I’ve had this habit since I was a girl … wondering when the “other shoe” might drop. Even now if I have an “especially good day” (nothing too dramatic or traumatic happening) - I’ll wonder with dread- what will tomorrow look like? In the past year I’ve started bringing this to him and saying “it all belongs to you. Make today what you want.” This somehow helps me place it in his capable hands and not dread the “what ifs” but try to “anticipate” possible “what ifs.”
This reminds me of a practice John Eldredge did on a recent podcast I heard... taking a pause and bringing all the swirl to Jesus' feet: "Jesus, right now I give everyone...and everything... over to you." Just becoming still and handing specific people, events, troubles, issues, over to Him to sit at His feet and receive. That surprisingly simple intentional moment was oddly quieting for me.
This piece hits me right where I sit in this moment, I so relate to it...thank you so much. I feel companioned on the journey now, no longer alone and overwhelmed with conflicting feelings and questions.
This question … following Hurricane Helene’s destruction in western NC where I live, this has become “the” question. I’m so fortunate that I lost very little materially, but the sense of security I once had has all but vanished. Thank you for a very timely read for me… I’ll be re-reading, I’m sure.
As I look back, it's wild to me to watch the progression of fielding some hard loss and then hunching my shoulders and clenching my fists as if I'm losing forward ....
Losing forward! 🤯😥 Wow. That phrase evokes such a clear image for me. May we be instead the Anticipators watching for what good God will bring.
Just dropped my first year college kid back at school after break. Fall was rougher than rough. The anxiety, worry, and catastrophizing from Sept - Dec sent me into a real tailspin. The tears that we’ve cried in those months…
But we’ve witnessed a lot of growth and maturity in the time he’s been home. Reason to think he will make better decisions this time around. I’m still a little terrified though and averting my thoughts often from “What if?”
My mindset as I hugged him goodbye was bravely: Let’s watch for what God will do. ♥️
Thank you for naming this feeling. The struggle I'm identifying this season is where anticipation and hope cross over into expectation and demand. I think this is because of past disappointments calcifying in my heart into bitter root judgments and expectations that people will let me down. So rather than an open-handed trust in the Father, a holding my heart open to the gifts He wants to give, there is a grasping for what He and others would do or give if they really loved me. Lots of repentance needed, in layers, to see the ever-giving gift of the cross, His heart that stays open to me even when my attitude is sour, and the daily invitations to rest today in who He IS for me- to forgive and acknowledge and accept and receive that the manna ("what is it?") for today is enough.
"Anticipation is a sign of security … rest, safety. A fruit, if you will, of a life slowly learning that even the free-falls that aren’t chosen can still be caught"
I'm making room for you on my bench as we both deal with things only G-d can help us with. Blessings
As I age I find myself doing exactly this, Sarah. (So beautifully said. )
I find myself always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Life has conditioned me to anticipate the worst - so often robbing me of joy.
I have gotten out of the practice of choosing a word for the year. I didn’t plan to choose one this year either, but one seems to have chosen me. Over and over again I hear the gentle whisper - trust Me. It comes to me in so many unexpected places.
Fully surrendered has long been the cry of my heart - but I fail over and over again, hanging on to what masquerades as control with my tight little fists.
Trust Me, He whispers. Believe I am who I say I am. Believe I am good and that I love you. Only then can you be fully surrendered - no matter the circumstances.
Thank you so much for so vulnerably sharing your heart, Sara. It is a gift.
Here I am, 8 days later...finally able to sit and read this...the title "What if I lose this good thing?" kept me holding it at arms length. So thankful for you friend! And so grateful for my Heavenly Father Who KNOWS my heart better than me and SEES me! Being right in the middle of a LIFE season change, that question was swirling in my heart. And finally, I was able to hear HIM say to my swirling heart, DO NOT WORRY...Matthew 6...don't let the "what ifs" steal your joy and peace! Your words Sara, "Anticipation is a sign of security … rest, safety. A fruit, if you will, of a life slowly learning that even the free-falls that aren’t chosen can still be caught." so resonate in my soul. I can testify, coming out of a free-fall...almost...that HE has never left me. And His wisdom and perfect ways astound me. He is using the HARD in this past year, to direct my path. Thank you, dear one, for sharing your heart with us all!
A friend and I call this feeling the “Life is Too Good Scaries,” and it’s one we struggle with often (and, in my case, have for a long time). My therapist encouraged me to pause in those moments, take whatever it is I’m afraid of losing (usually a person), and turn that fear into gratitude instead.
“God, thank you for this good thing that brings me so much joy.”
It’s not an instant fix, but it’s a slow reframing that has helped over time. I absolutely loved this article and the idea of living in anticipation, and especially the imagery of free falling while knowing there’s a God who will catch us. Thank you 🩵
I’ve had this habit since I was a girl … wondering when the “other shoe” might drop. Even now if I have an “especially good day” (nothing too dramatic or traumatic happening) - I’ll wonder with dread- what will tomorrow look like? In the past year I’ve started bringing this to him and saying “it all belongs to you. Make today what you want.” This somehow helps me place it in his capable hands and not dread the “what ifs” but try to “anticipate” possible “what ifs.”
This reminds me of a practice John Eldredge did on a recent podcast I heard... taking a pause and bringing all the swirl to Jesus' feet: "Jesus, right now I give everyone...and everything... over to you." Just becoming still and handing specific people, events, troubles, issues, over to Him to sit at His feet and receive. That surprisingly simple intentional moment was oddly quieting for me.
Have you used the John Eldredge “pause” app? It’s very helpful ! He uses that terminology on there.
I like this prayer!
I can relate to this as well Megan! Thank you for sharing and I love this prayer!
This piece hits me right where I sit in this moment, I so relate to it...thank you so much. I feel companioned on the journey now, no longer alone and overwhelmed with conflicting feelings and questions.
This question … following Hurricane Helene’s destruction in western NC where I live, this has become “the” question. I’m so fortunate that I lost very little materially, but the sense of security I once had has all but vanished. Thank you for a very timely read for me… I’ll be re-reading, I’m sure.
As I look back, it's wild to me to watch the progression of fielding some hard loss and then hunching my shoulders and clenching my fists as if I'm losing forward ....
Losing forward! 🤯😥 Wow. That phrase evokes such a clear image for me. May we be instead the Anticipators watching for what good God will bring.
Just dropped my first year college kid back at school after break. Fall was rougher than rough. The anxiety, worry, and catastrophizing from Sept - Dec sent me into a real tailspin. The tears that we’ve cried in those months…
But we’ve witnessed a lot of growth and maturity in the time he’s been home. Reason to think he will make better decisions this time around. I’m still a little terrified though and averting my thoughts often from “What if?”
My mindset as I hugged him goodbye was bravely: Let’s watch for what God will do. ♥️
oh my ... these transitions!! I feel them for and with you.
Thank you for naming this feeling. The struggle I'm identifying this season is where anticipation and hope cross over into expectation and demand. I think this is because of past disappointments calcifying in my heart into bitter root judgments and expectations that people will let me down. So rather than an open-handed trust in the Father, a holding my heart open to the gifts He wants to give, there is a grasping for what He and others would do or give if they really loved me. Lots of repentance needed, in layers, to see the ever-giving gift of the cross, His heart that stays open to me even when my attitude is sour, and the daily invitations to rest today in who He IS for me- to forgive and acknowledge and accept and receive that the manna ("what is it?") for today is enough.
Thank you, Sara for giving us a chance to ponder our own hearts against the backdrop of God’s patient grace with us.
"Anticipation is a sign of security … rest, safety. A fruit, if you will, of a life slowly learning that even the free-falls that aren’t chosen can still be caught"
I'm making room for you on my bench as we both deal with things only G-d can help us with. Blessings
So good, Sara! Thank you!!
As I age I find myself doing exactly this, Sarah. (So beautifully said. )
I find myself always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Life has conditioned me to anticipate the worst - so often robbing me of joy.
I have gotten out of the practice of choosing a word for the year. I didn’t plan to choose one this year either, but one seems to have chosen me. Over and over again I hear the gentle whisper - trust Me. It comes to me in so many unexpected places.
Fully surrendered has long been the cry of my heart - but I fail over and over again, hanging on to what masquerades as control with my tight little fists.
Trust Me, He whispers. Believe I am who I say I am. Believe I am good and that I love you. Only then can you be fully surrendered - no matter the circumstances.
Thank you so much for so vulnerably sharing your heart, Sara. It is a gift.
I hope a word chooses me, also. This seems like such a tender way God might have.
I will pray for just that, Sara. 💛
This is so encouraging, as I often have the same worries. Thank you for sharing this piece of your heart.
Here I am, 8 days later...finally able to sit and read this...the title "What if I lose this good thing?" kept me holding it at arms length. So thankful for you friend! And so grateful for my Heavenly Father Who KNOWS my heart better than me and SEES me! Being right in the middle of a LIFE season change, that question was swirling in my heart. And finally, I was able to hear HIM say to my swirling heart, DO NOT WORRY...Matthew 6...don't let the "what ifs" steal your joy and peace! Your words Sara, "Anticipation is a sign of security … rest, safety. A fruit, if you will, of a life slowly learning that even the free-falls that aren’t chosen can still be caught." so resonate in my soul. I can testify, coming out of a free-fall...almost...that HE has never left me. And His wisdom and perfect ways astound me. He is using the HARD in this past year, to direct my path. Thank you, dear one, for sharing your heart with us all!
A friend and I call this feeling the “Life is Too Good Scaries,” and it’s one we struggle with often (and, in my case, have for a long time). My therapist encouraged me to pause in those moments, take whatever it is I’m afraid of losing (usually a person), and turn that fear into gratitude instead.
“God, thank you for this good thing that brings me so much joy.”
It’s not an instant fix, but it’s a slow reframing that has helped over time. I absolutely loved this article and the idea of living in anticipation, and especially the imagery of free falling while knowing there’s a God who will catch us. Thank you 🩵
Anticipation. Rest, safety. Trust. God comes and catches. YES! So beautiful! Thank you, sweet Sara. 🤍
I’ve adopted Psalm 16:8-9 as my verses for 2025 - thank you for timely & precious gift!📖