Obstacles & Anxiety

Based on my work in the tech support field, I often wonder about some of the obstacles facing some of my friends on the other side of the phone. Whether it’s a password that needs reset, an issue with an application or just a fear of using something new, technology can be very confusing and even scary at times. I should know! I still get confused! Especially whenever a new software or project needs tested, I’ve been known to have nightmares about it!

You know what I’m talking about, don’t you? You know, those dreams where you sit for hours on end, just staring at your Android or iPhone wondering how to synch up your Mail, Contacts and Calendar. Or the ones where you look at the warm glow of your computer (PC and/or Mac, technology nightmares have no favorites), looking on with tears as that presentation you spent weeks putting together gets corrupted without warning. Or maybe you’re like me and these scenarios have happened in real time and not just in nightmares. Well let me give you some words of encouragement my friend! You are not alone! Whether a tech savvy veteran or a novice, technology strikes fear in the hearts of everyone at some point.

With all this being said, I’ve decided to fill you in on a little secret that’s helped me face my anxiety through the years. In fact, it’s a biblical principle that you can apply to almost any area of your life that causes worry and anxiety.

It’s called patience.

That’s right. I apologize if you were expecting a much more exciting answer. I really do! Nonetheless, it is still effective, especially considering that dealing with fear is a really a matter of your mental state and how you decide to process it and what you’re going to do about it. No, it may not automatically give you the answer that you need for that last minute deadline. In fact, I can guarantee that most of the time you won’t get the answer you need fast enough. However, what patience will do is calm you down to the point to where you can think more clearly and start putting the pieces of the puzzle together, without the haze of stress and anxiety clouding your focus. So actually patience and focus are the keys! They go hand in hand. Like peanut butter and jelly.

So although there are many things that can help all of us overcome our fears and obstacles, I hope this little piece of advice is helpful to you. Maybe the next time one of your login accounts locks up, or that church video clip won’t play during the special music, you’ll think about patience. Or maybe when the words of a worship song freeze up in the middle of worship, you can take a deep breath until the correct words load. Patience. It may not resolve the issue but it’s a great place to start to find the answer.

James 5:7-8 “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.  You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”