The Ostrich

I have been struggling with my annual bout of anxiety and depression. 

I must admit that I have been coping much better in recent years by catching it earlier,noticing triggers, practicing coping skills and throwing out unrealistic thinking.

Sounds easy, right? It isn't. It is constants work. 

Stress is high and that's a trigger for me. Work has been difficult lately with trying to get through that training and getting our truck passed too. 

Then I have friends that are hurting for various reasons and this makes me hurt.

And I have good stress to like upcoming vacation,a new grandchild, and a new daughter in law.

Recently I have allowed my self confidence level to drop. I listened to the deceiver tell me that no matter what I will never be a good enough wife, mother,  grandmother, worker, Christian, etc.

 And then I did the worst thing, I started to compare myself to those that I admire in those areas.

This is where I had to slam on the brakes of my thinking. I had to destroy those thoughts entirely. I may not be the same as so and so, or as (fill in this blank) as so and so, but I am unique. God made us each differently. And what makes you special, might not work for me. 

This reminds me of a word picture from the Book of Job about the ostrich. 

The ostrich is a bird. But it cannot fly. It is not a very smart bird for the most part either. Well, just listen to what Is written:

“The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, though they cannot compare with the wings and feathers of the stork. She lays her eggs on the ground and lets them warm in the sand, unmindful that a foot may crush them, that some wild animal may trample them. She treats her young harshly, as if they were not hers; she cares not that her labor was in vain, for God did not endow her with wisdom or give her a share of good sense. Yet when she spreads her feathers to run, she laughs at horse and rider. (Job 39:13-18 NIV)

So, what can I take from this illustration?

I do not have to be like everyone else. If I live according to my gifts and talents, I will have no reason to hide my head in the sand.

Pray for me, please.