Worry, Autism, and God’s Big Plan

by | Aug 10, 2017 | God's grace | 3 comments

Some of you may know that by day I am a speech-language pathologist with a specialty in Autism, but to be perfectly honest, most days the kids I serve teach me much more than I think I teach them. Their perspectives, strengths, and needs bring a fresh look into a world that can become to automated, predictable, and loud.

anxiety-2019928_1920.jpgI’m also a woman who struggles with worry. Sure, it’s not a sin to have healthy concern, but ‘worry’ is that almost-obsessive fear or distractible nervousness that alters your thinking and behavior. Another word for worry might be anxiety.

The Bible has some great things to say about worry/anxiety and casting our cares on Christ, but really, how can we do that? Life has big problems! Kids get sick, money gets tight, safety isn’t promised, health isn’t secure. Isn’t there plenty to really worry about?

Beginning.pngMy kids with Autism have an expectation when they come to see me for therapy. They know that when they walk in the door of my therapy room they’ll see a dry-erase board with the schedule for their session. The beginning, middle, and end. The whole session is set up in a nice checklist of expectations because…not knowing what’s going to happen next is really scary for these kids. Schedules, plans, and expectations help keep their hearts/minds calm so they can learn. There are so many things they ‘can’t’ control, like the people and sounds around them, so knowing what to expect is important for their peace of mind and heart.

We’re the same way, you know?

God will give you strength... and best friends to remind you of it. And lend their strength too. Saranghae my dongsaengIt’s interesting how this very understanding should impact a Christian’s heart when he/she is tempted to worry. We all like control in some form or other. Managing a schedule or employees or kids or health. Sorting through where finances are going. Feeling like we have our futures planned out and our emotions amiably adjusted.

When unexpected things happen, it can send us into a ‘meltdown’ of uncertainty and fear.

Here’s the good news in the middle of the spin-cycle.

As Christians, we serve a God who is Alpha and Omega – beginning and end. The Creator of all time, space, and schedules. The Ultimate planner. The Keeper of our hearts, minds, and futures.

And though the Bible isn’t crystal clear on exactly what’s going to happen on which day, it IS clear on the beginning, middle, and end…well, there’s really not going to be a definitive end since we really DO get to live that happily-ever-after, but you get my point 😉

God has written this page into the story of our livesThe point is…

Life can get messy, scary, hard, and dark.

Plans may fall apart.

Expectations crumble.

And yet…God has written this page into the story of our lives knowing exactly what happens in the next sentence, on the next page, and in the next chapter.

The schedule is there and the Author lets us know He’s with us all the way.

3 Comments

  1. Susan

    I sooooo needed this today. I woke up at 4:00 and could not go back to sleep. Thinking about all of the things I need to accomplish before students walk into my classroom next week. Thank you

    Reply
  2. Lori Smanski

    This is a great post. A wonderful reminder. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  3. Haley Resseguie

    Pepper, I needed this today. My kids started at a new school today and my husband is switching jobs this week. To say it’s been a stressful week is an understatement! I hate change so God is really getting an earful from me this week. Thank you for the reminder that I don’t know all the details but He does and I can trust Him with my kids, my husband, and our family.

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Meet Pepper

Subscribe to Blog

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This