My Anxieties are Real

Greetings Family and Friends,

Anxiety both diagnosed and undiagnosed runs in my family. I would venture to say that just being Black in America is cause to be anxious much of the time. Micro-aggressions abound even at the grocery store. Institutional systems of oppression, like racism, are alive and well. I am sure you could share a story or two of your own about how just going about your own business on any given day may result in anxiety.

My doctoral studies are largely focused on contemplation. I am speaking of contemplation as it relates to the awareness and experience of the presence of God. Such an awareness and especially the experience of the presence of God has been for me the greatest tool to combat the stress of anxiety. I was reminded of this during my personal time of devotion today. I often read Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman’s writings as part of my spiritual self-care. Here is the meditation by Dr. Thurman that brought me comfort and affirmation today. I pray that it will do the same for you!

God is Present
God is present with me this day.
God is present with me in the midst of my anxieties. I affirm in my own heart and mind the reality of His presence. He makes immediately available to me the strength of His goodness, the reassurance of His wisdom and the heartiness of His courage. My anxieties are real; they are the result of a wide variety of experiences, some of which I understand, some of which I do not understand. One thing I know concerning my anxieties: they are real to me. Sometimes they seem more real than the presence of God. When this happens, they dominate my mood and possess my thoughts. The presence of God does not always deliver me from anxiety but it always delivers me from anxieties. Little by little, I am beginning to understand that deliverance from anxiety means fundamental growth in spiritual character and awareness. It becomes a quality of being, emerging from deep within, giving to all the dimensions of experience a vast immunity against being anxious. A ground of calm underlies experiences whatever may be the tempestuous character of events. This calm is the manifestation in life of the active, dynamic Presence of God.
God is present with me this day.

Over the next month, notice how God’s presence is active in your life. This may not be easy but don’t give up. When anxiety arises for you, turn your attention to the ways that you recognize God’s dynamic presence. Let me know how it is working for you.

Through peace and praise,
Rev. Ineda P. Adesanya