A few weeks ago there was an amazing sound coming from the sky above me. The Blue Angels were in our area for the weekend and excitement was in the air. We as people love a thrill don’t we? I stopped in my yard to watch them. It completely blows my mind how in sync they are. I mean river dancers are in sync but their life does not hang in the balance every time they go to perform! Although, I do admire a good river dance! The pilots have to be on their very best game. Their lives depend on it. One wrong move, or a few seconds off, well I cringe at the very thought. It actually caused me a bit of anxiety at some moments just watching them. In order to perform, they have to really pay attention. They cannot slack off, zone out or only put half their heart into their flying.
I was thinking what if we took our faith that way? What if every single day of our life we were on our best game or at least strived to be? What would that look like? How could that shape and form those immediately around us? What if we paid that kind of attention to our spouses, our kids, our coworkers? How would that affect them? We spend so much time worrying or having anxiety about things we can’t do anything about. We do not take care of or do our best with what we have right there beside us. There was a time when my head was not in the game of life, real life. I was too busy worrying and fretting over all that was around me. Proverbs 12:25 says “Anxiety in the heart of a man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.” I have never been one to struggle with depression however in looking back I know I was. To this very day, I have big chunks of time and major life events that I cannot recall. Even looking at pictures does not stir my memory in some cases. I have later learned that was my bodies coping mechanism working. I know it was even God’s grace.
Anxiety is a robber. It robs you of faith, hope and grace for yourself and others. Anxiety often breeds additional anxiety. Trust me when I say, this it is not something I have overcome. I allow it to creep in far too often in my life. I am trying to recognize it though and give it over to God. In all honesty, I rarely have the power to change anything I am having anxiety over. At least the big things in life that really matter. Sometimes, I have anxiety over a dirty car, a project I have not finished or commitment I made. Those types of anxiety I do have control over or I caused them myself. I am specifically talking about the big things, a terminally ill family member or friend. If the sky will fall next week, or if California will drop off into the ocean. I think you get the idea. Our big anxieties are ours and may look different for each of us. God wants us to have peace. Jeremiah 17:7 says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.” Trust God to take care of things. I know when I look back at certain times in my life even the not so great times I mentioned above, I see how God had things all under control. Perhaps I did not need to miss some of the good moments in my own life, however, God’s grace steps in where we are weak. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
I challenge you to keep your focus, be on your best game, try not to slack off or zone out on the anxieties around you. Just like the Blue Angels it takes a lot of practice. Every day is a new day. First thing in the morning tell God that you want to let him take control so you can go about doing what you are really supposed to do. Whatever God has for you from being a rocket scientist to stay at home mommy. Be the very best you can be. Don’t ever be satisfied with so-so. The God that created the whole universe, that forms babies in a mother’s womb and put something even the tiniest little birdie brains to teach them to care for themselves, has you too!
Until next time… 
robynstroup 
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