Unshaken: 7 Days to Find Peace in the Middle of Anxietyنموونە

Coping or Connecting?

When anxious thoughts rise, we reach for relief. Maybe it’s scrolling, snacking, or sipping a glass of wine. Are you merely coping but truly needing authentic connection with God, yourself and others?

It’s easy to feel confused in the midst of so much marketing and messaging that alcohol is a stress reliever, but it never gives us the true rest we need. It’s just a Band-Aid; a temporary suspension of reality. True healing only comes through trust and connection with God and others. In my own life, I can see that having a clear, sober mind consistently provides what alcohol promises but cannot deliver.

Isaiah says our strength isn’t in striving, but rather found in stillness in returning to Him as our Source. We must let God be our anchor. Listen closely to the song lyrics “I Will Fear No More” by The Afters. My favorite line is, “Even though I’m in the storm, the storm is not in me.”

Next time you’re tempted to hit the “eject button” in your own life. Stay. Remain. Abide in Him. Reach out for connection because you’re not alone.

Prayer:
Father, I’m done with surface-level relief. Help me choose rest over numbing. Help me turn to You instead of escaping. You draw near to me when I’m brokenhearted, anxious and in desperate need of a firm foundation with a soft place to land. Thank you for being my solid rock.

Journal Prompt:
What do you tend to reach for when anxiety rises?

What would connection, not just coping, really look like instead?