but one things is certain, God is here in our times
of trouble. I appreciate you sharing, letting us all know that we need to be open
about our fears and concerns.
Catherine
Thank you thank you. Exactly how I’ve been feeling and also found talking helps.
The one thing I have always admired about you Rusty, is your ability to be real with us and tell us how you are really feeling and don’t hide back your issue with OCD or anxiety. That takes a true man to admit that and for that I say thank you because I also deal with those same issue from time to time and I am learning to let go and let god and pray my concerns to god but also talk about my fears amongst my family as well and it has helped. Thanks again for writing a great article during this time and sharing what you are going through as I know many of us are going through the same thing and I am sure afraid to admit it.
The one thing I have always admired about you Rusty, is your ability to be real with us and tell us how you are really feeling and don’t hide back your issue with OCD or anxiety. That takes a true man to admit that and for that I say thank you because I also deal with those same issue from time to time and I am learning to let go and let god and pray my concerns to god but also talk about my fears amongst my family as well and it has helped. Thanks again for writing a great article during this time and sharing what you are going through as I know many of us are going through the same thing and I am sure afraid to admit it.
Johnny
Hey Pastor Rusty! Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. I, on the other hand, do not feel a sense of pressure and darkness. Instead I’m kind of enjoying my time with Dan. We don’t have a choice. Now, I’m wondering what’s wrong with me? Why am I not struggling? Somethings wrong with me? Now I’m stressed! No, seriously I am enjoying the intimacy we’ve been able to share (not !!!) Dan is out of town so much. God’s got this! I enjoyed today’s service. I needed me some Kelly worship time too!
Hey Pastor Rusty! Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. I, on the other hand, do not feel a sense of pressure and darkness. Instead I’m kind of enjoying my time with Dan. We don’t have a choice. Now, I’m wondering what’s wrong with me? Why am I not struggling? Somethings wrong with me? Now I’m stressed! No, seriously I am enjoying the intimacy we’ve been able to share (not !!!) Dan is out of town so much. God’s got this! I enjoyed today’s service. I needed me some Kelly worship time too!
Rusty, Thanks. It’s a roller coaster every day. One moment I’m just fine and in an instant fear looms with an anxious thought, the latest news headlines or yet another visit to the store and no paper products to be seen. Family and faith are everything to me. It’s an inspiration to see you so humbly share your family and faith with us every week. Thank-you and God bless.