I think it is good when I have some anxiety about a decision I am making. It means I am thinking about a response rather than indulging a reaction.
Of course when my beloved husband had a heart attack, I was responding as I was praying, but even at such a very frightening and distressing time (my late husband had died of sudden cardiac arrest 14 yeas earlier), I was able to function calmly and efficiently. When we arrived at the hospital there was plenty of waiting and no small sense of urgency as I notified family as far as 14 hours away and started family and friends praying. But through it all my praying habit brought blessing upon blessing. Over the coming days there were tears but no hysteria, anxious moments (really never fun to get a call from ICU at 3:30 a.m.) but no panic. I was convicted that God held us very tenderly in those challenging days, sending so many blessings.
And I have come to appreciate how consistently that, when I'm moving in response to God's Will, I have a sense of peace, calm and stillness. As soon as I start trying to rely on my own abilities and resources, I begin to feel rushed, panicky and awash in an irrational sense of urgency.
So, I take a deep breath, acknowledging God's presence in that moment, affirming or asking for God's guidance, tender care and wisdom. When I feel like a whirling dervish I know it is not the time to make a decision because it would be like throwing a bucket full of darts at a board -- no winning outcome and a big mess to clean up.
I have found help in asking myself: Do I really need to decide this right now?
If someone is rushing you to decide or declare or act "right now" be especially careful. That is so often an indication that they are acting without care and even with a desire to control you or stampede you into something they fear you will avoid if you have time to think about it. Sisters, we have all experienced this and seen this. Learn from it and practice being still, and choosing to pause and claim the promises of God our Savior.
I used to tell my children that it was good for them to be afraid of rushing into traffic on a busy street because it was a dangerous thing to do and should only be attempted with thought and consideration of alternatives. This has been good advice for all my life. When you feel anxious about a course of action it may be God saying "Take care. Go slowly. Think ahead." and it may be God saying "Trust me even as you go ahead with this scary thing." Figuring out which it is can take time. Give yourself the gift of time when seeking the best choice for you."
Of course when my beloved husband had a heart attack, I was responding as I was praying, but even at such a very frightening and distressing time (my late husband had died of sudden cardiac arrest 14 yeas earlier), I was able to function calmly and efficiently. When we arrived at the hospital there was plenty of waiting and no small sense of urgency as I notified family as far as 14 hours away and started family and friends praying. But through it all my praying habit brought blessing upon blessing. Over the coming days there were tears but no hysteria, anxious moments (really never fun to get a call from ICU at 3:30 a.m.) but no panic. I was convicted that God held us very tenderly in those challenging days, sending so many blessings.
And I have come to appreciate how consistently that, when I'm moving in response to God's Will, I have a sense of peace, calm and stillness. As soon as I start trying to rely on my own abilities and resources, I begin to feel rushed, panicky and awash in an irrational sense of urgency.
So, I take a deep breath, acknowledging God's presence in that moment, affirming or asking for God's guidance, tender care and wisdom. When I feel like a whirling dervish I know it is not the time to make a decision because it would be like throwing a bucket full of darts at a board -- no winning outcome and a big mess to clean up.
I have found help in asking myself: Do I really need to decide this right now?
If someone is rushing you to decide or declare or act "right now" be especially careful. That is so often an indication that they are acting without care and even with a desire to control you or stampede you into something they fear you will avoid if you have time to think about it. Sisters, we have all experienced this and seen this. Learn from it and practice being still, and choosing to pause and claim the promises of God our Savior.
I used to tell my children that it was good for them to be afraid of rushing into traffic on a busy street because it was a dangerous thing to do and should only be attempted with thought and consideration of alternatives. This has been good advice for all my life. When you feel anxious about a course of action it may be God saying "Take care. Go slowly. Think ahead." and it may be God saying "Trust me even as you go ahead with this scary thing." Figuring out which it is can take time. Give yourself the gift of time when seeking the best choice for you."
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