Brenda’s Blog – October 3, 2023
“I am always waiting for the collision.”
In a recent conversation the topic of car accidents came up. “Have you ever been hit? Have you ever hit someone?” An interesting exchange followed.
“Don’t you still wait for the collision?” said one friend. She went on to say for months (and even years) after backing out from a parking space and feeling the crunch of being struck by another car she carries the emotional impact. “Every time I back out I unconsciously hold my breath and wait for the sound of being hit.” Another told of being in an interstate pile up which was unavoidable. Now when traffic quickly stops in front of her she immediately raises her hand, hoping to signal the oncoming car or truck to avoid the dreaded outcome. The rush of an anticipated collision haunts her.
It made me think about other ways we emotionally live waiting for an accident – relationships, careers, health… all offer us opportunities to “live waiting for the collision.” Some call it waiting for the shoe to drop… others call it expecting the worst… while there are those who walk around with a black cloud like a Peanuts comic strip. The past can hang over us like a shadow which darkens the day.
Dr. Richard Swenson wrote a book in 1992 titled Margin which discusses the distance between where we are living and our emotional, psychological limits. When we spend adrenaline anticipating heartbreak, failure, or disease because of past experiences we operate in the red zone, using up the margin which God designed for emergencies.
We live in a culture filled with anxiety and fear. Those are major drivers of our daily living, aren’t they? Living with problems that aren’t ours today is a foolish waste of God’s provision for mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual resources. Scripture tells us to turn tomorrow over to God and accept His provision for today. He is a good God who wants us to enjoy His presence and protection. Let’s do it!