Peace be with me

Philippians 4:6-7   ⁶ Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. ⁷ Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Being well acquainted with anxiety, this passage caught my eye on the back cover of a prayer booklet I was reading during Eucharistic Adoration last Sunday.  That evening, I went to my computer and copied the passage from the Bible Gateway source and pasted it above.  The next morning, I checked my social media and found the same passage cited on a friend’s posting.  Maybe God is trying to tell me something.

Having enough faith to put complete trust in God is not easy for us worriers.  Some of our brains are wired in such a way to overreact to stressful situations.  That feeling of panic with a pounding heart, upset stomach, chest tightness, and the compounding reactions to the reaction only serve to exacerbate the anxiety. 

I have written on this topic before because of the impact it has had on my life, and the realization that there are likely many people, especially young people, who are experiencing similar feelings every day. Unchecked anxiety can make the most mundane situation seem like an insurmountable obstacle for some. 

One of my current anxieties comes from the realization that I passed this tendency on to my children, all three of which have been affected.  While a genetic component contributes to this affliction, my anxiety-affected behavior undoubtedly influenced them as they grew up.  Observing a parent who appears overly cautious in avoiding certain situations is bound to crimp a child’s self-confidence.  I so regret that one of my sons still suffers greatly.

Today, much help is available that did not exist when I was young.   Awareness of the problem among healthcare professionals, counselors, and the general population have reduced the stigma attached to seeking help for mental illnesses.  Just knowing that others experience these feelings, and understanding the causes can bring some comfort.  By all means, anyone whose daily life is constricted by anxiety and panic should be encouraged to seek treatment.

That being said, we should be comforted by the words of Paul in his letter to the Philippians.  If we place our complete trust in God by prayer and petition, the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will bring us comfort in Christ Jesus.  Ask God for help.  That help may come in the form of increased faith and self-confidence, or by obtaining the strength and courage needed to face those fears, seeking professional help when necessary. Don’t be afraid!