It’s not uncommon to hear those who have lost a limb talk about phantom pain. This is that sensation that the limb is actually there and a part of the person. It’s even been reported that amputees often feel tingling, itching and other sensations from missing limbs. There is a body of research out there that indicates that this is not always “in the head”…but that there may be some physiological reasons for it.
I don’t know about you, but I think sometimes I assume “Phantom Emotions”. They, for me, are those times when I see or hear someone else going through something and automatically assume that I “might” have to deal with the same thing someday. Quite honestly, I think it’s WRONG. The Bible tells us that we are not to worry or be anxious. I know God has the number of hairs on my head counted out. He has a plan for me. He knows my thoughts, my fears and my dreams. And He loves me. Yet there are those moments when I find myself wrestling with “self” as I panic and worry without a real cause—it’s a type of “Phantom Anxiety”. It happens almost without warning when I hear of the tragedies of others.
Today is one of those days for me.
I woke up this morning to hear the radio announcer tell the listeners that we need to be praying for a local pastor and his family. The Pastor, it seems, went to visit his Mother for Mother’s Day in North Carolina. Then, he and his 13 year old son left early Monday morning in their small plane to head to Arkansas and pick up a friend on their way to Texas for a Conference. The person in Arkansas reported that they “never showed up” and thus the search and rescue started yesterday afternoon. Today, they found the wreckage of the plane and the bodies of the pastor and his son.
My heart breaks for the wife and mother that is left behind. She has lost one of her six children and her soul mate. I can only picture what five sisters and brothers must be asking today, “Why?”
And while I pray earnestly for her comfort and peace during this most difficult time, I confess that I tend to heap the “what if’s” into my thought life during this type of thing. It doesn’t take long until I am wallowing in a load of anxiety about my own husband and children.
This happens for me when the tragedy is something that I know could have just as easily happened to me or my own family. It surfaces when a young person is tragically injured or dies in a car crash, when a small child drowns in a pool, or when someone is severely mistreated by another. It happens when I hear about a bank robbery, a parade mishap, or a senseless act of violence. When I really dig down to find out WHY it happens, I realize that it is about control.
I know that I am not in control. I also know that sometimes awful things DO happen in our world to some really good people. While I try to cast my worry aside, it’s often easier said than done. But worry helps no one. It cannot add a minute to my life or yours.
So I must find a way to guard my heart from the speculation game and what-if’s that plague me. I must find a way to trust. And rest. And know that He IS God who can and will take away my phantom anxiety!
I cannot believe that I am the only woman who deals with worry. In fact, I would guess that most of us have experienced this to one degree or another in our lives. I don’t know of an instant remedy, but I DO know that Christians can rest in God’s promises. Because step by step and inch by inch I know I can be better today than I was yesterday. Today I choose to rest and reflect on scripture:
One I found on the church’s website: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
And the other is simply an “old favorite” for me: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:5-6
And such truth is not phantom at all!
11 comments:
I always appreciate and admire your oh so honest posts, Susan. I can honestly say I rest in the knowledge that the very next beat of my heart and the very next breath of air in my lungs is all under HIS control. When we actually grasp that reality it gets oh so much easier.
((hugs))
Susan
I worry like that sometimes!! I think it's natural to worry...I think it's what we do with that worry that is the key. Do we let it consume and disable us or do we let it point us to the God who can provide for our every need??
Like Penless, I have to say that I am pretty good at the not worrying thing.... but you are correct - it affects EVERYONE to SOME degree from time to time! And it was not too long ago, I remember going completely off the deep end with worry one night! Satan LOVES to pull that on us! And it's hard not to "think about it" when the story relates so closely to something that could happen in your own life... but try to wear that as compassion instead of worry.
Susan, I can relate to this...I battle anxious thoughts often- and I do get tempted to worry when I hear of tragedies like this, too...
Thank you for your honesty- and for also reminding all of us of the truth of God's word!
I just recently purchased a framed piece that has Philippians 4:5-6 and have it right here on my desk - as I have been experiencing increased anxiety in recent months triggered by my father-in-laws illness. I know what you are talking about here!
Great post. As much as we know the Lord watches over us and is in ultimate control, I think most of us wrestle with anxiety and wanting to be "in control" at one point or another (or maybe even all the time!). Thanks for your wise words and reminders from God's word.
Worry...Hm!! Yeap it is one of the biggest baddest tools that Satan has for us...I am very bad about it but am trying hard to do it less and less!!
My grandmother lost her left leg from the knee down. She was always saying that it itched. So hard to understand that but I know for sure from her experience.
Take care and glad to have you back home. Sandy
I come from a long line of worrywarts. I often find myself plagued by the "what-ifs."
Thanks for the encouragement and the reminder that God won't abandon us!
I have a very active imagination and go from zero to liver cancer in a nano second. God is faithful however to take the burden if I only let Him have it (and not constantly take it back!) Love the Scriptures you quoted...definitely some favorites of mine. Check out very pregnant Suzy and my Mother's Day Weekend in New York. Miss you.
I can really relate to this - I actually have to make a concious effort to emotionally disconnect so I don't become consumed with the worry and what ifs.
I came here via Danielle B.
You voice my own occasional feelings of worry or phantom worry, as you say. I've had to verbally say, "NO, Brain. Not today. You will be still and quiet..." Rather like telling my mind/flesh, "YOU are not the boss of me! God's in control here, and YOU are not."
Verbal affirmation like that is amazingly powerful. I am thankful that I do it less and less. Worry is fear driven, and if we can be kept in a fearful state by those who want to keep us paralyzed, we are useless in sharing our faith.
I once read that worry is taking on a responsibility that already belongs to God. ~ouch~ :)
Those are truly great scriptures you posted.
I'm fond of 2 Tim 7:
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Thank you for sharing. Outstanding post.
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