THE DAY GOD GAVE ME ANXIETY
A large group of us had just arrived in Estes Park, Colorado located in the Rocky Mountain National Park. We were there for a training to become emcees for a national youth ministry opportunity called Group Workcamps. I was listening to a women telling her story about struggling with anxiety attacks. In my arrogance, I disrespected the woman in my thoughts by saying, "What's the big deal, just give your anxiety and panic attacks to God!" My haughtiness opened the door for God's correction.
The next day the lady with whom I drove in a rental car from the airport decided to cruise the mountains. We had some free time from our training and wanted to enjoy the spectacular surroundings. Our sightseeing excursion took us up Trail Ridge Road and the Continental Divide. The road rises over 4,000' and hits a high elevation of over 12,000'. The scenery was unbelievable until we reached a section of road without guardrails.
I was driving and my knuckles were turning white from squeezing the steering wheel. I hugged the double yellow line in the middle of the road. We were driving along a steep cliff on the that someone had told us was over two miles straight down. The lady with me smiled as she pointed to the mountains in the distance. "Look Bob, those mountains are spectacular! What a view!" I couldn't look, my brain was screaming, "Shut up! I'm not looking at anything but this road" Then it dawned on me, I was having an anxiety attack.
We made it down safely, but I was shaken. I knew that God had used that scary drive to teach me a lesson. He gave me that anxiety attack to drain some haughtiness out of my male ego.I knew I had to apologize to the woman whose anxiety condition I had judged.
For two days I looked for her to no avail. The camp was big, the dorms were separate and we all had different positions. On the last night when I had just about given up hope, I ran into a friend of hers. I told her about a vision I had of her friend who struggled with anxiety. She said that her friend needed to hear about that vision. She suggested I wait in the lobby as she knew her friend would soon come through.
Taking her advice, I waited and about ten minutes later, the woman to whom I needed to apologize came through. She smiled when I asked if I could speak to her for a minute and cheerfully said yes. I humbly apologized. I say humbly not because I was exhibiting a godly character trait, but because God had humbled me big time. It wasn't anything I did on my own.
She smiled again and said she understood. Then I told her about the vision I had of her and jesus. God had given it to me the night before. I saw Jesus with outstretched arms. He appeared like He was still on the cross only freed from it. He was in white and the whole scene was dazzlingly bright. The lady was kneeling in front of Him. There were no words, but there was an intimate knowledge being passed between the two of them. Jesus was saying, I've got you. You're not going to slip any further. I'm holding you and lifting you."
After I told her the vision, she cried and we hugged. I could almost feel anxiety drain out of her body as relief flooded her spirit. I felt better, but shame at my arrogance left a taint on my soul. That's not a bad thing, maybe it will keep me from judging any other folks struggling with anxiety.
Anxiety is like a bird looking for an opportunity to land and make a nest. All human beings will experience some type of anxiety, nervousness, panic or stress. We need to develop an "eagle eye" for identifying triggers or anxiety inducing situations. Being steeped in God's Word will help calm our nerves when driving near steep cliffs.
DAY 14 WORD
‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself.
Exodus 19:4 ICB
Like an eagle that rouses her chicks and hovers over her young, so he spread his wings to take them up and carried them safely on his pinions.
Deuteronomy 32:11
“Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up And makes his nest on high [in an inaccessible place]?
Job 39:27 AMP
He satisfies me with good things. He makes me young again, like the eagle.
Psalm 103:5 ICB
But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him]
Will gain new strength and renew their power;
They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun];
They will run and not become weary,
They will walk and not grow tired.
Isaiah 40:31 AMP
DAY 14 PRAYER
Thank You God for disciplining us when we get arrogant. You know that our pride makes us fall. Thank You for the opportunities to make things right and learn more about you in the process. WE love the way you humble us and use all things to bring us closer to You. Amen
DAY 14 DEEP THOUGHTS
- Deep soaking in God's Word will push anxiety to a shallow place.
- Getting rid of anxiety is a process that may take time.
Deuteronomy 31:8
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