Letter: Hope for the Anxious Soul

Dear Fellow Sisters,

In this world, things are constantly changing. To me, a girl that has struggled with both anxiety and depression over the last few years, this constant changing only adds to my reasons to be anxious.

To get over the anxiety that was constantly following me in shadow, I needed to realize that there is Someone that is in control. Someone that doesn't want me to be swallowed up by my anxiety. I want you to know that Someone too!

A verse that I often draw upon to calm my anxious heart is the first sentence of verse 19 in Hebrews 6: "For we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." These words have forever changed my life. In this world of constant change and anxiety, I have an anchor for my soul. This anchor is the promise of God and His ever watching eyes, His everlasting care. This anchor is hope. This anchor of hope is firm and secure. Isn't this so encouraging?

In my darkest nights, I have a hope. In times of turmoil, I have an anchor. You can have this anchor too! Let Jesus be the lifeblood that cleanses you from your worries and cares. Cast all your cares, all your anxieties upon Him, because He cares for you! (1 Peter 5:7). He truly does.

~With love, Abbey

How God has used anxiety in my life:

Surprising as it is, He has used my anxiety to teach me to trust.

Because of a few incidents that happened in my life, I told myself that I couldn't trust anybody. From friendships that failed, to an innocent crush gone wrong, to a rocky relationship with my parents, I felt troubled and alone. Through my anxiety, God showed me that there is peace to be had, BUT I had to trust Him.

I had to trust Him in everything: friendships, family, the future - everything! It is only through His grace and teaching me to trust that I am who I am today.

Now, because I trust in Him, I can be a light to those around me who struggle with the same issues. I can relate to them, but also encourage them and point them towards the One from whom all healing and peace flows.

God did not bring me this far to leave me (Phillipians 1:6), but rather to trust in the plans He has for me, for they are plans to prosper me, not to harm me, plans to give me a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). My life will not be perfect, and I will still struggle with anxiety from time to time, but because I have this hope, I can be brave, I can be strong, and I can be fearless, because I am never alone (Joshua 1:9)

"For we have this hope as an anchor for our soul, firm and secure." ~Hebrews 6:19 

~Abbey