Restless, Anxious, and Crazy

Today’s Message was written by my friend Rev. Andy Odom.

In my ministry, whenever I’ve talked about being busy, or being stressed out, or anxious, I’ve usually had something to suggest that might simplify things or help try to reduce the anxiety others are feeling. But I do know, that sometimes life just gets so restless, anxious, and crazy, that there’s really not much you can do about it except try your best to plow through it.

At our church, we have just launched a capital campaign to address some building issues that are affecting our ability to do ministry. It’s an absolutely needed thing, and we have to do it. It’s the right thing to do. But… It’s busy. It would already be busy if that’s all we were doing, but when it’s on top of everything else we’re already doing, it’s super crazy, anxious, restless, nutty busy. The people in our church who are involved, including myself, are busy people already. And yet, we’ve all agreed to put our effort behind it. 

One of the things I’ve had to do is lower the expectations I have of myself. And I have been learning to say that that’s OK. Something else I’m doing is reminding myself that this temporary business is exactly that, temporary.

There are those times in life when we simply have to put our heads down and plow forward as best we can, hoping that we will get through it in sound mind. And, of course, God’s great promise to us is to be present with us even in those times. 

When we just have to take each step as best we can, whether we’ve been able to remember to put shoes on our feet or not, God is still right there with us, holding us close, and lifting us up. It is, perhaps, during the times when we feel most lost, that we rely on the steady hand of God more than any other.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed this week, I’m with you. I’m praying for you. Take care of yourself. And trust that God is with you.

Let us pray: God of Grace, help us to find our rest in you. Center us. Ground us. And grant us your peace. Amen.