In Ann Voskamp’s book One Thousand Gifts she writes, “Take the pain that is given, give thanks for it, and transform it into a joy that fulfills all emptiness… The hard discipline to lean into the ugly and whisper thanks to transfigure it into beauty. The hard discipline to give thanks for all things at all times because He is good…All is grace only because all can transfigure.” To give thanks for all things, even in the midst of anxiety, is a hard discipline.
Releasing the Anxiety
In this way it is not the running from, but the acceptance of, that seems to usher in change. It is the acceptance of my reality as it is and offering it back to God with thanksgiving. You see, right after we are told that suffering produces character and character hope (Romans 5:3-5), we are told that hope doesn’t disappoint. Why doesn’t hope disappoint? Because our powerful and merciful God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Did you hear that? It’s His love in our hearts that enables us. In Philippians, after we are implored to rejoice in the Lord always, scripture tells us that the Lord is near (Phil. 4: 4-5). He is right there. Yes, God is there in the midst of your anxiety. He is there in your storm. And He will enable you to find the hope that does not disappoint.
Days before the disciples were in the boat, wrapped up in the fear of the storm, Jesus invited them to let the Father, who knows their every need, love and care for them. Even comparing himself to an earthly father who lavishes his love on his children only to say, “Will I not love you abundantly more than this?” (Matt. 7:11) But we must let go of the fear in order to receive His love. So, the Father asks us to give thanks to Him in all circumstances. Why? It is this act of surrender that allows us to release the fear, the worry, and the control from our white knuckles back into His hand. Through this He can take all things, including your anxiety, and create them into something new. The promise of Philippians 4:7 is that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
It’s like those Chinese finger trap toys. Everyone knows the harder you pull to release it from the death grip it has on your fingers the tighter it gets. You must let go to find release. Ann said it well… lean into the ugly and whisper thanks to transfigure it into beauty.
The release isn’t easy. It is contradictory to us. In the pain, when the anxiety rises, we recoil. We do our best to get away.
Instead, run right to the Father. Rejoice that He can transfigure all things.
How? Use the body of Christ as a way to run to the Father. Share your story with another. Reach out for help to your pastor, doctor, or to a counselor. Spend time before the Father asking him if there’s anything you need to give thanks for in the storm. Write it out. Read a book on it.
What would it look like for you to rejoice in the Father in spite of your struggle today? At Renew, our counselors can encourage you as you seek to lean into the Father and rejoice in the midst of your anxiety and fear. Why don’t you reach out today? Call Renew at (602) 633-4032 to talk with a professional.
Voskamp, A. (2010) One Thousand Gifts. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.
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