I’m loathe to admit that I’m a worrier. My pride will say I have my reasons to worry—and good ones at that!—each one so practical and realistic … to me. But over the years I’ve learned that worry is exhausting and chaotic. Yet here’s the rub: worry is also a way to cope with life’s storms and struggles to meet our temporal needs.
Jesus’ words in today’s gospel have helped me many times—my thoughts stop in their tracks when I picture the Lord acknowledging my concerns, but assuring me all the same to seek what is above. It can be very challenging to do this—stress can be blinding, urgent and scary. But the Lord doesn’t dismiss our worries—he meets us right where we are, and reminds us to trust in him above all else.
When I’m in anxiety’s grip, I know God is calling me to pray. Seek first. “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). We need to hope, and trust that God is with us—Easter Sunday comes after Good Friday. Sometimes God is as quiet as a whisper, other times as clear as day: Last night, I tucked into a new book, and the chapter ended with a quote from this very passage.
—Kristin Dillon is a lay minister who participates in Charis Ministries programs. She lives in Chicago with her husband and seven-month-old son.