Step 2: We came to believe that a power greater than outselves could
restore use to sanity.

February 19

Scripture reading for today: Acts 18 – 19

“I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.” (Mark Twain)

Anxiety disorders afflict about 19 million Americans. Anxiety is a prevailing emotion - unlike fear, which is a spurt of emotion that disappears as soon as the threat is neutralized. Anxiety is a feeling that lingers – a sense of dis-ease, unrest, “a-something-is-not-quite-right attitude”.

Anxiety has been associated with a variety of physical ailments including: cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, headaches, skin disorders, decreased immune responses – to name a few.

Some anxiety disorders are more dangerous to the body than others. The most harmful are those that create a release of stress hormones that just keep pumping into our bodies (more on why this is bad in another devotional).

The body cannot distinguish “real” from “perceived” stress. For example, if a young child witnesses a murder on a tv show, and it freaks them out, the body reacts with the same stress response as if they had seen a murder. (That’s what the guy in the book said; I don’t make this stuff up!)

Sometimes worry becomes a habit. This habit can literally become addicting. Some people get addicted to adrenalin. Calm feels weird to a crisis junky.

It’s not just a myth – you can be scared literally to death. Consider the story of Ananias and Sapphira. Desiring social prestige and recognition for their giving at church, they pretended to give the total sum of their possessions to the church. (This was a common practice at this time because new believers were being ostracized from the community at large; pooling resources enabled them to survive.)

Both Ananias and Sapphira experienced sudden death, probably due to an arrhythmia or heart attack brought on by sheer panic. Can you relate? These two felt totally exposed and probably expected public humiliation. They were hoping for applause but now fully expected rejection. Taking step two begins the process of setting aside all those things we fear, one little piece at the time. We do this because we are “coming to believe” that God can do the impossible. I pray that today you will begin to move toward the peace of mind that trusting in God can bring.

Thought for today : Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 NIV  

Thought for tomorrow: If you really want something to worry about – hear this: high anxiety people are risking their physical health. It can kill you. But know this too – Jesus says that with him, you can expect to find rest. Sure, He says, you’re going to have to learn from Him how to rest. “Coming to believe” from Jesus’ perspective results in a lightening of burdens – not piling on!

February 19
Teresa McBean

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