Mark Twain penned, “Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.”
I hope that’s true for me.
I’ve always smiled with my eyes. Or that’s what others tell me and probably why I have so many wrinkles showing around them. With all that is happening in the world I find myself struggling to not take it all on myself. I attempt to solve one issue, or mourn another, and cannot stand under the pressure. It’s impossible to live this way and my face speaks what’s happening inside. My brows furrow while my mind travels to tasks or worries. In place of smiles are scowls while impatience pushes aside joy.
If you’re finding yourself riding waves of concern and anxiety, you’re not alone.
The other day, months into the Coronavirus stay-at-home orders, my son started laughing in deep joy while crying tears of grief. He swallowed hard, stopped, and said with shock, “Woah, that’s never happened before.” It hit me hard. Many of us are experiencing deep emotions washing over us.
We feel hope, grief, joy, frustration, and fear. But we can stand firm knowing these emotions remind us of our need for Jesus. He is our anchor in the waves. We cannot anchor ourselves.We find our security in God and know He will fulfill His promises. Click To Tweet God is our certainty, our faithful anchor amidst the confusion and unknowns that flood our feeds and minds daily.
Hebrews 6:19a says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm, and secure.”
When we place our hope in Jesus, we sit with confident expectation in God’s faithfulness, love, forgiveness, and the promise of eternity with Him. These truths steady our souls in the waves of uncertainty.
When multiple emotions leave us feeling out of control, we must stand firm and anchor in God. As identifiers, our emotions can bring us closer to Him, letting us know when things need to be tended to, or surrendered.
When multiple emotions leave us feeling out of control, we must stand firm and anchor in God. Click To Tweet
As my eye wrinkles leave coordinates of past heart conditions, I’m reminded that I can choose to praise God in hope and faith as He holds me firmly. I pray that my wrinkles of grief and anxiety are shallow, while my deeper wrinkles are of joy and peace, evidence of God’s love and faithfulness.
Allow God’s Word to wash over you today as you cling to Him during uncertain times.
“When I thought, ‘My foot slips,’
Your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.
When the cares of my heart are many,
Your consolations cheer my soul” (Psalm 94:18-19, ESV).
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20 Days of Relational Health Bible reading plan.
Our hearts crave deep, lasting connections–to know we are loved and belong. This Bible reading plan will help you grow in your relationships as you learn to love others well, speak and live in truth, and set the healthy boundaries that will allow your relationships to thrive.
Find it HERE.
