Tag: Anxiety

A Little Dottie for your Day

I used to frequently post a photo of Dottie with this tagline. There’s just something about her bright, intelligent eyes, her sweet smile, and joyful demeanor that captivated people. She’s been a joy since she was born and we love her so much. These last couple months, we’ve had a lot of Dottie each day but in a very different way.

This last week I was reading the book of Joshua in my Bible plan. Over and over in that book, God says don’t be afraid, have courage, do not fear.

At one point He says “Only be very courageous!”

It was fitting, as God’s word always is. Yet, it never ceases to amaze me that it always perfectly aligns with my situation. It’s like God intimately knows!

On Wednesday, I had to face some real fear. And I praise God for these verses leading up to and even on that day.

For a couple months now our sweet Dottie has been dealing with chronic headaches. It had seemed to progress from occasionally to daily. She complained multiple times a day and became sluggish. She went back to napping daily after having not napped for a year.

I’m not one to rush to the doctor, but after two months of trying every home remedy and craniosacral work with no lasting results, I knew something was wrong.

After a couple appointments and lab work that showed she was reacting to dairy and gluten, we also scheduled an MRI. Before our appointment as I prayed and thought about it all, I knew I wanted labs and imaging. I’m thankful the pediatrician felt the same way and got things moving.

Last Friday, she had her MRI.

This last Wednesday I got a call from the pediatrician’s office. They left a message saying he wanted to meet with me that day and to call back. When I did, the assistant said that the doctor would really like both mom and dad on the video call. Nothing unnerves you quite like that comment. We had been told Friday there was nothing alarming but the results would go to our pediatrician and he’d reach out so I honestly put it at the back of my mind and didn’t think more about it.

But when they said “today” and “both mom and dad”, my heart started racing and my mind felt foggy like I couldn’t think straight. I was honestly terrified of what they were going to tell me.

And I had to fight that fear all morning as I waited for our appointment.

I had to run to the store and Ortho, which was a blessing because it kept me busy. And it was a double blessing because while at Aldi, I ran into some amazing, godly, friends. The Lord said to me in that moment, “I put them here for you”.

So I told them what was going on and how scared I felt. They prayed right there in the store with me. I felt the fear and anxiety lift and my mind clear. Thank you, Jesus!

Andrew and I figured out how to both get on the video call with some frustration and could finally talk to the doctor.

Dottie has been diagnosed with Chiari Malformation Type 1. The brain tissue is down over her brain stem too far, causing pressure. Because of the pressure the spinal fluid can’t flow freely, causing headaches.

Many have said I’m so sorry and diagnoses are so heartbreaking. But, honestly, I was just relieved to know something specific. And relieved it wasn’t a brain tumor. At least with a diagnosis, we can face it head on and research what can be done.

Right now, we’re in the gathering information stage. We don’t feel rushed to make a hurried decision because since we’ve taken dairy and gluten out of her diet, her energy level is back up and she rarely complains of headaches now. We can see how much better she feels in her face with those changes so we’re thankful the Lord has given her that relief and all of us the extra time.

The neurologist’s solution is a deconstruction surgery where they take a portion of the skull out to make more room. I recently met someone who had this surgery and found so much relief from it. I’m so thankful the Lord is placing people in our lives at just the right time to help us on this journey.

We’re talking to a lot of people right now, praying, and watching Dottie closely. She is her regular, happy, joyful, energetic self and has handled the diet change like a champ, for which we’re thankful as well.

God knows exactly what the next steps are, even if we don’t. We’re trusting His perfect plan and asking for His guidance in everything. We’re thanking Him for already answering so many prayers and giving us tangible support and reminders that He’s right here with us.

Joshua 1:5-6 Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous
Joshua 1:7 Only be very strong and courageous
Joshua 1:9  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 3:7 As I was with Moses, so I will be with you

The Battle: Fear vs. Trust

Well, it’s getting really real! The second shipment of seeds came!

Unlike the first shipment, I didn’t feel excitement. I felt fear and dread creep over me. Do you ever get that uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach? No? Just me?

This whole idea came about slowly over the years we’ve lived here, yet now that it’s here, it’s a bit terrifying. I’ll share the vision story at some point, but for now, we truly believe God has called us to this. He put this idea on our hearts and is leading the way.

So, then, where does the fear and dread come from, you ask?

I’m a planner. To my very core, I love to plan. I love a clean notebook and Pilot G2 0.7 pen. I love to research and take notes and ponder what it could look like. I love to think through all the details and sort them out. Problem is, God’s not letting me plan this time around. At least not how I like to.

He has been slowly giving us one small step at a time and I’m having to learn to just trust Him over and over and over. It’s been a huge refining process for me. Huge.  I want to look ahead and figure out everything as is my nature. But God keeps reigning me in and telling me He’s got this.

Those steps He gives are so good and perfect just like you would expect from Him. He has been leading us down a beautiful path that He has created and ordained for our family. I’ve always looked at those families who have that “one thing”, that unique trait that sets them apart. Like a family of musicians or a family of farmers or a family of kayakers. Whatever it might be, they have that one trait that binds them together. And God is giving us that trait to unify us as a family, which is another whole story in the midst of this.

For now, as we walk this path He has given us, I have to keep laying down the fears and worries and the unknown. I have to keep reminding myself He is trustworthy and faithful.

Years ago, a friend and I had planned and set up a silent auction to help a women’s center. It was a huge undertaking and I remember freaking out the week before. I was asking Andrew, in a panic, “what if no one shows up? What if no one contributes?”

He said very calmly, “He got you this far. He’s not about to leave you at the doorstep.”

So, I guess one of the steps I have to keep retaking in this journey is the step of trust. I have to repeatedly tell my heart His truths to calm fear and anxiety. And maybe you are facing a totally different journey, and yet you feel your throat constrict, your heart race, and your gut sink when you look ahead. Maybe you don’t wake up in a panic over bugs infesting your squash or mold killing your plants, but you do wake up in a panic! Maybe you don’t worry about no one signing up for your endeavor, but you do find yourself worrying.

Here’s what I’ve been doing and maybe it’ll help you too. Stick to Hs truths.

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Psalm 20:7

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6‭-‬7

The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
Proverbs 29:25

I could keep going, but you get the idea. Look up trust in your Bible and start reading and praying His words right back to Him.

Lord, I trust you. Let me rise up on eagle’s wings, help me run and not grow weary, help me walk and not grow faint. Let me not sit in the snare of fear but trust you and be kept safe. I will cast all my worries on you because you care for me and I will trust in the path you have made straight for me. I will trust in the name of the Lord and when I doubt, renew my strength and trust by reminding me of your faithfulness again and again.

A Stirring

It feels like it’s been a while since I’ve been here. Sorry! Sometimes I just hit dry spells and don’t know what to write about. Other times there are so many thoughts I’m not sure which direction to go. This time around it’s been vacillating between both!

Part of me thinks, well, life is just life right now. Plugging away at school, work, activities. Waiting, somewhat impatiently, for a sweet baby to arrive. Nothing overly exciting, you know. So then I think, there’s nothing people would want to hear about. Sometimes, just for fun, I browse YouTube vloggers to see what they are sharing and some of it is just so weird and silly. “Spend the day cleaning with me”, or “Here’s what we eat in a day”. Who wants to spend their time watching that? It seems so silly to me.

The other part of me thinks about all that’s going on in our world, our nation, our streets, our relationships and it’s so overwhelming I don’t know what to address. And, honestly, I don’t want to share my opinions on it all. Why? I just don’t think it’ll help. A friend recently told me that Facebook is like an echochamber. People throw their opinions out there or repost someone else’s opinion that they agree with and it just goes round and round. No one is changing anyone’s mind and no one is really listening to anyone else, just their own echo. And, they feel justified in sharing those posts because, really, people need to know the ‘truth’. If I’m completely honest, I just scroll past those opinions. You aren’t changing my mind via Facebook and I don’t bother posting what I believe to be true because I already know you’re scrolling past them too.

But, something that has been stirring in my heart in the midst of this all is this: there is absolute truth. There is something out there that we can stand on, no matter what’s happening around us. And, if you are feeling anxious, tired, worried, scared, depressed, angry because of what is happening in our world, then I need to ask you a question.

Are you standing firm on absolute truth or are you being tossed about by the waves?

It’s not an easy question to answer. Because often, we don’t even want to give up our anxiety and worries. For some reason, it feels good to hang on to those.

But, I want to challenge you to lay it down. Stop the anxiety. Stop the worry. I’m not saying it’s easy. I am saying it’s possible.

The Lord tells us repeatedly in His Word “Do not be afraid” “Don’t worry” “Be strong and courageous”. Why does he tell us over 300 times? Because He knows we need to hear it over and over and over. Everyday. Sometimes every minute.

In Joshua 1, God tells Joshua three times “Be strong and courageous”. But one of those times He says, “Be strong and VERY courageous” (emphasis mine). I just love that. God keeps saying it and then emphasizes it. Don’t just be strong and courageous, but be very courageous. He doesn’t want His people to be cowardly, to huddle away from the conflict or the trouble. God wants us to be courageous.

Very courageous.

Are you living in fear and anxiety and letting it rule you?

I’m not pointing fingers. I’m asking myself this question too.

If the answer is yes, what do we do? Again, God’s firm foundation, His Word answers for us.

2 Corinthians 10:5 – We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Have you ever really pondered this verse? Do you realize this means you can actually take control of your thoughts? Do you realize you have control over your anxious and fearful thoughts? Again, I’m not saying it’s easy, but it is possible.

Years ago, when I suffered depression and severe anxiety, I learned how to do this. It’s takes diligence, perseverance, hard work, and patience. It was horribly difficult at first and felt like an exhausting battle in my mind. Day by day, though, it got easier and easier. And I didn’t have to fight as often or as hard the better I got at it.

You can choose what you think about. You can control what enters your mind. You can fight those thoughts of anxiety and fear. Doesn’t it feel good to know that through Christ you have this power? I know it gives me a sense of freedom from the troubles of this world.

The next step of taking your thoughts captive is replacing them with different thoughts. You can’t just take those anxious thoughts captive and then expect them not to return. You have to fill your mind with something very specific.

Wouldn’t you know it? God’s Word shows up with the answer again.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters,

whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

If all the posts on FB are making you anxious, get rid of it and take that time to read God’s Word. If the news is making you afraid, turn it off and read God’s Word. If you’re worried about being sick, turn to God’s Word. It’s filled with promises, truth, hope – things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.

I’m telling you from personal experience this works. Not only does it rid your mind of fear and anxiety, but it changes you. Deep within you are changed. That change comes out in ways you may not even expect. Others will notice you are more hope-filled, more content, more outward focused.

Fear can creep in at any time. Be prepared. This world is unsure and will continue to be so. Put your trust and hope where there is certainty – God’s Word.