Blue Umbrella Official Blue Umbrella December 2019 | Page 9

O cean s o f C o u r age:
Conquering Anxiety
W ith Encouragement
By Emily S.
Anxiety is a very real struggle. Courage
doesn?t mean you aren?t ever afraid. Courage
means you don?t let the fear stop you. But that
does not mean that it is impossible to
overcome anxiety in the moment.
To those that struggle with anxiety,
know that you have courage. An ocean of it.
And tears are the result of courage. You
wouldn't cry if you didn't put yourself out there
to get hurt. I know that there are times when
tears feel like the result of weakness. But
they're not. They represent strength, beautiful
diamonds. How are diamonds made? Under
pressure. In pain. In Isaiah 43:1-2, Isaiah
writes about walking through the fire and deep
waters, but not having fear because of the
knowledge that God is near at hand.
So, to anyone out there that needs it
today, have courage. And when you taste the
salt of your ocean of courage in your tears,
know that you're not alone. Know that God
holds you. Psalm 27:14 states, ?Hope in the
Lord! Be strong! Let your heart take courage!
Hope in the Lord!? Know that I stand in unity
and solidarity with you. Know that there are
people who care. Really care. And they are
the people who reach out and make sure that
you're ok, the people who say, "I'm right here.
For whatever you need," the people who hold
you when you cry, the people who go find you
and just rest their hand over yours. Sometimes
they don't even need to say anything. But
these people are the people you will love and
cherish for the rest of your life.
And if you have a friend who you're
worried about for any reason, reach out. A
simple hello has brightened up so many dark
days. In Jesus?s darkest night, when he prayed
in the Garden of Gethsemane, He took His
closest friends with Him. Because he needed
that companionship, that community, that
reassurance. Sometimes, when you reach out
to your friends, they'll say they're good.
Sometimes they'll open up. Sometimes all
they'll be able to manage is "Pray for me
please." But no matter what they say, let me
encourage you as a person who has been
helped and is being helped through rough
times by people, it means a ton. Just your
hello, just knowing that there is someone who
cares for us before we have to ask means the
world to many who need it.
?I can endure all these things through the
power of the one who gives me strength.?
- Philippians 4:13
?Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you.
I give to you not as the world gives. Don?t be
troubled or afraid.? - John 14:27
?Don?t be afraid or terrified. Be brave and
strong,? - Joshua 10:25a
?I am the Lord your God, who grasps your
strong hand, who says to you, don?t fear, I will
help you.? - Isaiah 41:13
(All Scripture quotations taken from CEB
version)