In life we can’t prevent a blizzard or a winter storm from being encountered. They both bring freezing and dreary weather and we must adjust and prepare for both. One comes quickly to over power and consume while the latter has a longer duration intended to beat us down. Anxiety is similar which can approach us in either form but though we can’t control the nature of the storm or season we can predict the outcome. Anxieties job is to beat you down day after day with thoughts that give rise to feelings of despair and hopelessness. But embracing the winter moments can actually be your ticket to freedom. “When we deny ourselves the permission to feel, a list of unwanted outcomes ensues” according to Marc Brackett, Director of Yale University Center for Emotional Intelligence. He goes on to say how important it is to make our emotions work for us and to truly pay attention regarding how we feel. It’s like being exposed to freezing weather outside and refusing to wear a coat. Our body has a way of letting us know something is wrong and needs to be addressed. In other words your emotions indicate the direction your thoughts are going. Why is this important? The more you remain unprotected from the brutal winds of life decision making as well as strong relationships bonds will suffer. Below is a list of signs that can impair your view while navigating through a storm.
Common anxiety signs and symptoms include:(2)
- Feeling nervous, restless or tense
- Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
- Having an increased heart rate
- Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Feeling weak or tired
- Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
- Having trouble sleeping
- Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems
- Having difficulty controlling worry
- Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety
If we don’t prepare in advance and seek emotional shelter in our thinking the results can be catastrophic. We must confront the circumstance by strapping on our winter garments from our hat, hoodies, gloves, thermal underwear, coat and finally our boots. In nature animals don’t sit around wondering what will happen to them during the winter month’s, but begin to prepare for the harshness that approaches. For example, squirrels begin to collect nuts for the winter, Bears consume as much food (fish and berries) as they can to survive hibernation. “Each species handles the weather getting colder and the days getting shorter differently; some animals hibernate, some animals migrate, and some animals adapt to the climate around them.”(3)
How do you prepare for the winter month’s of anxiety? Does it become a season or a life style? Begin to examen how you react to the stresses you experience. For example do you find yourself hibernating when the pressure of life arrives to the point you want to burry yourself and hope that what you are dealing with will go away? Jesus challenges us, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest (Mathew 11:28). Don’t bury yourself in anxiety but let God know what you are going through. Exchange you worries for His peace. In other words what ever you despair over will always be there so learn to let it go and hand it over. This is the power of prayer, learn to share your pain because He longs to listen and give you rest. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, Philippians 4:6) Moments of hibernation is important, it’s what you do in those moments that will determine success or defeat.
Steps to spiritually hibernate:
- Pray– open up to God when anxiety arises and be honest how you feel. David was a great example of how he found refuge in desperate situations. David has been seized by the Philistines and he starts to become afraid, but instead he sets his vision on his Lord and Savior in his midst. He praises God and his word to him: “Fear not!” He puts his trust in the Lord… When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4, repeated in similar words in verses 10-11.)(4)
- Petition– Don’t be afraid of journaling or writing a list of what has been bringing anxiety or fear. The weather channel has been created to prepare you for the day. Neglecting it only creates uncertainty of what the day may bring. When you petition your worries before the Lord you are allowing yourself room to seek help from Him and others. God listens to his people all the time. “He hears their cry for help,” David tells us (Ps. 34:15b), he hears their petitions, and he understands their needs before they ask. The first step to freedom of anxiety or depression is not denial but to admit you are struggling and need help.
- Thanksgiving– Is the Key to override negative thoughts that cause anxiety. The pursuit of being thankful places binders to avoid the distractors of the storms that come our way.
The Bible talks a lot about gratitude. Paul says we should be:
“Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:20, NIV)
The Lord’s Winter Deposit: According to Ephesians 2:10, the Lord prepared our hearts and lives to reflect His nature by depositing good fruits to be displayed to the world. During the winter months people can become reclusive and protect themselves by remaining in survival mode, but God has called us to good works in order to share His love with others. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” When you put the needs of others above your needs healing tends to approach the heart when it is most needed. The kindness you show others becomes the spring flowers in your life as a result of the winter seed deposited today.
Our Heavenly Father has chosen to set a path in the snow for us so that stepping where He steps will show us the way. The evident in John 14:3, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” There is no storm that can overtake you and you don’t have to fear the cracking ice as you cross the sea of life below your feet, because the Lord will uphold you with His righteous hand (Isaiah 41:13). Each step of the journey you take Jesus is leading you home. Open the door of life and confront the blistering winds on your cheeks. Your destiny is set and each step you take will be secured, so there is no need to worry. There is no pandemic, famine, insecurity etc. that can snow all over you to inhibit your future from God’s ultimate purpose which is Eternal fellowship with Him.
Keep moving forward through the storm. It’s dangerous to stay in an environment that is negative. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” – (Philippians 4:8) What you choose to think about determines your outlook in life. You can either embrace thoughts that keep you warm and moving forward or thoughts that keep you in a negative frozen tundra. It’s important to “be positive. Your mind is more powerful than you think. What is down in the well comes up in the bucket. Fill yourself with positive things.” – (Tony Dungy). What ever you deposit is what withdraw in the way you think. Think negative and have negative outcomes, but if you think positive you can expect positive outcomes. Here are some tools to develop a positive outcome:
- Start your morning with extra time to reflect on your expectations of the day by praying or meditating.
- Read positive and comforting quotes or bible scriptures.
- Listen to messages while you drive or walk to build your spirit.
- Exercise or stretch for 10 minutes.
- Listen to soothing music or worship music.
- Have a gratitude journal and write 3 things you are grateful for.(Avoid repetitions).
- During work create pockets of time to reflect on God’s goodness and pray when you feel stressful moments.
- When facing a stressful event, take deep breaths before reacting and meditate on what is positive.
Reflect and Fuel
- How do you handle the emotional blizzards you face in life?
- What would you say is the place you find the most shelter through your emotional storms?
- What would be some examples that can help you guard your thoughts during difficult times?
- What tools do you feel would best help you through emotional blizzards that would cause anxiety?
2-https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961
3-https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wildlife-blog/winter-preparations-can-help-wildl
This truly blessed me. Thank you.
Thank you for your encouragement, it means so much.