Chaplain: Faith is a powerful way to face anxiety
Faith is a powerful way to face anxiety
There are many references to anxiety in the Bible that helps to understand this disease.
And what we can do to help manage it when it happens in our everyday lives.
First of all: What is anxiety?
Anxiety as explained in the dictionary is a feeling of worry, nervousness or unease about an event or circumstance that has an uncertain outcome. Anxiety is normal in stressful situations such as pubic specking or taking a test. It is usually an indicator of a disease when feelings become all ensuing or interfere with our daily lives.
There are many events in our daily lives that may cause us to worry more about things more than we should, but it is human nature to want things to run smoothly and not to have complications along the way.
It can be that we are feeling alone, depressed, rejected or worried about a financial situation, health situation or a personal conflict that we just do not know the answer or outcome of it.
The old saying goes: There are two things that are certain in life — death and taxes. This may be true, but I believe that there is a third and most important thing in all of our lives that is for certain, and we can always count on and that being our faith and trust in our God.
It says in the Bible: “Do not be anxious in anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God, and the peace that transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds.”
We need to remember that even when things become overwhelming and there seems to be no end in sight. Slow down, take a deep breath and say a prayer to God asking him to help you through whatever the problem is that you are facing. God has said that we are his children and he will never leave or forsake us.
God is always there and always hears our prayers and concerns no matter how small we think they are. God created all men in his image and we are all as important to him as anyone else- We are all equals in his eyes and loves us no matter what we have going on in our lives.
So, in time of need, take a minute to stop, slow down and say a prayer thanking him for all the gifts he has bestowed on us and cast all of your concerns on him.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in me you will have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”
Some dates to remember in the month of March are:
March 1: Employee Appreciation Day and World Day of Prayer
March 3: Caregiver Appreciation Day and National Anthem Day
March 4: Hug a G.I. Day
March 10: Daylight Savings begins
March 10: First Day of Ramadan
March 15: American Legion Birthday
March 15: Ides of March
March 17: St. Patrick’s Day
March 21: National Rosie the Riveter Day
March 23: Purim
March 24: Palm Sunday
March 28: Maundy Thursday
March 29: Good Friday
March 29: Vietnam War Veterans Day
March 31: Easter Sunday
March 31: National Crayon Day (this day has played a role in the crayon joke among veterans)
Note: Feast of the Annunciation normally falls on March 25, but because that is Holy Week this year, it takes place April 8.
Dean Knutson of Ashby Post 357 is the chaplain for The American Legion Department of Minnesota.