Page 57 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2023 - Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS

drown a crop, and a drought can dry up a HOPE:
crop. Rain is good in the winter and spring to
help the seeds sprout and grow. Rain during The remedy to overcoming fear and anxiety
harvest time is not good as mud makes it is hope. Hope is expecting good things to
impossible to get the harvesters into the happen, “the expectation of a certainty—
fields, and rain (especially on cotton) lowers something that has not happened yet but
the quality of the crop. Along with rain, there without a doubt, will happen.” There will be
is the dreaded hail, which can wipe out a storms in life. Some storms present danger
crop in a few minutes. And after the land and should be feared. The tarantula incident
dries, the wind can destroy a crop as it blows at camp was a real fear for that moment, Inspiration
dirt across the tender plants. At harvest time, but I didn’t continue to live in anticipation
long hours in the field are the reward for of encountering monster arachnids! There
persevering through the storms and trials. is no need to live in a “prison of anxiety”
When a farmer plants seeds, he focuses on about the future. We must choose to live
the expected positive outcome. He hopes with hope. Jesus calmed the raging storm
and believes the seeds will sprout and plants for His disciples. The peace within Jesus was
will grow and produce an abundant harvest. greater than the storm around Him. To calm
The dictionary definition of anxiety is “a the storm, the chaos in your life, you must
state of apprehension caused by perception intentionally grow the peace inside of you.
of possible future misfortune or danger.” We will not always understand what God is
Anxiety imagines that the worst will happen. up to, but we must come to trust Him with
Max Lucado says, “The presence of anxiety our lives and loved ones. May we all become
is unavoidable, but the prison of anxiety is less anxious in this chaotic world by growing
optional.” Overcoming anxiety is essential closer to the One who is the giver of hope
for being a successful farmer. and peace.

“Do not be anxious about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will
be anxious for itself. Sufficient
for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:34

ANNA PURDUE | REALTOR

The Jim Archer Team
806.789.8396
anna@steadfast-realty.com
2201 University Avenue
Lubbock, TX 79410
www.steadfast-realty.com

Lubbock Senior Link 57