Wave of Anxiety: Navigating Life's Challenges

When waves of anxiety come, I need to dive into the providence of God. To feel held, known and loved.

This summer, here in new Zealand, I have been going for swims most days.

I have a beach quite near to where I live and it’s a safe beach to swim at.

Little Waiti Bay is a beautiful place to cool off on a hot summer’s day.

But I know for some, even the thought of a swim in flat conditions such as in the video might trigger some anxiety.

Last Friday, I went around to the bay for a swim.

It wasn’t flat, but actually, it was choppy. Regardless, I went in.

It wasn’t long before some very large waves rolled in.

Big ones unusual for this little bay.

I stood there and watched a wave coming towards me.

Decision time.

Do I ride the wave and let it take me away or do I dive into it and let it pass over?

I decided to try to body surf it.

So I turned around and started to swim away from it.

It grabbed me and launched me onto the beach. I got up laughing and full of joy.

I ran back for more.

After a couple more of ‘grey-haired man embarrassing himself in surf’ moments, I decided to dive in and through them.

The next big wave came. I saw it, and before it had a chance to throw me, I dove into the water and felt the surge of energy pass over me.

I stood up and felt the water moving and cycling around me.

Have you ever experienced waves of anxiety?

Waves of anxiety can start very small.

It could be a small trigger that sets the wave going.

Very fast. Almost immediate and sudden. The body is in reaction mode. Fight/ flight.

Another wave of anxiety might be the slow buildup.

You can see it coming. You have time, but it’s growing.

The body grows in its anxiety, worry, and fear.

You’ve had these anxious waves appear so many times that you’re now on the lookout at all times for a wave, even a small one.

The brain takes shape from what the mind rests upon, so now your brain is wired to look for waves.

We look at every wave, wondering if it will smash us into the rocks.

A ripple becomes a tsunami in our the wiring of the brain.

Held in something larger

Most days that I have swum, it’s been calm and quiet. I have felt the quiet gentle movement of the current. The gentle pull of the tide coming in or going out.

I have bobbed up and down with the rise of waves.

I have been held by the saltiness of the water.

Floating I am encompassed by something much larger than myself. I am part of the flow.

Waves come. Waves go.

Life is full of waves. Things happen in our daily walk that might catch us by surprise. Ripples, waves, and tsunamis.

I now take a quiet, deep breath and dive into them. Let the energy of them pass around and over me.

I am with you

As I dive through the waves and into the very substance that might cause me harm, I hear what Spirit says.

‘I am with you’

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.

For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. Isaiah 43:1-3

Providential care

I have recently been listening to the Audiobook version of the biography of William Wilberforce by William Hague.

Wilberforce was a British member of Parliament who was instrumental in the abolition of slavery in 1807.

Wilberforce believed in the role of providence.

Providence – the protective care of God as a spiritual power.

That God’s hand could be detected in events great and small.

‘How I abhor that word fortunate. As if anything happens by chance.’ William Wilberforce

It’s not luck, it’s not being more fortunate or less fortunate. It’s not things happening by chance. It’s providence.

Looking for a bible story that carries this theme of providental care we look to the story of Queen Esther and coming to her royal position for ‘such a time as this?’ when a Tsunami of destruction was to come upon the Jewish people.

You have your waves

You have your waves; I have mine.

What’s your immediate response to something that panics you?

For me, now, after facing many waves, I want to dive and swim through them.

They can contain so much energy that can frighten me and drag me away, helpless.

But I can make a choice to see them, note them, and then dive below and through them.

‘I see you fear.’

A quiet, gentle breath is taken.

I ask God to take me through it.

Swim with me through the water.

Pass through the waters with me
In the rivers don’t let me be overwhelmed.

‘Help me see the evidence of providential care. ‘

I take note of providence.

I write it down

I train my brain to a providential way of thinking.

It’s not by chance, or luck, or even hard work. It’s by listening intuitively to God providing me ways in and out and through.

All shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well. Julian of Norwich

Poem

I dive in

I’m in the ocean
Salt water floating me
Bobbing up and down
Current flowing free

Water touches skin
Hidden underneath
What will happen?
Sacred mystery

Waves come toward me
Waves tall beyond my reach
Waves take me to another place
Wave lessons do teach

I merge with the wave
It consumes and takes me there
I rise from sandy place
Sand grit minced in grey hair

Joy and laughter
Fun and childhood glee
Erupts from somewhere deep within
Joy and gladness see

I dive into the next wave
Water energy swirls on skin
Flow around and over me
Presence held within

Providential God
Holds me through the wave
‘I am with you’ whispered verse
‘Swim with me to save’

I see the waves
Familiar anxiety forms
I will dive in and through
Energy flows around my core

I am teaching my brain a new thing
To swim instead of drown
To dive into God’s presenting love
In providential hands I am found

Questions?

Comments?

Email me 🙂📨 barry@turningthepage.co.nz

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Quotes to consider

As in nature, so in grace. What comes very quickly forward rarely abides long. Those who believe must not make haste, but be content to go God’s pace and watch the leadings of his providence. John Thornton – advice to William Wilberforce
Providence is wiser than you, and you may be confident it has suited all things better to your eternal good than you could do had you been left to your own option. John Flavel, The Mystery of Providence
“It would much conduce to the settlement of your heart, to consider that by fretting and discontent you do yourself more injury than all your afflictions could do. Your own discontent is that which arms your troubles with a sting; you make your burden heavy by struggling under it. Did you but lie quietly under the hand of God, your condition would be much more easy than it is.” John Flavel, Keeping the Heart
“Providence is like a curious piece of tapestry made of a thousand shreds, which, single, appear useless, but put together, they represent a beautiful history to the eye.” John Flavel, Keeping the Heart
The Providence of God is like Hebrew words – it can be read only backwards. John Flavel
If we were to understand how dear we are to God, our relation to Him, our value in His eyes, and how He protects us by His faithful promises and gracious presence, we would not tremble at every appearance of danger.” John Flavel, Triumphing Over Sinful Fear
One word of God can do more than ten thousand words of men to relieve a distressed soul. John Flavel, The Mystery of Providence
Two things destroy the peace and tranquility of our lives; our bewailing past disappointments, or fearing future ones. John Flavel, The Mystery of Providence
Every man loves the mercies of God, but a saint loves the God of his mercies. The mercies of God, as they are the fuel of a wicked man’s lusts, so they are fuel to maintain a good man’s love to God; not that their love to God is grounded upon these external benefits. John Flavel, The Mystery of Providence
That which begins not with prayer, seldom winds up with comfort. John Flavel, The Mystery of Providence

Questions to answer

When a wave of anxiety begins to form what is your first response? What comes most naturally to you?
What verses of scripture help you with anxiety?
17th century Puritan Presbyterian minister John Flavel writes ‘Two things destroy the peace and tranquility of our lives; our bewailing past disappointments, or fearing future ones.” Which one has more of a magnetic pull to it for you?

Formation exercise

At the end of the day for the next week write down ten ways you have experienced the providential hand of God. Include simple things such as the taste of an apple, the smile on someone’s face, a greeting by a stranger.