Stepping Forward Despite Anxiety
Do you ever feel led to make a move or a change in your life, but as soon as you begin to consider the possibilities you become bombarded with doubts, questions, and maybe even fear? Does thinking about it cause butterflies in your stomach, racing heart rate, tension in your muscles, trouble concentrating, sleepless nights, or maybe you try to avoid thinking about it altogether? Maybe it isn’t even something as major as moving out of state or changing jobs. Maybe it’s asking someone out on a date, going to a doctor’s appointment, or speaking or performing in front of others.
Frequently, our first instinct is to avoid whatever it is that’s making us anxious, because when we do, those uncomfortable thoughts and feelings subside. Unfortunately, avoidance only serves to intensify those feelings. Eventually, the anxiety can get so bad we become stuck…plagued by fear, worry, and overthinking…unable to move in any direction.
As I was reflecting on anxiety, the underlying fear that feeds it, and what the cycle of anxiety and avoidance robs my clients of, I thought about the story of Abraham. Genesis chapters 12 through 25 outline Abraham’s journey to the Promised Land and God’s faithfulness despite Abraham’s many shortcomings. What stood out to me first and foremost is highlighted in v. 2 where God told Abraham (“Abram” at the time) “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” Then in v. 4 it says, “So Abram went, as the Lord had told him…” WOW! Can you imagine? Without hesitation, Abraham picked up everything leaving behind his family and land, his country, and his culture, basically everything that was familiar, comfortable, and safe, and began on a journey to a place he didn’t even know of yet! Talk about anxiety-inducing! Despite everything he stood to lose, HE WENT. Abraham took a step of faith (obedience, action, movement) rather than become stuck out of fear, overthinking, or avoidance. He had to give up what he had for the something better God had for him…more than he could ever have imagined! Abraham BELIEVED God, and because of that, it was credited to him as righteousness (Gen 15:6). God not only blessed Abraham (v 2), but all those who blessed him, and all the families of the earth (v 3). Abraham’s faith and action had an eternal impact! In return for Abraham’s willingness to be obedient to God, He made Abraham the father of many nations, “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, And you will be the father of a multitude of nations.” (Gen. 17:4)
Maybe you’re worried about making a mistake or making a wrong decision. Maybe you struggle with self-doubt, guilt, or shame and have thoughts like “I’m not good enough.” Another huge revelation I had reading this story was that Abraham and his wife, Sarah (originally Sarai), didn’t have to do things perfectly in order to receive God’s promises.
Consider these missteps along their journey:
· Despite God’s promise to give Abraham and Sarah a son, even in their old age, they both LAUGHED at God (Gen 17:16-17; Gen 18:10-15) Can you imagine?!
· At Sarah’s insistence, Abraham slept with Sarah’s servant, Hagar, and got her pregnant (Gen 16:4). Then Sarah became jealous and treated her so harshly, Hagar ran away (16:6).
· When Abraham and Sarah reached Egypt, Abraham told her to lie and say she was his sister so that he would not be killed (Gen. 12:13). Then, he lied AGAIN (20:2)!
Despite their lack of faith, doubt, and fear, God was faithful to fulfill His promises to them and blessed them with a son, Isaac (Gen 21:2), and even blessed his illegitimate son, Ishmael (Gen 21:18). Indeed, God made Abraham the father of many nations, even as far as to bless his lineage to include the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.
Do you sense God’s leading in some direction, but fear or doubt are holding you back? Do you worry about what you might have to give up in order to be obedient? Maybe it’s comfort, a relationship (even possibly your closest ones), an addiction, or other unhealthy coping mechanism. Maybe it’s your own plans and goals, your security, or your most prized possession. Consider the story of the Pearl Necklace:
The Pearl Necklace
The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box. "Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them?
Please, Mommy, please?"
Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face. "A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them,
I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time, you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."
As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.
Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere - Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.
Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?"
"Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess - the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you gave me. She's my favorite."
"That's okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss."
About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again,
"Do you love me?"
"Daddy, you know I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful, and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."
"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you" And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.
A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.
"What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?"
Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It's for you." With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny. He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure.
-author unknown
While avoidance can give us a temporary sense of relief, taking a step toward the very thing we fear can be empowering! God always has our best interest in mind and only wants good things for us. Even in challenging and painful times, He has the ability to take those things and use them for our good and His glory. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper and not harm you. To give you hope and a future.” When we let go of things like fear of failure, fear of pain, fear of loneliness, fear of disappointment, fear of being let down by others, fear of not having “enough” or BEING enough; fear of taking risks and possibly sacrificing stability, familiarity, friends, family, or fear of losing control, only then will our hands be open to receive the blessings God has for us. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us “Don’t 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.”
As we look toward the new year, let’s reflect on those things that might be holding us back from taking those steps we’ve been avoiding, and instead, commit to taking a step of faith, and walking into a life of fullness, blessings, and peace.
About Two Roads Wellness Clinic
At Two Roads Wellness Clinic, we want to help you find the path that makes a difference in your life. We’re an integrative health clinic offering a vast array of services including, mental health treatments such as EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), Christian counseling, expressive arts therapy, family therapy, medication management, primary care, integrative nutritional support including genetic nutritional counseling, life coaching, massage therapy, physical therapy, infrared sauna services, community education and outreach, and more.
The Two Roads Wellness Clinic team of therapists, medical and nutrition staff, massage therapists, life coaches, physical therapists, and emotional support animals are ready to help you find an integrated approach to your wellness. To schedule an appointment, visit our contact page, to get started at one of our convenient locations in Champaign, Danville, or Mahomet.