When you’re sick, if it’s from the neck down, people will tell you to seek treatment, see a doctor, follow the doctor’s orders, take your medicine, take care of yourself, use every medical resource to get well. If it’s just skin deep, see a dermatologist. For heart trouble, a cardiologist. For coughing and wheezing, a pulmonologist....

If it’s from the neck up, however, when you’re feeling anxious, afraid, insecure, sad, stressed, depressed, lonely, discouraged, confused or overwhelmed, you might receive a different message: “suck it up,” “shake it off,” “get over it,” “put some dirt on it and move on,” “don’t worry about it,” “put it out of your mind,” “stop feeling sorry for yourself,” “don’t be a crybaby,” “stop your whining.”....

This begs the question, if suffering from the neck up makes us weak, does that mean some the greatest heroes in the history of salvation were just weak?

If ever I am overwhelmed by fear, anxiety, panic, be my xanax, not that I would be sedated or sleepwalk through life, but that I would awaken to the distinction between true threats and irrational fears and find the courage to have a seat at the table You have prepared for me in the presence of my enemies.