March 16 Anxious but Anchored

Carol Nyack
Shepherdess Cayman Islands
Conference of SDA

Theme: Trusting God when anxiety creeps in.

It was a cool February evening, and I was reaching the end of my rope in more ways than one. I was partially laid up with a broken ankle, having just shattered my beautiful flowerpot. At the same time, vacuuming, and then, minutes later, discovered that my unlocked car had been ransacked during the night.

I glanced at my husband resting on the sofa. He remained unbothered by my recounting of events. I then contacted our older son. While on the phone, my husband calmly said, "Ask him to come take me to the hospital."

There was no complaint of pain, no urgency in his voice—just a quiet request. At this point, I knew prayer was more important than questioning. 

Our son arrived, and just as my husband turned to kiss me and leave, I grabbed him to pray. On the way to the hospital, things took a drastic downturn. Trying to shield me from the unfolding trauma, our son mumbled on the phone, "Mom, the doctors say it's 50-50. We need prayers." The weight of those words hit me like a ton of bricks. My brain went numb, and my body shivered. Anxiety stalked me. God felt distant.

Doctors did everything they could and then stood with our two sons helplessly, waiting for his organs to respond. Should I keep calling others to pray or drop to my knees in my desperate plea? I chose both.

As the long night stretched on, a flicker of hope appeared—his organs showed signs of functioning again, and our sons were sent home. Relief flooded my heart.

While fervently praying, the story of Hezekiah flashed into my mind like a bolt of lightning. Instantly, my prayers shifted.

The most challenging prayer I had ever prayed escaped my lips: "Jehovah Rapha, let my husband live, Your will be done." I pleaded for healing and for time, but above all, I surrendered to God's plan.

At that moment, I had an epiphany. I began to see Jesus not just as the Great Physician but as our Savior and Redeemer. My anxiety lessened, and a quiet peace settled over me. 

By 5:00 a.m., I had fully surrendered my request into God's hands and the prayer warriors of the Conference Prayer Ministry Department. 

No matter how anxious we may feel, we can be anchored in the One who knows the future and holds everything together.

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You." — Isaiah 26:3

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for being our Rock and Anchor.  You are the One who holds things together, even when it feels like it is unraveling. Lord, when anxiety grips our hearts and the weight of circumstances overwhelms us, help us to remember that you are always near. Thank you that no matter how anxious we may feel, we are securely anchored in You during our darkest hour. In Jesus’ name, amen.