Anxious for Nothing

Sunday, March 16, 2025

Second Sunday in Lent

Carla Miner (she/her)

Pastor

Allied Christian

“...For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for

disaster, to give you a future and a hope...” – (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT)

[God] has made everything beautiful in its time... (Ecclesiastes 3:11, NIV)

These Bible verses have been following me around, stubbornly, for the last four months. And these last four months have been...something. In that time, I’ve graduated seminary, completed clergy licensing school, accepted my first pastoral appointment, and – almost immediately – resigned from that appointment. Needless to say, it’s been a lot. And my mental health hasn’t remained unaffected.

If you’re reading this devotional, then you probably already know that it’s Bisexual Health

Awareness Month. So, let’s talk about Bisexual health – specifically, B+ mental health. Did you

know that our Bisexual+ siblings experience worse mental health than their peers? The Human Rights Campaign reports that Bisexual adults report “double the rate of depression and higher rates of binge drinking” than heterosexual adults. And our Bi+ siblings “are also more likely to engage in self-harming behaviors, attempt suicide or think about suicide than heterosexuals, lesbians or gay men.”

What are we, as allies and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, to do about this? I don’t

know, but I have a thought: I recently learned that our brains may only be capable of processing one emotion – either anxiety or gratitude – at any one time. This is because one part of our brain processes both of these emotions – and so, our brains can only process one of these emotions at a time. If this is true, then maybe we can improve our mental health outcomes by training our brains to focus on the things we’re grateful for – instead of all the things we’re anxious about. I’m willing to give it a try! Are you?

Today, I’m grateful to serve a God whose plans for us are good, and who makes everything

beautiful in its time. What are you grateful for? I’m praying that whatever it is, it brings you an

absolute joy that casts out all your anxiety! Be at peace.