Easing anxiety for others by Kelley Barton

“Do not let your hearts be weighed down with anything. Instead, with every step you take, send your voice to the Great Spirit, asking him for the things you need. And in all your prayers remember to give him thanks. Then the peace and harmony of the Great Spirit, which goes far beyond our small and weak ways of thinking, will watch over your hearts and minds through the Chosen One, Creator Sets Free (Jesus).”

(Philippians) Small Man to the Sacred Family in Village of Horses 4:6-7 FNVNT

 We were at an anniversary party recently and the host asked my husband where I was. His reply was “Kelley found another Rainbow person to talk to”. He was right. I gravitate towards the LGBTQ+ people. At that moment, I was telling a young trans woman how beautiful she looked. Her eyes seem to sparkle as she let my words seep into her heart.

 I wanted to make she felt welcome, seen, to listen to her. I look for an opportunity to say the words they often wish their parents would say. To hear that they were created perfectly by God. That they are valued. That they are beautiful.

 There can be a lot of anxiety for some in the LGBTQ+ community. As an Ally, the little things we say can help ease that anxiety. Often they have been subjected to so much “small and weak ways of thinking”, as the First Nation’s translation of Philippians 4:67-7 states.

 In Zach Lambert’s wonderful book, “Better Ways To Read the Bible”, on page 172 in a Chapter titled “Lenses That Promote Healing”, he writes:

 “…having just one accepting adult reduces the risk of a suicide attempt among LGBTQ+ young people by 40 percent”.

 That is SIGNIFICANT!

 As we think about how to use prayer to relieve our own anxiety, perhaps we can also pray that God will bring us opportunities to relieve a bit of the anxiety from our LGBTQ+ community.

 Let’s not just be Allies in name, but in the many small ways we can make a difference in someone’s life.