What makes you nervous?
The daily prompt asks: “What makes you nervous?” My instant response is: “What doesn’t make you nervous?” Living in this world, everything makes you nervous; every “do” or “don’t do” grips your nerves day and night.
Freedom to do or not to do is itself a nerve‑cracking routine. Freedom is precious and sought after by everyone. Yet the fear of losing freedom keeps one’s life on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Losing control of one’s freedom is sometimes inevitable, but handing over one’s own freedom to others is most dreadful. Fear puts you in constant nervousness, and constant nervousness tortures you round the clock. A hectic day leads to a restless night, month after month, year after year.
In my career, I dealt with many nervous children and their parents who were brought before me for a formal caution due to breaking the law. My advice to the children was that they should never again hand over the control of their freedom to others. The vast majority did not break the law again, forging ahead on the right path.
Never handing over the control of one’s life to others starts with wisdom and courage. Children need to be guided, and so do adults. Who is there to guide them? I believe that God guides and provides. God’s words keep me calm and focussed on daily issues, including the tough ones. I do what I have to do and leave the rest to God. My faith breeds confidence, and confidence eliminates nervousness. A clear conscience is a soft pillow, leaving no room for nervousness.
The Lord Jesus Christ says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Will you come to Him?
May my poem provide some food for thought:
“One in Safety and Danger” ~ ✨
To dwell in safety yet fear the harm—
Think too large, and you forge your own alarm.
To dwell in danger yet long for peace—
Think too small, and your life’s vigor will cease.
All life’s changes turn on trust or doubt—
For those with faith, though danger looms about,
A hidden safety still remains in sight.
✨✨💖 ~
en yan hua fang 