Jesus' peace keeps the worry wheel from spinning

A teen friend was over the other day. She's excited to be casting her first vote for a president of the United States. But also worried as to how the whole proceedings work — if she'll know what to do when she gets there.

We got to talking about things that make us feel anxious. I confessed there are many times I fight this feeling. She wanted insight into winning such a fight. Wouldn't it be wonderful to just do this and this and voila — no more worries.

It's a lifelong battle, I told her. There's always something to worry about. Worry is like a circle stuck in one gear — spinning us around and around.

Terry and I had the airline's COVID-19 test details all worked out for a Thanksgiving trip to Alaska. Two nights ago we got a postponement call from our daughter. She says the hospital where she and her husband are nurses is continuing to fill with coronavirus patients. They do what they can to protect themselves — but can't guarantee they wouldn't bring it home to us. How do I not worry about their well-being?

I was going to Spokane this past weekend to spend time with some young grands. Only an hour from my arrival their teen sister suddenly realized her “cold” had worsened. Pressure in her chest. Couldn't smell her Vicks Vaporub. She went straight for a COVID-19 test and I headed back home — car loaded with books and games and goodies. The standard grandma “toy hauler.”

Her test returned positive. How do I not worry for this family?

Like everyone else I want “my” ticket to win in the presidential election. What if it doesn't? There's another four years before the next vote. How am I not supposed to worry about the ramifications of this?

My teen friend and I agreed it's good to voice anxiety. So we don't stagger from all the dizzy riding the worry wheel. So we know we aren't the only ones going circular on the inside.

When I told this friend I have to fight to not give in to anxiety I meant it. It's a battle I cannot win by myself. A popular contemporary song holds this line, “Heaven comes to fight for me.”

I have found nothing truer. It's what I count on. I've got a Savior fighting for me. One who says when I'm troubled to come to Him and find rest for my weary soul. Who tells me flat out there are things in life that will pull me down — but that He is more than any of these. And He is forever.

I take great comfort and great courage in the words of Jesus, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”

His peace calms my worry. It's real and it works.