A-Z BLOGGING CHALLENGE

The A-Z Blogging Challenge has officially begun! If you're wondering what that is, please check out this website: a-to-zchallenge.com
Here's the first one! How exciting!

ANXIETY

The dictionary says that anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

I used to struggle a lot with anxiety. When things didn't go the way I thought they were supposed to, I stressed out. That's not to say I wanted everything to go my way. I just wanted things to be certain, you know, constant.

Anxiety can come before an exam, or school photos, or as your parents stare critically at your latest report card. It can come when you see a bully, or the friend you've just had a massive fight with, or the person you really, really like but just don't know how to talk to.

It can be a natural feeling, like being happy or sad. But it can also ruin you, make you weak, make you stop believing in yourself. That's when you need to start worrying ... being anxious about your anxiety.

Hm, get your head around that!

The dictionary also says that anxiety is a desire to do something, typically accompanied by unease.

Did you hear that? Or read that? A desire to do something. Anxiety can stop you from doing what you so desperately want to do. It can stop you from speaking up, giving your opinion and, most importantly, being the person Jesus wants you to be. I mean, He sacrificed himself so that you could be that person. Wouldn't it be horrible if anxiety stole that freedom from you?

And yet, the thing is, that freedom is still yours to take. Anxiety can only take it from you as long as you allow it to. The sooner you realise this, the better.

I mean, I asked God for courage and confidence for about three years before I realised it was mine. I'd received it. I just hadn't believed in it, in myself. I wanted it, but I didn't think I deserved it. I didn't think it was mine to take. I thought the anxiety couldn't be tamed, coudn't be fought.

I was wrong. It can be fought. With God, anything is possible! I just wish I could have known that from the start! At least I can share the story with others, in hope that they won't make the same mistakes I did, and that they'll trust God with their whole lives, report cards included.