Anxiety.

It’s defined in my dictionary as, a state or cause of uneasiness and apprehension; worry.

Also, intense fear resulting from the anticipation of a threatening event.

Reading those two parts of the definition of anxiety is eye opening to me.

I felt great anxiety about yesterday and today – the start of OCIA for Children, Family First Reconciliation and Holy Communion, and 3 To 5 Club Sessions.

There are so many details to take care of for those sessions.

Did we miss any?

Then the anxiety causes negative thoughts to fill my mind.

What if…

Brothers and sisters: Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

My apartment faces East, so I face the sunrise.

Sunday morning as I watched the beautiful sunrise color the partly cloudy sky with different shades of orange, I prayed, asking Jesus to quiet my anxiety and fill me with faith that He would take care of everything.

I could feel His peaceful presence in that glorious sunrise.

When I come to Saint Peter Claver I am heading West on the 118 freeway.

I got to the top of the grade at Rocky Peak and was blown away with the incredible view of the full moon over Simi Valley.

Again, I prayed, asking Jesus to quiet my anxiety and fill me with faith that He would care for everything.

I could feel His peaceful, “Yes Laura, I’ve got this” in that incredible view of the full moon setting.

What a blessing it is when my mind and heart can turn to prayer when I’m feeling anxious.

God knows what a strong feeling anxiety is and how it hurts us.

It’s right there in this coming Sunday’s Second Mass Reading!

Let’s hear the reminder when we are suffering from worry and anxiety to turn to God. Thank Him for all His blessings and ask Him to help us with whatever it is we are worried and anxious about.

God will guard our hearts and minds, and we will feel His peaceful presence.

Be blessed through God's peace!