If you’ve struggled to make it through a day without picturing the worst possible scenario around every corner, you may share these thoughts…

Maybe you walk into a restaurant and immediately plan your path of escape in case of emergency.

Maybe you lie in bed at night counting each breath, wondering if your heart will stop at any moment.

Maybe you watch a movie and see your life taking on the tragic storyline, even though there is no true comparison.

Maybe you worry about what will happen to your kids every minute of the day.

These were thoughts that rolled around my head when I was trapped in anxiety, assuming the worst, my heart and mind torn to pieces, immobilized by fear and what ifs.

I used to think the opposite of anxiety was peace. It is not, Hope is. God’s peace, His promised wholeness heals, renews, and His hope helps us to anticipate the best around every corner.

Because God loves me,

Because God made me,

Because God forgave and continually forgives me,

Because God is faithful, He is who He says He is, and He will do what He says He will do, I WILL NOT FEAR.

When anxious feelings creep up, I see them as an alert, an indicator that something needs to be attended to.

Maybe instead of an exit plan, I can see God’s grace in the moment and have a heart of thankfulness to have food in front of me.

Maybe instead of counting each breath in fear, I focus on the fact that I am breathing, I am living, and while I have breathe, there is purpose I can fulfill.

Maybe it’s snuggles, deep conversations, quiet intimate moments, loud moments of joy.

Maybe instead of seeing a tragic storyline, it’s looking back and seeing God’s faithfulness and standing on the promises for the future. He promises forgiveness, love, peace, and hope eternal.

Where is your focus this season? What are your thoughts you are choosing to entertain?

More to come…verses, prayers, thoughts, stories of God’s hope, healing, and peace.