Got an Anxious on your back?

My Anxious

It is so easy to acquire an Anxious. All you need is something to worry about, an unknown with some negative possibilities attached, and presto! An Anxious can be yours.

I made mine fuzzy purple and green. Although cutely muppet-like, make no mistake, it is heavy. And it hangs on.

It thinks it's so welcome because of all those dire circumstances. It makes itself at home on my forehead when I try to go to sleep. It tags along in the car, reminding me that there could be dark clouds on the horizon.  It sits with me over tea, categorizing all the ways that something bad can happen. Its favorite phrase is "What if..?", but never with a nice outcome.

It really is a nuisance, this Anxious.

I know that for some folks, an Anxious is the result of a little faulty brain chemistry, eased quickly with a bit of medical help.

But my Anxious capitalizes on another faulty brain system: my memory.  I am so forgetful sometimes.  I forget that I am on a journey with a very good God, who loves me better than anyone else ever could. I forget that my big Father knows what is good for me and had made certain promises to me, like "I will never leave you or forsake you...I will help you, I will strengthen you, I will hold you up with my righteous right hand... I will work out all things for the good of those who love me... Every good and perfect gift comes from me.... I am your refuge, and nothing can separate you from my love."

When storm clouds start their ominous rumble, I forget all these true things.  I also forget that this Savior-Friend of mine has a track record of faithfulness. Even when my life has been horrible, he finds a way to make something beautiful. He has always provided for me. He's always taught me something new and important. He's never let me down... but I forget.

I forget all those things and the Anxious seizes an opportunity to latch on to my cable-knit for a ride.

I suppose I'm a slow learner. What was it that all those old testament prophets and patriarchs always said? Remember... Remember how your clothing and shoes did not wear out? Remember that sea, parting for your freedom when you thought all was lost?  Remember the child, promised and delivered in old age? Remember?  What was it that those New Testament disciples kept proclaiming? Remember... Remember how he fed 5000 people with so little food? Remember how he healed that woman, stopping to listen to her history of woe? Remember Lazarus coming out of that tomb? Remember "It is finished!" and "I have overcome the world"? Remember?

But if I really want to get the Anxious off my back, I have to do more than remember.  I have to trust. Trust that He who began a good work will bring it to completion. Trust that he will lead me if I will follow, and he never goes the wrong way. If I can remember his faithfulness, and commit my heart to trust him, that Anxious hasn't got a snowflake's chance in hell.

I need to remember. I need to trust.  Those things that hover threateningly? God is not surprised or frightened by them.  He's pretty big, you know, bigger than any ill wind or night terror. So if I am with him, hiding out under that big arm, holding that big hand, I don't need to worry about a thing.

I really can be anxious for nothing. I just need to remember the truth and trust it... He has always, always, always been faithful.

I love him, and oh man, I KNOW he loves me.  He is such a good God.