the remedy

As I was talking with a good friend the other day about the state of the world, we commiserated in our shared struggles with anxiety — something which has heightened significantly for me in the past few months. There are so many things happening in our world right now that it’s hard not to be affected by it all. Blow after blow, the bad news explodes all over the TV, radio, and social media. It’s impossible to escape it. These dismal tidings can suck the pure joy out of simply being alive and healthy.

Aside from the coronavirus pandemic, murder hornets, Democrats vs. Republicans, and rising racial tensions due to inequalities, there’s another huge problem in our country that is rarely talked about nowadays — sex trafficking. During our talk, my friend shared her knowledge on this subject, speaking about how certain children are more at risk than others, how some politicians are working to fight the problem, and how she wishes she didn’t know as much as she does about exactly what is happening to our children.

She wished for blissful ignorance. And the second she uttered those words, my heart heaved a huge AMEN — wouldn’t that be wonderful?!

It’s so easy to wish we didn’t know difficult things, because living with the truth can sometimes be unsettling, heartbreaking, sickening, and maddening. And with knowledge often comes a responsibility and/or desire to act. When we are unable to do anything, or don’t know how to help change things, anxiety can quickly take over.

Nowadays, I often wonder what life might have looked like if Eve had never eaten the apple from the forbidden tree in the garden. Since then, we have been cursed with the knowledge of good and evil; we’ve been cursed with SIN.

But understanding that sin is the root of all evil in the world is powerful knowledge. Once you know what your enemy is, you can figure out how to fight it. In the case with sin, only good can wipe out evil. Only God can defeat sin.

During the past few months, I have never felt such a strong urge to be closer to God. My soul craves His presence. My heart cries out for healing — from my own grief and anxiety, for our nation, for our children at risk, for healthcare workers, for anyone else who is hurting or in need, etc. My prayers are a constant stream to Heaven.

While the world tears itself apart, I have somewhat distanced myself from it as much as I could. I have withdrawn to my prayer life and often solitude, seeking God in a myriad of different ways… even replacing my usual TV shows with a wonderful new series about Jesus called The Chosen by Dallas Jenkins, which I highly recommend to everyone everywhere.

Until we, as a society, replace the garbage that is constantly in our ears, eyes, and minds with Jesus and The Gospel, things will never change and we will never heal. This happens ONE person at a time. It happens in the wee small hours of the morning when we’re in a state of prayer. It happens while worshiping. It happens while sitting down to some quiet time to read His word and journal our thoughts. It can also happen around the dinner table with our families and friends.

So rather than continuing to feel anxious, or judged, or helpless, or hopeless, I’m going to focus my thoughts on Him. Rather than listening to the masses, I’m going to lean into Him and let Him speak to me about what I need to say or do. Rather than trying to come up with my own words to speak eloquently to others about these trying times, I’m going to use His perfect words. Whenever possible, I will point the world to Him.

We all need more of His grace and goodness. This applies to EVERYONE.

In John 3:30, the Bible says “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”

Reading these words makes me think of a great contemporary Christian song by Colton Dixon. I’ll share those lyrics below, as well as the video.

I hope this message blesses you, providing His comfort and peace.

I made my castle tall
I built up every wall
This is my kingdom and it needs to fall
I want You and no one else
Empty me of myself
Until the only thing that’s left is

More of You
Less of me
Make me who I’m meant to be
You’re all I want all I need
You’re everything
Take it all I surrender
Be my king
God I choose
More of You
Less of me
More of You

This life I hold so close
Oh, God I let it go
I refuse to gain the world and lose my soul
So take it all I abandon everything I am You can have it
The only thing I need is

More of You
Less of me
Make me who I’m meant to be
You’re all I want all I need
You’re everything
Take it all I surrender
Be my king
God I choose
More of You
Less of me
More of You

All to You I surrender
All to You my blessed Savior
I surrender all

Grace and Blessings,
Emily