Grace to Grow: Release Anxiety and Find PurposeSample

## Faith is Rising Abbey and Emma announced, “Evan’s awake!” as they twirled into the nursery. I stumbled behind with coffee in hand. My four-month-old son flashed his usual grin, but as we cooed back, his happy face faded. Evan’s eyes glazed over, shifted to the side, and rolled backward. His limbs drew in tightly as his tiny body began jerking in convulsions. “Hurry, get my phone,” I said to Abbey. Shaking hands made it difficult for my fingers to find 911. “My son is having a seizure! His face is turning blue!” I fought to keep control when I wanted to scream in terror. Quick calming questions came through the phone. Evan’s clenched fists finally released as his body began to relax. The three-minute seizure felt like an eternity. I grabbed my baby and clutched him to my chest as we watched the ambulance arrive from the nursery window. I wish I could say that was the worst day of my life, but that one day stretched into thirty. Evan continued to seize when waking from sleep. The atmosphere of our home became tense and pressurized. I grasped for hope, strength, and sanity. In one month, Evan had more than seventy seizures. One Sunday, Evan and I were alone while my husband, BJ, and the girls went to church. Worship music played on repeat as a constant prayer in my heart. Evan had fallen asleep in my lap, and I was afraid to move and potentially wake him. As he drifted out of his sleep, I recognized the signs of another seizure. I wanted to cry. Scream. Mourn. As the song played through the air, I grasped for one more straw of strength. And I worshiped. While holding my son’s seizing body I raised heavy hands in honor to the Lord. I lifted my voice and sang to him with the last bit of courage I could find. My song rang out, “Emmanuel, you’re God with me. My Comforter, very present help when eyes can’t see.” In my lowest moment, God’s presence washed over my shattered heart. It wasn’t long after this worshiping that the gentle words of God resonated within me. Your son is going to be fine. Encouragement swept through my soul. I gripped onto that promise like a life preserver. When fear fractured my thoughts, I declared to myself, No, my son is going to be fine. I pulled truth from Scripture and prayed it over my family. Faith developed within as God demonstrated his faithfulness. Years later, when fear whispers false promises over my son, I still cling to the words the Lord spoke long ago. That tiny baby is now an active kid. And Evan has been seizure-free for many years. God’s presence and promises still hold me firm on days when my thoughts are unsettled. If anxiety comes calling today, I encourage you to lift up words of worship to God. Consider declaring truth from Scripture out loud over your situation. Listen for the Lord’s gentle encouragement. His peace confronts the chaos. Pause to Reflect * When fear strikes, counter back by proclaiming God’s goodness. * Redirect anxious thoughts to the truth of Scripture. * Faith is promoted by applying God’s promises. Pause to Pray Lord, when anxiety invades my thoughts, help me cling to your words. I ask you to speak encouragement to my heart. I believe that the promises of Scripture are for me. Father, fear is a liar, and I want no part of it. Increase my faith as I trust in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.