Reset Your Stress Response With Scriptureনমুনা

Reset from Anxiety

The airplane shook. I tried to unclench my jaw, relaxing my grip on the armrests, taking deep breaths in through my nose. My foundation rumbled again, and the fasten seat belt light popped on. The pilot’s voice informed us that we were “hitting some bumps,” and to remain seated with our seat belts buckled.

I glanced to my left, noticing that all the other passengers on the flight seemed unbothered. Most of them were absorbed in their devices, or they were sleeping. (I wish.)

I was flying alone and ready to see my family. The inconvenience of turbulence gave me no comfort. The fact that I couldn’t see a reason for it didn’t help either. It appeared to come out of nowhere, with no warning, and that worried me.

I looked to my right, out the window. Clear skies, no clouds. Where are the bumps coming from? Why is the plane shaking? Is something wrong with the plane? Anxious thoughts flooded my brain, my amygdala’s panic button overriding my logical reasoning abilities.

I don’t like surprises, especially when they don’t come with a birthday cake. Unfortunately, life is packed with uncomfortable surprises—turbulence—that shake my foundation and bring up anxiety. As much as I want to pray and remind myself that God is in control, sometimes the words aren’t there.

In John 16, Jesus reminds us that turbulence is part of the human experience: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (verse 33).

Jesus showed up in human form to advocate for us, to be a visible manifestation of God’s love to a weary world. No matter how hard we hold on to the armrests, the airplane of life carries us into seasons of turbulent interruptions, often unexpectedly and without warning.

Even Jesus’ birth came with its own set of turbulent interruptions. Imagine the anxiety the shepherds must’ve experienced when the entire night sky lit up with the glory of the Lord. This was long before CGI and holographic performances. There wasn’t even electricity. Nighttime was a lot darker than what most modern humans experience.

But this angelic appearance, as anxiety-inducing as it was, brought the shepherds a life-altering message. It brought the shepherds a reminder that even in surprise interruptions, there is hope. God is always working behind the scenes, restoring our seemingly shaky foundation.

What feels shaky and turbulent for you right now? Where do you need to be reminded that Jesus came to overcome the world? May the words of Scripture soothe your mind and body with reminders of God’s nearness, even in times of turbulent interruptions.

Though I wonder if it might be clearer to say something like: My anxiety spiked further as the fasten seat belt light popped on ?