Here is what I think: our biggest fears are sprained ankles to God. Here is what else I think: a lot of people live with unnecessary anxiety over temporary limps.

La mayorÃ

The burlap bag of worry. Cumbersome. Chunky. Unattractive. Scratchy. Hard to get a handle on. Irritating to carry and impossible to give away. No one wants your worries.

Begin by thanking God for thumps. Every thump is a reminder that God is molding you (Hebrews 12:5—8). 2. Learn from each thump. Look upon each inconvenience as an opportunity to develop patience and persistence. 3. Be aware of "thump-slump" times. Know your pressure periods. Bolster yourself with extra prayer, and don't give up. Remember, no thump is disastrous. All thumps work for good if we are loving and obeying God.

Your anxiety decreases as your understanding of your father increases.

Writings from Max Lucado Our world is stressed. Jesus gets that. He faced the issues we face and some far more severe than we ever will. He taught how to deal with the challenges of life. And the key to what he taught is to believe God cares for you.

Anxiety is a meteor shower of what-ifs.

Are you angry with God? Tell him. Disgusted with God? Let him know. Weary of telling people you feel fine when you don't? Tell the truth. My friends Thomas and Andrea Davidson did. A stray bullet snatched their fourteen-year-old son, Tyler, out of their lives. Tom writes:

We can't take control, because control is not ours to take.

Anxiety and fear are cousins but not twins. Fear sees a threat. Anxiety imagines one.

Harm to our necks, jaws, backs, and bowels. Anxiety can twist us into emotional pretzels. It can make our eyes twitch, blood pressure rise, heads ache, and armpits sweat.

Trust God's hold on you more than your hold on God. His faithfulness does not depend on yours. His performance is not predicated on yours. His love is not contingent on your own. Your candle may flicker, but it will not expire.