Replay

Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.

TERESA FELT AS IF A DARK CLOUD were following her around. But why? From the outside her life seemed wonderful. She had a kind husband and two excelling children.

Each day brought mail with more good news—so why was she feeling a sense of doom? She felt like she was going to collapse with a mix of contrasting emotions: anger, frustration, depression, panic, and hopelessness for herself and her family. She knew she couldn’t keep living this way. Her family couldn’t deal with her being this way. Something had to change—or someone had to change.

It’s not unusual to sense anxiety when your child is approaching the age you were when some traumatic event or abuse may have happened in your own life. Unchecked, your actions and feelings will become more overstated, and you will feel out of control. If people who love you are asking you questions like, “What is up?” “Why are you overreacting?” those can be signals that the problem isn’t with your spouse, your child, or even your life, but with you.

If it feels like the black clouds are rolling in, and you’re afraid of the coming storm, what’s the first step out of the rain? Take shelter from the fear by investing in resources to broaden your view of God. The bigger, stronger, more loving, and more able you are to see God, the smaller your sense of doom and gloom will become.

Is there something in your past that could be impacting your future? Knowing that fears might be ahead will help you prepare. Step out of the storm and under God’s wings of care.