Guest post by Dominique Turner
You know what’s really annoying? Anxiety. There you are, minding your own business—and BOOM—anxiety pops up like an uninvited guest. It feels like thousands of thoughts swarming in your mind that can’t be turned off. I don’t know about you, but most of my anxiety stems from how I appear to others. I’m talking about everything from my appearance to my accomplishments. Is that you, too?
It wasn’t until I started going to counseling that I realized most of my anxious thoughts were due to the unnecessary pressure I was putting on myself. I was telling myself I had to look a certain way, or reach certain achievements in order to be accepted by others. I was viewing myself through my own lenses instead of God’s lenses.
Have you ever taken a step back to see yourself through God’s eyes? Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God’s masterpieces and He created us for a specific purpose. There aren’t words deep enough to describe the love God has for us or how He sees us. When we seek validation from people or through our accomplishments, we lose sight of or forget what God says about us. The beauty in Ephesians 2:10 is that your purpose is tailor-made specifically for you. Think about that for a second, and think about that every time those anxious thoughts try to assert themselves into your mind.
Everyone experiences anxiety at some point, but we have to remember that those nagging thoughts that haunt our minds everyday are so far from the truth. Here’s what’s reassuring: God’s word reminds us we are loved, and his word promises that we can experience supernatural peace when we pray instead of worrying.(Philippians 4:6-7)
I’ve been wearing glasses for about eight years, and there’s nothing like getting a new prescription. Everything can be seen clearly and the lenses are free of smudges. That’s what I imagine it’s like when we begin seeing ourselves the way God sees us. We’re putting on our new prescription glasses. Put those anxious thoughts to rest. Use His Word (new lenses) as you’re searching for answers regarding your identity and purpose.
Sow Cincy 