Editor’s Note: The following is part 1 of 2 of a live Crowdcast talk on Learning to Trust More and Worry Less by Alyssa Sanchez and Michelle Hillaert. You’ll be able to read and watch part 2 by Michelle on Friday, 4/23. These talks are part of a 4-week Revival Series on desert fruits presented by our discipleship team.
- With an overwhelming response on Saints for Slackers, I did Padre Pio who I previously wrote a blog about: “How to combat worry with Padre Pio”
- I share in the blog and in the podcast episode that I never realized I had worry or anxiety and that the symptoms – like being in a constant state of worry or having restless sleep cycles – were never symptoms to me, just life.
- In today’s day and age, I think everyone has some form of anxiety. If not now from the pandemic, then from how we interact and respond to societal pressures. It wasn’t until quarantine time that I realized I have a form of anxiety. The fact that we were going through a pandemic was not the trigger, but that I had nothing to do and nowhere to go.
- When quarantine started, I was on spring break. I had nothing to do, but I still found myself worried and anxious about the now small list of tasks. Before, I thought that it was understandable I was worried–I had such a long list of things to do and places to be that it justified my worry. Not anymore, though. That’s when some truths were revealed to me, with the root of it all being worry, never letting me be present.
- Where do I even start to help me fix this? Well, I turned to prayer and communication. I asked God for peace, spoke through my feelings, looked to those I knew felt the same way. Like my aunt who’s written blogs about her anxiety here.
- Then Padre Pio revealed himself to me through the quote, “pray, hope, and don’t worry, worry is useless God is merciful and will hear your prayer” and this became my motto and rock whenever I would get over-anxious.
- Since I wrote that blog I have been coming to terms with the fact I have anxiety, have learned more about myself, and figured out ways to reduce my anxiety.
- Padre Pio is always reminding me of this quote and having it written pretty much everywhere also helps.
- But I’ve been practicing new habits and praying for peace ,and I’m always surprised with how I’m slowly becoming better and how the Lord works.
- The Bible in a Year podcast recently read the gospel of Luke, and you know how Jesus always says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.” I never really understood or knew truly what it meant and then I read this passage in Luke which resonated with me.
- It was Luke chapter 14, the last supper where Jesus is telling the disciples about the advocate who’s coming after Him, which is the Holy Spirit. And He’s trying to calm down the disciples who are kinda getting worried because He keeps talking about leaving. In this chapter, He says the following verse 27:
- “Peace I leave you my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
- When I read this, I felt like the message was for me. I can do exercises, form healthy habits, and nurture peace in my life, which I do, but I will never find the true peace I long for unless it’s through the Lord.
- Doing all of the psychological exercises, communicating, forming healthy habits to reduce anxiety all help me in my day-to-day life. But I can tell you nothing feels more peaceful than sitting in adoration and just staring at the Lord and feel Him looking upon you as well.
- I feel Him looking upon me with such love and peace. While I am constantly struggling, it’s becoming easier and easier each day as I put my trust in the Lord.
Also read Alyssa’s blog on “How to Combat Worry with Padre Pio.”
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