Don’t Be Anxious

One of the fallouts of covid, though much less serious than some, is that our dogs have grown accustomed to our “stay in place” advisory.  At least, this is the case with Marley and me!  We have spent so much time together in the past months that now, when I leave, there is some separation anxiety.  Though Marley is not a “barker”, she has now started barking when I leave.  Though Marley will voluntarily head to her crate when she sees me putting on my makeup or jewelry and knowing that I’m getting ready to leave, she now reluctantly heads that way, if at all. 

My good friend, Debbie, gave me a product to try called “Adaptil”, which is touted as a “non-drug solution to comfort and relax your dog”.  It seems to make a difference, and I’m grateful.  It made me think about what comforts and relaxes me when I am anxious about something in my life.  The Bible is full of scripture that can sustain us when we hit those rough patches.  God longs for and delights in us when our hearts turn to Him first.  I Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you”.   

Sometimes when necessary, it is certainly okay to take medication for our anxious moments or to relax at night in order to sleep, but giving our worries to God is so much better.  In Matthew 11:28–30, it says, “Come unto Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”   I love the analogy of the “yoke”.  Picture two oxen linked together with the farmer’s heavy yoke.  They must work in sync when yoked together.  It is the same with us.  We need to sync our hearts with God and He will give us the peace and rest we so desire.

God says in Psalm 55:22, “Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you.  He will not permit the godly to slip and fall”.  Psalm 62:2, “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken”.  John 14:1, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, and trust also in me”.   John 16:33, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me.  Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world”.

In addition, there are times when we need to seek counsel from our godly friends, and the Bible affirms this, too.  Proverbs 12:15, “Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others”.  Proverbs 25:11, “Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver tray”.  Sometimes the cares of our lives cause us to lose sight of what is really important; we focus too much on ourselves.  “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing”.  James 1:2-4

Lord, thank You for Your precious word that draws me close to You.  Thank You for the peace that comes when I trust You with the pressures in my life.  “You, alone are my rock and my salvation; my fortress where I will never be shaken”.  (Psalm 62:2)