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“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV).
This past week, I planned to visit my good friend, Tanner Olson, in Columbus, Ohio, at the Scatter the Joy Project. When my husband came down with a bad cold, however, I started to panic. Not only do I have generalized anxiety, but I have horrible night driving anxiety, especially in a busy place like Columbus. From highways to traffic and wrecks, just seeing the six-lane highways stresses me out. Can you relate?
By the halfway point of the week, I was determined to find a solution. I knew I’d be too frightened to drive alone, but if I could find a friend who was okay with driving in the dark, I’d be set. So, that’s what I set out to find: a friend who could drive us. What did I find instead? A new friend with night driving anxiety, just like me. God has a sense of humor, so let me explain.
Earlier in the week, a girl from my church reached out about hanging out. We had mutual friends, and we shared our lives over hot tea and coffee on Monday afternoon. By Friday, we were best friends, driving to Columbus, choosing to face our fears and let God handle the rest. Again, God is funny, right?
Making the drive to Columbus wasn’t easy. We were both still anxious. But by the time we reached the event, my friend shared that when she was praying about coming with me or not, she felt the Lord say, “Change your perspective.” Immediately, I felt a gut-punch. This friend wasn’t just a new friend to me, but she was a new Christian, and here she was teaching me!
Sometimes, our circumstances change from good to bad overnight. The problems disappear, and we move on. But more often than not, God changes us in those circumstances. My friend and I still had to drive in the dark to this event. Yes, we drove the back way, and yes, we both still have anxiety. Yet together, and by changing our perspective, the Lord helped us get there safely and back again.