Devotional

Some may say that “comparison is the thief of joy,” but I say that anxiety isn’t too far behind. In addition to current events and stressors in my personal life, there is no shortage of triggers for my anxious mind, especially with the internet so readily available at our fingertips. I’ve battled severe anxiety for a large portion of my life, and I must admit that, sometimes, it can be crippling and has caused me to second-guess the gifts that God blessed me with.

What physical sensation do you experience when you worry about something? Is it a sinking feeling in your stomach, or maybe heaviness on your chest? Perhaps it’s jitters in your arms and legs, or tension in your neck and shoulders. Regardless, each of us feels anxious at times, some of us even chronically so. Whether you struggle with anxiety on a clinically diagnosed level or just when stressful situations arise, Jesus understands that worry is both common and exhausting.

I have always been a goal-oriented person. To-do lists often crowd my phone and post-it notes accumulate throughout my home. There is a specific joy and sense of accomplishment that comes with crossing items off my list. I love feeling like I am building an organized life with few mishaps or surprises.

I am currently training for a marathon. I know, I also question myself for willingly choosing to run 26.2 miles. The marathon isn’t until October so there is still a lot of running left to do – oh joy. Already, God has been teaching me about discipline and the limited capacity I have as a human. I have the same amount of time in my day as I used to, but now I have to add going for a run. And warming up. And cooling down. It all adds up and takes time out of my day, meaning I have to sacrifice something.