Lord, Help My Anxious Heart - Encouragement for Today - August 21, 2019

Peace and perspective from God's timeless truths. [View this email in your browser]( Encouragement for Today --------------------------------------------------------------- August 21, 2019 Lord, Help My Anxious Heart [JESSICA THOMPSON]( [Listen to this devotion]( “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” [Isaiah 41:10]( (ESV) My oldest son has played sports since he was 10 years old. He excelled in many different positions on the football field, but when he entered college, he was asked to play a new position — one he has never been in before. To say he was anxious is a huge understatement. He made many major mistakes — the type that cost his team wins. The more he tried to correct what he was doing, the worse the situation got. He kept trying different techniques, but the pressure was just too much for him. He finally found solace when another player gave him some advice that had very little to do with the game. His friend told him his identity was not in how he performed, but his identity was in Christ alone. He told my son he didn’t have to be afraid of failing because God was with him and loved him during every single play of the game — whether good or bad. The anxiety my son felt trying to perform on the field is the same anxiety my daughter often feels when she’s about to take a test or enter a brand-new social situation. What my son’s friend told him echoes the words I tell every single one of my kids: You have a resting place, you have help, you have someone to uphold you, and you don’t have to be afraid. Often when we see our kids struggling, we just want to slap a verse with some commands onto the situation to somehow make it better. We say something like, “Don’t be afraid! You have nothing to be anxious about. Things will be fine.” And while there may be a time and a place for that, it’s better to remind them of all the reasons why they don’t have to be afraid. God says it so clearly in [Isaiah 41:10]( “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Too often we tend to focus on what our children should be doing — instead of what God has already done and what He promised to continue to do for them. Maybe it’s time to give our anxious kids some good news instead of more commands to stop being fearful. That was exactly the help my son needed. He needed to hear the good news of the gospel. I think we all do. [Continue reading...]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( [Read about Salem Web Network]( | [Subscription Preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( --------------------------------------------------------------- © 2019 Salem Web Network. All rights reserved. 111 Virginia Street, Suite 500, Richmond, VA 23219. This email is never sent unsolicited. You are receiving this email because your email address, {EMAIL}, is signed up to receive newsletters, updates, and special offers from Encouragement for Today. [Link](