Three Things that Help Me Overcome Anxiety in the Face of Moving, Again

Lately I've been thinking about moving--just the act of it and everything that a move entails. Yes, Scott and I plan to move in the near future. If you missed it, see a recent video I made about it here.

I do not look forward to this move. Our plan is to move back toward family, either in Las Vegas or somewhere in Utah. To there from Pennsylvania is a major move, an expensive move, a long journey-type move.

There are so many things to consider: selling our current house and getting it ready to sell, making sure Scott has a job lined up wherever we go, having the money to move (so expensive), getting a new house (probably renting), making sure we are close to playgrounds and other activities for Berkley.... It's a lot to do and consider. It's overwhelming.

I feel a little anxious sometimes but there are a few things that have helped keep me grounded, optimistic, and at peace.

Three Things that Help Me Overcome Anxiety in the Face of Moving, Again

1. Personal Confirmation that All Things Shall Work Together for Our Good

We've known about this move now, that it would come eventually, for months. And I have worried about it. How can we make this move? We need money. We need to sell this house that we just bought. We need to find a new place to live. We need, need, need....

One day I was thinking through all these things while taking Obi, my dog, potty outside. As I stood on the porch, holding leash, waiting for him to do his business, I felt peace in my soul and a feeling of words telling me that God will take care of it.

My worries haven't ceased, but I have continued to feel the truth of that feeling. And in the last couple months, the words "All things shall work together for your good," have been swimming through my head. I believe God is telling me over and over, 'cause I always need those reminders, that it's in His hands. He's got this. He wants me to succeed. He knows the importance to make these things happen. He knows the details. He will guide us. He will take care of us.

2. The Story of Joseph in Egypt

This last week I have been reading the story of Joseph in Egypt found in the Bible. It's been a few years since I've read this story, and, of course, since I'm going through different things in life now, I'm getting some new insight from it that I've not had before.

Sometimes it is frustrating to think of all the moves we have made since our marriage. In almost all of our moves, we have thought, "This is it. This is where we'll be for a while." And then, as history has proven, we end up moving. Sometimes it has been because of need; other times it has been because we have felt a prompting from the Lord:

• Move from Washington state back to Utah: We felt a strong prompting at church that we followed

• Move from Eagle Mountain, Utah to Las Vegas (just me while Scott was deployed; we had to sell our house that I LOVED!): After a lot of prayer and crying, we felt a strong prompting to move in with my parents while Scott was away

• Move to Missouri: After a lot of prayer and discussion on where we should go, we felt prompted to move to rural Missouri (and we loved it and never, ever wanted to leave)

• Move to Pennsylvania: We felt a strong, unwanted, prompting from the Lord for Scott to take the job here

• Move back to the west: We have felt a strong prompting over months to make the move

We've moved a lot, and this doesn't include all of our moves, but it's the major ones in which we felt the Lord directing our lives.

I can't imagine what Jospeh felt all those years after being sold into Egypt and then rising in ranks with his position only to be put in Prison. Then to glimpse a possible way out after interpreting the baker's and butler's dreams, only to serve longer... Eventually he was made second to Pharaoh, but after so long and so much waiting and heartache.

And then his father and family... They had been promised the land of Canaan only to move to Egypt. It was years, long after Jacob had died, long after his son's had passed, before the family, their posterity, eventually returned to the land the Lord had promised them.

My situation is in no way like Joseph and Jacob's, except that the Lord is directing my path for His purposes. I can't see them. I have no idea where they will lead, but like the first thing mentioned in this list, the Lord is making all things work together for my good. I believe it. I believe Him.

3. Our Purpose for Moving

If you saw the video (see first paragraph above), you know our reason for moving, but I'll tell a bit of it here to remind.

After we bought this house in Pennsylvania and moved here, we went back to Missouri to visit my parents and some friends we love dearly there. On our way back home, both Scott and I turned to each other and admitted we felt we needed to move back to Utah. That since has morphed into possibly close to Utah, which is why we are looking at Las Vegas. The true conclusion we have come to, after much thought and prayer, is that we need to be close to family. Scott's family is all in Utah. Mine are between a few states, but most are ultimately headed either back to Utah or Las Vegas. And for the one brother who isn't, we would still be much closer to him by moving back west.

It's now been almost a year since we received this revelation and we feel the need to move stronger than ever. We don't know all the reasons. Some include wanting Berkley to grow up close to cousins, especially since she is an only child. We also want to be closer to our parents who are getting older and experiencing some health issues. Those reasons keep us going. It's our purpose, and we remind ourselves of this whenever we feel the overwhelm coming on.

The Move Hasn't Happened Yet

But it is coming. And, after writing this, I feel God near. He is in the details. He will take care of us. And he helps me everyday overcome anxiety in the face of moving.

This move is happening. I don't know when. But soon. I'll keep you updated.