When you go to West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, there are many attractions. When I was a teenager, I went on the roller coaster that goes upside down and twists, while rushing forward at high speeds.
When I reflect on this teenage experience, I remember it as fun but a little tense. Then about six years ago I went on the roller coaster again because my daughters, who were teenagers at the time, went on some rides and somehow, I went on the roller coaster with my wife. When I went the second time it felt quite different. There are times in your life when you say to yourself, regarding something tense that happened, and you say to yourself, "That was tense, but after everything was said and done, I'd be willing to do it again." Yet, for me I said to myself, "I was anxious about that experience, but I did it anyways, and it was terrible and I'll never ever do that again!"
As we go through life, we go through so many experiences that cause us anxiety. These experiences probably ignited anxiety before, during and after the event or circumstance, but then finally the anxiety subsided. When we look at the sacred scriptures, we read about their thoughts on anxiety. One of the spiritual elders named Paul said in one his letters to the Philippians (Phil. 4:6–7): "Do not 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."
Sometimes this is easier said than done.
As a believer in Jesus I believe the word of God is true. I believe the writers of the scriptures were divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit. I believe that Jesus is the word of God. Yet, when we practically live out these two verses of not allowing anxiety to overtake us; how does this look as this is lived out in real time? Let me show you how I've handled these two verses as I have lived it out to the best of my ability.
I've had some circumstances that have caused some extra anxiety. The most recent circumstance has been my daughter coming down with cancer for the second time. One of the prayers that I have been trying to pray goes like this. "Dear Lord, you say in Your Word not to be anxious about anything, but today I'm feeling overly anxious, and I don't want to feel that way. Lord, please help me!"
After I say this kind of prayer, I then try to have some action that I do, to try and make that happen. For me some of those actions include taking care of my hygiene, doing some cleaning around the house, doing some work on my research for my studies, working part time jobs while I do ministry and my studies, making sure my part time work doesn't interfere with my being there for my daughter and her appointments. If a job is interfering, I let the job go and trust God to provide.
Some other actions that I do are making phone calls or sending emails that have to do with my daughter's condition. I am an advocate for her and ask about things my daughter may not have thought about or to make sure things haven't slipped through the cracks with her doctor. Basically, looking out for her best interests. I also share my burdens with others and have them pray with me and allow them to talk to me.
The final activity that I'll mention is to take on projects at home that have to do with cleaning, organizing, renovating, or improving how the house looks. Both inside and out. Here's some examples: painting a room, painting a bed frame, going to the dump with clutter, cleaning, installing key chain hooks, buying and hanging nice pictures, putting up blinds on windows that have no blinds, and the list goes on.
I do these activities because I find that the more time I have to think about negative thoughts, the more I'll allow my mind to wander into those thoughts. Yet, when I do things that are benefiting the quality of life for my daughter and for my family, it allows me to take all that anxiety and pour it into doing something very constructive. Something that is actually benefiting someone.
I also find that when the situation calms down, I then switch gears and go back to whatever my normal routine is, because as beneficial as these projects are, I can't keep up that momentum forever. Yet, they serve a purpose while I'm gong through that particular difficult time. My anxiety actually can accomplish things instead of paralyzing me.
I may never go on a roller coaster ever again, but when I'm going through a season of extra anxiety the best approach for me is to: pray, leave it with God, and find something constructive to do so my mind doesn't wander too far into negative or worrisome thoughts. I want to do what those two verses from Paul say to do. Don't be anxious about anything by praying about it, being thankful for what God has given me and try to make it even better and share my burdens with others. Allowing God to transcend my anxious mind and give me a peace that only He can give. All the while guarding my heart and mind in and through Christ Jesus.
Parry Stelter is a doctoral candidate with Providence University and Seminary in Contextual Leadership. He is an active member of his home church in Stony Plan, AB, Canada. He also offers workshop on dealing with grief, loss and intergenerational trauma, amongst other workshops. Visit his website at wordofhopeministries.ca to learn more about this ministry and all the resources
