The first half of the year 2020 has brought new fears and worries to most of us. New U.S. Census Bureau and National Center for Health statistics published last week by Statista.com show that compared with the same period last year, those suffering from anxiety and depression have seen their symptoms more than triple: From eight percent in 2019 to 28 percent (anxiety), from six percent to 24.4 percent (depression), and from 11 percent to almost 34 percent for both.
Fear isn’t new to me. I’ll admit that, like many of us, I like to be in control. But if we’re honest, we have to admit that we don’t really control anything.
- I couldn’t do a thing about the water creeping from the creek toward my house during torrential rains a few days ago.
- I couldn’t control my daughter Jessica’s health or the aftershocks when she was on Nias Island right after the Indonesian tsunami.
- On days when my health is bad, I can’t control the symptoms of my chronic disease.
- I can’t control politicians.
- I can’t even control my breathing because God has created miraculous processes that make my breathing and body systems work. He didn’t create us and then make us responsible for orchestrating the millions of processes that must operate together. (Thank You, God!)
Many worriers like me have a hard time falling asleep at night. Our minds race making lists, planning our next day, ruminating over our bitterness, and worrying about things we can’t control. Here’s a simple truth that will change your life.
Sandscribblings 