Adult Separation Anxiety

by Heather Tietz

Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him for the saving help of his presence.

Psalm 42:5

Babies go through a stage of emotional development from about 6 months to two years old when they depend on their caregiver’s presence for comfort.

The moment Mom walks around the corner or Dad closes the door, separation anxiety sets in. Babies may panic, and often they cry until a comforting presence is within reach again.

Do we suffer from a sort of Separation Anxiety too? Our Caregiver never leaves us, but sometimes we can’t “see” Him. We can’t figure out where He is in the midst of our trouble. He seems to be around some celestial corner.

Trouble is a normal part of everyday life. We don’t live in Heaven yet. When trouble comes and our heart begins to race and our muscles tighten, we need to remind ourselves that God hasn’t walked away. “Why am I despairing? Why am I acting like there is no hope, no God, no comfort, no good?” God is still here! If we are standing in sin, perhaps He has put us in a time-out, but He is still near. If we are standing innocent, then God is surely caring for us in the midst of this fallen world, whether we “see” Him or not.

Pray

God,
Open my eyes so I can see You, So, I can see how Your powerful hand is rescuing me. In Christ’s Holy Name, Amen