STORIES OF HOPE

 

MAY 9, 2023

Job 11:17–19

“And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security. “

 

One of the strategies for coping with Anxiety is to develop grounding techniques. Grounding techniques are strategies that can help a person manage their moments of intense anxiety that are triggered by memories or strong emotional experiences. Examples include breathing exercises and focusing on the five senses. For Example: 

·         Acknowledge FIVE things you see around you. 

·         Acknowledge FOUR things you can touch around        you. 

·         Acknowledge THREE things you hear. 

·         Acknowledge TWO things you can smell.

·         Acknowledge ONE thing you can taste.

 

As someone who knows anxiety episodes, I have found these breathing and focus exercises very helpful. Yet, the one practice that I found grounded me and helped me step away from negative thoughts and memories the most  was the Bible.

Often, we think we are alone in our suffering. I believe we know that not to be true, that the reality is the opposite. We are not the only ones. Still there is a loneliness attached to mental suffering, anxiety and fear.

The Bible helps us remember that Christ shares in our suffering, I believe Psalm 23, and the Easter stories bear this out for us. The Bible also reveals to us the many people in Scripture who suffered strong anxiety, overwhelming fear and even what we call today depression. These women and men of scripture persevered, even in dark moments. Their faith carried them when their strength could not. I have found their stories comforting, and today I have selected several of them to offer you hope.

Pick a couple of these passages to read today, asking God before you begin to read, to reveal his promise and hope to you through these “Ancient Words.”

** Click the colored text below**

·         Martha (Luke 10:40-42)

·         Jesus (John 11:32-35)

·         Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:46-48)

·         Jesus (Matthew 26:36-46)

·         Peter (Matthew 26:70-75)

·         Servant of the Prophet Elisha (2 Kings 6:11-17)

·         Jonah (Jonah 4)

·         Job (Job 3:2-11)

·         Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:15-18)

·         Nehemiah (Nehemiah 2:1-3)

·         King David (2 Samuel 19:1)

·         Elijah (1 Kings 19:3-4)

·        Mordecai and Esther (Esther 4:1-4)

·        Naomi and Ruth (Ruth 1:8-17)