Since March 2020, many have become proficient in channel or web surfing; however, that is not the kind of surfing I’m writing about today. I’d like to share an invitation to surf in a different way to help deal with the anxiety that the current cultural turbulence has stirred! And water is not required! Let me explain.
For me, it was one thing to deal with the ever changing “waves” of Covid-19 and our society’s differing and constantly fluxuating responses. But, then the churning sea of racial unrest, confusing voices, political bickering, and polarizing postures was added to the scene. It seemed the very foundations in our lives were crumbling or at least challenged; pounded by the barrage of the ever-crashing waves.
Like many of my clients, over this year, I have felt symptoms of anxiety. When I recognized this in myself, I began to practice the things, I know and teach my clients to do.
Here are some of the healthy coping strategies I suggest for clients:
Breathe.
Become aware of what you are feeling.
Identify and accept what you are feeling.
Be compassionate with yourself.
Talk with yourself, saying, “These feelings are a normal response to an abnormal situation.”
Use your mind to decide what to do with the feelings; I, like a child in need of comfort, turn to the Lord Jesus Christ who says, “In this world, you will have trouble, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b).
Take courage. Remember courage isn’t the absence of fear, but is the reason we need to “take courage,” and face the fear at the root of anxiety. After all, it is worthless to expend mental effort to avoid it. God’s word tells us we don’t need to go it alone, but can open to God’s presence always with us as we ride the current waves in our life: “Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace that transcends understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 In other words, do not continue to be anxious.
During this year, I pray and turn to the God who is bigger than Covid-19, more graciously merciful than all our unjust ways of treating one another, and wholly more powerful and preeminent over all governments and worldly powers. I turned to the God who is the Creator of all that is, and of all of us. I’ve asked God to be with me and to teach me midst the angry surf of our times.
So, what have I learned so far from all of this?
What came immediately into my mind were the words: “FLEX and BALANCE,” followed by a vision of a surfer purposefully riding into a beautiful but terrifyingly giant wave. The aim of surfing is to ride into the wave, through the wave, on top of the wave, not to avoid it. And this same image works with our anxiety.
I watched in my mind’s eye as the surfer flexed and balanced; responding to the ever churning, changing sea whirling and swirling all around her. Should she fall off, I noticed a leash like chord attached to her ankle and then to the board. Even if she loses her balance, the chord ensures she can hold on and rest and ride until ready to climb back on board and regain her stance. I noticed also, though the waves are always changing all around; the board remains the same. It is always the same shape. It always floats. It does not change. I realized I am the surfer; the sea is the ever-changing circumstance of this world. The board is the unchanging faithfulness of God and the leash is His promise that nothing can separate us from Him (Romans 8:28-39) and He is always with us on the ride (Isaiah 41:10). So, Surf’s up!
Recommended reading by a fellow surfer: “Expectation Hangover,” by Christine Hassler.
