When Panic Gives Way To Peace
It all started with Ann Voskamp, 1000 gifts and a journal. Now it’s a song, one I force myself to sing when I wake to the cacophony of demands in my life. Anxiety is a summons to panic and pain, where as gratitude, is an invitation to provision and peace. Iv’e heard again and again over the last few years, the brain cannot be anxious and grateful at the same time. Morning gratitude positions me in perspective before one foot is placed on the floor and the first “mama” is uttered. First, I ask for a song. The Spirit, my Comforter and Counselor, always extends a tune from His perfect knowledge of me. He knows what I need. This is what He gave me today:
“ Jesus we love you. Oh how we love. You are the one our hearts adore.”
I found this song on spotify and let the words wash over me, fill me and then tumble out of me. The words built a ramp on which to begin the day- the truth that no matter what happens, I have One, (and only One) to whom all of my affection can run to, be eagerly received by, and perfectly reciprocated.
Then I open my eyes and look at the gallery wall in front of me- beautiful framed pictures of meadow, flowers, mountain and stream. I am captivated by beauty, by creation and the Creator and gratitude fills me like a pitcher of water. I tip and pour-
“Thank you God for the beauty of the earth. Thank you that I am fearfully and wonderfully made though I struggle to even know what that means. Thank you for this bed, these white cotton sheets and this safe home. Thank you for the five children who sleep upstairs, for everything that makes them uniquely precious and that which makes them needy for Your sufficient grace. Thank you for the dog who drives us crazy and loves unconditionally and for the coffee waiting to be brewed and the last bit of creamer in the fridge. Thank you for the man lying next to me and everything that causes us to argue and to come repeatedly, humbly to you. Thank you for the beautiful gift of autism to this family and the ways our son is teaching us to search for hidden truths, to love mystery and the gracious art of patience and understanding. Thank you for the manna that is already lying in wait and for the bread of life that begs to be consumed on my night stand. Thank you for feet that walk and hands that move and for every hard and holy place in my life that waits expectantly for You. Thank you for this new day, come rain or come shine, and that I do not face it alone. Thank you for the food in my kitchen, the clean water in my faucets and shower and for the laughs and tears that will flow from me today. Thank you that I’ve been made me with the capacity to feel and heal and that you gaze upon me this morning, and every morning, with delight. In this place of gratitude fill me with love, joy, peace and every sacred fruit to feast on and to extend to others today.”
Now I’m ready. Ready to pull back the covers, to hold the hand of Jesus and to step onto the uncertain floor of circumstance. I don’t know what the day holds, but I know the One who holds me.
Are you living in a season where panic accompanies you into sleep and into waking? Are you consumed with worry and doubt? Is the fog so thick that you can’t even begin to see the path before you? Ask for a song! Ask the all-knowing spirit, to usher you into the peace only He has access to. Listen to the words, sing them, even if they feel untrue. Let gratitude open your eyes to the treasure you already have and the treasure soon to be enjoyed.
