Wife's illness almost wrecked our life, livelihood and killed her. Anxiety, Worry, Stress
Q: Help. Worries & anxiety over going through trying and troubling times. Like my wife got a serious illness out of nowhere now, theres addeed weight, worry, pressures in many areas. From having to care for her, deal with hospitalizations, life, bills, carry on, help her while recovering at home and repeated hospital visits, etc. Fortunately we don't have young kids in this mix. Both being artists, theres fear over losing income & losing the home, your projects not getting completed or delayed, letting people down, & concerns related. Her projects not getting done, worries over folk thinking your unreliable, or doing a fast shoddy job, to pride hindering you from having to ask if it can be delayed, wanting people to like you and believe your a goid person, ...to having stress, and all the anxiety that comes with worrying what to do if she dies. Worrying my world's going to fall apart. Things we cling to and value and find our identity and purpose in, may colapse. Its overwhelming.
A: I really relate to what your saying a bit, in my being hit with not just being (1) hospitalized for my back going out and being unable to move for days, but being in ER a couple days then moved to a room for a week there, finally getting up, using a walker, And (2) being hit with (during all that and for over a year now) both rotator cuffs being torn, in tremendous pain, very limited life, bad home therapy to where I stopped it cuz they were making things worse, plus hubby having to do a bunch of stuff for me daily (physically and most helps & chores) and still go work long crazy hours. Its been so tough on me but him too in ways. But (3) also having recently been diagnosed with a rare incurable cancer... it's like I need to be preparing so if I go before him [who knows with life right], that he's not alone and hes likely having similar concerns that likely went through your mind and more.
And its valid to think about what's truly worth clinging to, and what ones value is, and where and in what one finds their identity and purpose in. For me as a Christian, I have peace (not anxiety) in situations, cuz I trust & know God's care is over his adopted children and he will guide us so that we go where is best, and if that means changes in life and work, it is what it is and it's where we pivot. God who made, calms, directs and walked on the sea in stormy weather, will be with me, and ride the waves with me, bringing me through it, to the other side of it. For all the "matters" if its meant to be then it will happen. If not, I wont lament or suffer loss but just need to communicate to those around me affected [like you noted, customers]. Life doesnt go perfectly as we all want it, and most are aware of that by now. Hard times may come but He is still with us, working in our lives to bring about good on many levels, even as we live in this fallen suffering world, on our way to glory. I wish more people had the peace of Christ in their lives.
If you would like to meet the Prince of Peace, the Savior of man and God who created us, who had designed us with a purpose, & has a plan for our lives, these will help you on that journey...
From anxiety to peace. Conquering anxiety, panic attacks, worry, disappointment, fears etc.
God bless
