There are certain pieces of information that my brain just does not need.
As an avid news watcher, inevitably I run into information that is too much for me to handle. I keep up with the news because I don’t want to miss information during times like the present. Right now, things in our lives are changing rapidly and because of the newness of this virus, it’s important for me to stay up to date.
I’m still waiting for more information to arise regarding pregnant women and the affects it may or may not have on the unborn. So far, crickets.
I check the local news on TV, the news app on my phone and, sometimes Facebook.
Facebook has been my enemy in this area.
Because of my history, the things I endured as a child and the stuff I saw, I don’t have a inch of room for reports of abuse of any kind inside my head. I don’t look for these things and every time something is shared that is vague but, enough for me to know what it means, it sends me into a complete tailspin! I get furious with the one who shared it and think to myself, “who needs to know that!?!” I get upset that it’s even being shared.
Realistically, that is not how I really feel. People do need to be aware, and I wish more people payed attention to be able to help the ones who cannot help themselves.
It’s me. It’s my inability to handle these kinds of things. If I allow myself to, I will spend days, weeks or months losing sleep and having anxiety attacks over what I read or heard.
This is when I long for the return of Jesus. This is when I beg that He not tarry for another moment and end the misery that so many live in.
These stories used to take me out of my head for countless hours. I didn’t know what to do and the thought of another in pain could take me to my knees. I didn’t know the way out of that darkness and I never let anyone close enough to me to help.
Today my story is different. I am reminded to share this because just tonight, it happened again. I came across some Covid-19 snippet about how this could affect the ones who suffer from abuse and I immediately started to heat up on the inside.
I never took medication. Even before I was a believer I didn’t want to rely on pills. I’m not against them by any means, but…
This is just about me.
I couldn’t just go to straight to meds without a chance at healing what was broken. I didn’t even know WHAT was broken but, I knew I was a mess inside. Something was in 1000 pieces, lol. Healing was ultimately what I needed. I longed to be free from the dark room I lived in inside my head. I had to try and change that first.
So, fast forward 14 years and here I am with the greatest weapon I’ve ever known, The Word of God, Jesus Christ.
Sometimes I’m caught off guard and darkness turns the corner to slap me in the face. That’s when I go to the only place I’ve ever known to offer me peace and restore my mind. And peace rushes in faster than the darkness did.
The presence of God is like a weightless room full of love, joy and, a peace that out does any word you could use to describe it.
Take a minute to recall the best news you’ve ever received. News that in an instant, you could physically feel the weight of the world lifted from your shoulders…
The presence of God is better that even that!
If you say it’s impossible, I say hush until you try it, lol. I don’t know anyone who has walked out of that place unchanged. I don’t know a single person who has been there and then denied the power that He holds!
Anxiety? Invite Him in. Stress? Invite Him in. Worry? Invite Him in.
He is literally 3 words away. It could be less than that but, my go-to is “God, please help me.” Now that I know Him (and I mean now that I know He knows what I need before I ask) I utter the name of Jesus until peace comes rushing in. It takes seconds, but in seconds I am restored to where I was before I read the terrible headline.
He saved me in 2006, He continues to save me today, and He is coming to save me when He returns.
He is steadfast, never changing. He is the Prince of Peace.
If you don’t know Him and you know you need Him, don’t wait. He’s not looking for you to change who you are before you invite Him into your heart. No amount of pain or mental torment is too big for God. Choose Him, choose peace.
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Psalms 91:1 NIV
Beautifully stated. Capture every anxious thought in Christ.