What to Remember When You’re Anxious about the Road Ahead

Inside: We don’t need to fear what comes next—even if we think it might be difficult and perhaps even heartbreaking—because God is with us.~

Years ago, I had a bad dream.

I was in my childhood home—a turn-of-the-20th-century, three-story farmhouse on three acres. It was Sunday morning and I had to be at church by 9. A storm was brewing.

Suddenly, the storm escalated. Flood waters rose and the house—which is nowhere near a lake or river—was surrounded by water that climbed almost as high as the first-floor kitchen window.

I remember thinking, I have to get to church, and then, as the flood waters rose, I can’t go, it’s too dangerous.

I remember wondering, Will the house stand—is it solid enough to withstand the power of the water?

I continued sleeping, but that’s where my recollection ended.

Real Concerns

When morning came and I actually was getting ready for church, a song came on the radio that mentioned floods. Hearing the words brought my dream back in a rush, along with thoughts of a very real, very current situation that was causing me to feel weighed down, anxious and ill-equipped for the road ahead.

As I listened, my mind wandered back to another time in my life when I felt much the same way—inadequate, unprepared and unsure of myself.

During this particular season of parenting, my feelings mostly stemmed from what was going on inside me rather than what was happening with the child involved. There were times when I felt like I was drowning in a desert—simultaneously flooded and completely dried out.

It was overwhelming, to say the least.

In Retrospect

Now I can look back at that season and see how God sustained me and brought me through it. I see what I learned from my girl as she operated in the delightful way God made her. And how my life is better so much better for it.

It was all for a purpose—I see that now. Not through a glass darkly, as the scriptures say, but clearly.

This calmed my heart as I pondered my circumstances the morning after my bad dream. So did the theology I still cling to all these years later when circumstances overwhelm my mind and emotions constrict my heart.

Comforting Theology

Our sovereign God goes before us, every step of the way. He will never leave us or forsake us. He gently guides us, equips us and builds our faith for whatever lurks on the road in front of us.

He gives us what we need—wisdom, patience, peace, comfort, love—sometimes even before we think to ask.

We might be weak, but He is strength personified.

We may feel as if we are drowning—we may actually be sinking in the waves—but He is always there to pull us to safety.

We don’t need to fear what lies ahead—even if we have every reason to think it might be difficult and perhaps even heartbreaking—because He is with us.

Foundational Truths

These are not clichés, cobbled together with a haunting melody by some guitar-strumming guy on a worship video. They are foundational truths of the Christian faith—truths that stand firm when we are being battered about by wind and waves, floods and fires, disease and daily life.

They hold up.

Because of that, we are held up—and carried through to the other side.

• • •

On the third Tuesday of each month, I send out a subscriber-only email newsletter called Courage, Dear Heart. If you haven’t signed up for the newsletter yet, I’d love for you to do so here:

Click Here to Subscribe

As my way of saying thanks, you’ll receive a free copy of my 7-day devotional, Faith, Fear, and the God Who Goes Before Us.

If you fill out the subscription form and don’t receive anything in your inbox, check your junk or spam folder for the confirmation email. And be sure to add the newsletter’s email address to your safe list so you don’t miss anything else.

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.