Grow

It is hard to admit sometimes when we need help.  Sometimes, it is hard to admit that to ourselves.  One thing traveling around the US has taught me (yet again) is that with spiritual highs, come spiritual lows.  Getting to share time with people here has been great, sometimes just hanging out and chatting, sometimes with great discussions that dive deeper in the mission, faith, and the world in which we live.  

But in what I believe is an ongoing need for transparency and shining a light on a darkness that can otherwise be crippling, let's talk about anxiety and depression shall we?  

Have you ever shown up to work, only to look around you in confusion and a shortness of breath?  Have you ever felt like you are driving into a woods, seeing the trees all crowded together and you are racing into them so fast you can't focus?

---

I saw this painting in a house we were visiting recently.  It struck a chord with me.  No clue what the artist was thinking when creating it, but the more I looked at it, the more it reminded me of God's relationship with me.  

It is not a perfect analogy, but I saw that 5 gallon jug as an imperfect, empty, vessel.  From that, with no soil or water visible, comes green lush leaves.  

Sometimes I have to be reminded that while I sometimes feel about as useful as that empty jug, that God can bring forth something meaningful regardless, all the more glory given to Him, since it clearly would not be produced otherwise.  
​

There is a forest to wade into every day of our lives, of errands, spiritual errands, physical work...you name it, and all with their importance and calling out for our attention, whether we feel capable or able to perform them or not.  When that forest seems coming at us at great speed, all the more reason we should stop, pray, and try to just deal with walking around the first tree in front of us.  

My frustration, my paralyzing fear sometimes just to tackle the day, can come from many things, but ultimately...am I seeing myself and my relationship to God correctly?  Or am I just seeing a brown mass of thorns and branches, and trying to make that tree blossom from my empty jug without help from the Holy Spirit?  Not to trivialize this subject, and not that it is all just "fixed" from our point of view, but there are many a passage in the Bible that can help in those times, to regain proper focus and persevere, one that hit me today especially is one that is instructive and then tells you the why...I Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on Him...because He cares for you."