First day of Spring with a Forecast of Snow

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I will hope in him."  Lamentations 3: 22-24 (ESV)

 I woke up this morning with the bad taste of yesterday's worries in my mouth. I'd went to bed grumpy and fearful after a long day of bad news. Sleep had been slow coming and restless rather than restful. My alarm came too early and my eyes didn't want to open. I could feel the cold just beyond the warmth of my blankets and I could hear the rain dripping on the window pane. I wanted to pull the covers over my head and be swallowed up in the sweet oblivion of sleep again. But the dog needed to go outside, Emily needed to go to school, Tony needed his lunch packed and I had a full day of work ahead of me. There would be no lingering in bed this morning.

My feet hit the ground and the negative thoughts began. Of course, nothing had been resolved overnight. These were the kind of worries that fester and brew. There was nothing to fix, no decision to be made, no amends to be offered. It was the realization that some things must be endured, bad things happen and life doesn't unfold as we planned. It was the first day of spring with a weather forecast of snow.

These are the mornings that I need to be reminded of the words in Lamentations: "[His mercies] are new every morning. Great is [his] faithfulness." God's mercies provide hope that in the midst of despair that new life is possible. I don't have to have all the answers, nor does it all have to make sense.  God's new and unending mercies wash away my old worries. Spring is here no matter the forecast. And God's faithfulness is enough for each and every day.

Calming the Savage Beast - Some Thoughts on Anxious Thoughts

      Do you ever feel guilty for complaining or worrying about something? Today I’m anxious about a couple of things. I’m trying to patiently wait to hear about 2 different job interviews.  In the grand scheme of things, employment can be a big ticket item. After all, it is necessary for most people to be employed in order to provide for themselves and their families.  So I feel at least a little justified for the worry. 

      But then I hear about other people’s troubles: young mothers facing serious health problems, families mourning the loss of dear ones, heads of households staring layoffs and unemployment in the face. Suddenly, my problems seem so much smaller. While I want to change jobs, and I even feel called by God to change jobs, I am currently employed.  I don’t lack for anything, my family is healthy for the most part. Now I feel anxious about feeling anxious and the fun really starts. 

     Lately, when I feel anxious and nothing else seems to calm my spirit, I grab my guitar and sing. Music has always calmed the savage beast that rages inside me in these anxious moments. But some places are harder to sing my heart out in than others. I’m not sure my cube-mates at work would appreciate it. Or maybe it would make for a less stressed workplace all around. At work, I put my headphones on, queue up a Youtube video of one of my favorite songs and try to keep myself from singing along. Not the same as singing myself, but as they say “it’ll do in a pinch.”

     Here's one of my favorites: Heather Berry singing "God on the Mountain" (click on the title to follow the link)

     How do you calm the savage beast of anxious thoughts?  Bible verses? Exercise? It never hurts to have a trunk full of options when facing anxious thoughts, without the proper preparation even the the strongest person can be overcome.