ANXIETY. It seems to be everywhere. People talk about it and people experience it. It is on the television, radio, and in the newspaper. We live in an uncertain world. Our nation is at war. There is a new virus that is killing people abroad and is now creeping into North America. We have certainly not even begun to recover from 9-11. Daily live pictures from Iraq stream into our living rooms. Those of us in Oklahoma City prepare to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the Murrah Building bombing. The truth of that horror can still haunt us. The stark reality is that there is truly no safe place. In the counseling room, I see people going through difficult life situations. Now they have the anxieties of the world added on. We wonder when will it all end. The truth is it probably will not.

Scripture clearly tells us that there will be difficult times. The Good News is that God will walk through these times with us. The Good News is that God will carry us through these times if we need Him to … and many of us do. Since the beginning of time, we see that God on occasion intervenes in history and changes its course. Most of the time we see Him reaching out to be there for us and to change us. God wants to give us an inner peace that only comes through Him. A popular Christian song repeats the phrase “God is in control” over and over. It is a truth we must never forget. What is going on today in the world is not a surprise to God. George Bush is not our President by accident. What Saddam Hussein has done to the people of Iraq is not news to God. In the midst of the chaos God is still God and we are still His people. He loves us, cares for us, and is there for us. The whole world can come tumbling down and we still have Him. He truly is the Alpha and Omega. Our destiny is in His hands and there is no other place that I would rather be.

So what can we do to lower our anxiety levels? Try these ideas.

1. Limit the time that you sit in front of the TV. Keep up with events but keep it to a minimum.

2. Pray. Pray for our President. He is a godly man who prays daily for God’s guidance. Also pray for our other leaders and leaders around the world. Pray for our troops and their families. Our prayers make a difference.

3. Trust God. Spend time in the Word and reinforce for yourself His eternal truths.

4. Take time each day to do something nice for someone else and for yourself.

5. Remember as Christians, this is not our home. This is a temporary place for us. God has us here for a purpose and that purpose does not include living in fear. Keep your head up and see what blessings that He has for you each day.

C.F. “Kim” Kimberling, Ph.D.

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