CALM: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World
The weight of anxiety and depression can feel overwhelming, making even the simplest tasks seem insurmountable. According to the World Health Organization, 322 million people worldwide live with the symptoms of anxiety or depression. We serve a loving God who does not want His people to suffer. “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you,” 1 Peter 5:7.
Debbie came into Center of Hope’s Springtown location looking for hope. Her family was struggling financially, and she was feeling lost and overwhelmed. Her husband had received a devastating medical diagnosis and began drinking heavily. When he was drinking, he became physically abusive. Debbie was living in fear and felt she had nowhere to turn.
Our Springtown Coordinator, Misti, began meeting with Debbie on a regular basis. They developed a rapport, and over time Debbie began to share more about her past. On one visit with Misti, she revealed that she had tragically lost her daughter in 2011. Misti encouraged her to attend one-on-one counseling sessions and join CALM class to help her work through her anxiety and depression.
CALM is a 5-week class addressing how to have peace in a chaotic world. Based on the book Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado, this class helps participants celebrate God’s goodness, ask God for help, learn to leave their concerns with God, and meditate on good things.
The week prior to the first CALM class, Debbie’s sister passed away. “I almost didn’t go to class because I was exhausted and emotionally spent, but something told me to just go,” Debbie remembers. “The class was exactly what I needed, and I’m thankful that God brought me here.”
The class provided Debbie with a community of women who were struggling with similar issues. “We created a safe environment for Debbie to share her experiences, and she was very interactive with the curriculum. On our last day, she told us she truly felt this class had transformed her life by giving her tools to apply in combating her anxiety,” shared class leader, Shelly. Through CALM class, Debbie has grown closer to God and knows that He is the light of hope shining brightly in her life.
