Lesson Learned

I was in such a funk for awhile.  I've never been one to be moody or depressed. So I couldn't fully comprehend what was going on with me. Over the last couple of years, I have survived 2 audits for two different companies. Both audits were completed and closed quite some time ago. The outcome was good for both of them. But I suppose that's what threw me into a gloom and doom mode for months afterward. I had such a forebode feeling that I couldn't seem to shake. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. In fact, I insisted on looking for something to worry and fret about. I dug through paper after paper. It was unreal. I was in such deep concentration trying to piece this thought with the last thought that communication with me was nearly impossible. I could see myself over obsessing and not letting go. But for the life of me, I couldn't stop. Whenever I had concrete proof everything was fine on one thing, I'd dream up something else to have the "What ifs" about. Stress, stress, stress!!!! It was horrible.

Chatty works for a very small company. Her boss is retiring from her company and moving his tax office to another location. In the process, he is taking another co-worker with him. Chatty tends to closely bond with people. So losing a co-worker and confidante has been very hard on her. Not knowing what her new boss will be like and possible company policy changes has also had her stressing. She tends to hold everything in and not talk to people about her worries and concerns. I could see it was wearing on her nerves and her health. So being the good mom that I am, I started talking to her about how stress can create major health issues. I told her there were no problems that could not be resolved in a positive way. First, she needed to acknowledge the sadness of not seeing her co-worker on a daily basis. Then I convinced her to express all of the frustration and emotional turmoil she has been bottling up for the past couple of months. That part was kind of exhausting.  We discussed every possible scenario. We prayed about it. After awhile, she made positive resolutions about certain negative situations that might arise. She looked like a huge weight had been lifted. I left her room shaking my head. All of that stress and panic over the unknown is utterly ridiculous and unnecessary.

Then it hit me!!! Like mother, like daughter. We were both being plagued by the same demon. That demon's name was "Panic". He was attacking in our vulnerable areas. He was causing constant worry when there was nothing to be worried about. When we could get away from him, he would come tapping on our shoulders and whispering in our ears. A little bit of worry and concern was not good enough, he would say, "You're forgetting about me. You need to pay closer attention to me."

Ah-ha.. Now I had him. I had finally identified him. I went straight to my room. I had a sit-down with my Heavenly Father like the one I had just had with my daughter. Oh what a relief!!! The Lord put all of my past concerns in a healthy perspective. I left my room panic-free. I, too, felt like the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders.

Now I can be the crazy old woman everyone has come to know and love. I also learned a very valuable lesson. Less prayer time and less Bible study can make room for all kinds of demon varmints to plague a soul. I had been slipping in those areas. Without constant communication and firm faith in the Lord, the world is a VERY scary place.