'Do not be anxious about anything'

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

-Philippians 4:6-7

Lately, it's been hard not to be anxious.

Back in January, I learned that I had a detached retina in my left eye. By Jan. 15, I had the first of two procedures to correct the problem.

That seemed to fix it, but it erupted in a different spot in the same eye, so in late January I had surgery. Now, my left eye's vision is blurry, as expected after surgery. It's slowly improving. Slowly. And it's likely I'll need to have one or two more procedures for the same eye.

It's easy to fall into anxiety and worry about that vision as it slowly returns. But I'm trying - sometimes successfully - to place those worries in God's hands through prayer.

Paul offered these words to the Philippians to ease anxiety. How do you handle your own worries?

'Do not be anxious about anything'

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

-Philippians 4:6-7

Photo from the National Institutes of Health

Anxiety never helps.

Paul gave valid guidance to the Philippians. Instead of worrying, bring your issues to God. Now, did Paul say that's the only thing to do? No. It is, though, the first thing to do.

And recently, I saw stories that anxiety is linked to higher long-term risk of stroke:

The greater your anxiety level, the higher your risk of having a stroke, according to new research published in the American Heart Association journal Stroke.

The study is the first in which researchers linked anxiety and stroke independent of other factors such as depression. Anxiety disorders are one of the most prevalent mental health problems. Symptoms include feeling unusually worried, stressed, nervous or tense.

You might say that Paul was way ahead of his time in giving stroke prevention advice. Follow it!

'Straining toward what is ahead'

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

-Philippians 3:13-14

"Forgetting what is behind..."

I must admit, sometimes I look backward. Decisions made. Events that I had no control over. Tragedies and disappointments. Thrills and accomplishments.

And yet, those backward glances change nothing that is ahead. Yes, remembering lessons are important. But learning lessons and reliving the past are not the same thing.

Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, got it right: Strain toward what is ahead, and "press on toward the goal... ."

'Do not be anxious about anything'

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

-Philippians 4:6-7

I freely admit that a dozen years ago today, I was anxious.

Noon, at age 39, I lost the feeling and use of the right side of my body. I suddenly could not speak or read. Not a good day.

But a nearby colleague got me some help. The ambulance took me to the hospital. The doctors and others injected me with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Movement came back, slowly. Language skills came slower. My wife, standing by me, asked me to say the word "Jonesboro," the name of a nearby city where I had recently visited. My three responses: Towrith. Rithe. Rice. Not even close.

So you might be able to understand my anxiety. Would I ever be able to work again? How could I provide for my family? Would I ever be able to tell her I love her again?

But the anxiety slowly faded. Replaced by frustration as my recovery slowly occurred. To this day, when I'm tired or stressed, I have trouble finding the right words in speech. To this day, I wonder whenever I stumble over a word, I wonder: Was this caused by my stroke? I require much more concentration when I speak publicly. My formerly common glib, off-the-cuff comments are far less common these days. Been that way for 12 years.


But I finally did beat anxiety. My stroke and recovery reminded me that God gives me the strength I need. Not necessarily the abilities I want or what I think I need, but what I actually need. He will do the same for any and all.


Today, on my stroke anniversary day, I ran 10 miles in just under 90 minutes. And for that, I thank God. I realize that not every stroke survivor recovers completely. Stroke is the leading cause of permanent disability in the United States. Each recovery manifests itself in a different way. A relationship with God offers strength and help to any and all.

Today, I remind you to know the signs and symptoms of strokes - be aware so you can improve someone's recovery or event save a life.

(Image from Heartlight)

Strength with God - 13.1 miles

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

-Philippians 4:13

If you've been to this blog before, you know that I am an avid distance runner. Not speedy, just avid.

Running in the cold weather of January and February 2010 have been challenging. Lots of time running indoors and when outside, often bitter cold. Still, I'm convinced that running before my stroke helped me survive the ordeal, and good exercise could do the same for others. Even better, good exercise, plus other stroke prevention measures, can help someone avoid a stroke.

So I just sent in my signup for one of my favorite events - the Sedalia Half-Marathon, set for March 20. It's not a huge event but set in a very rural, friendly setting. I've done it twice before, each time praising God for the simple gift of running.

Paul struggled mightily in his day - but that same God gave him the strength to carry on. When you get weary, think about Paul's words. Strength can come in a physical sense, but even more importantly, it can come in the sense of faith - where real strength lies.

A note in passing...

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

-Philippians 4:6-7

It happened 11 years ago today. At least, that's when it happened to me.

On Friday, May 8, 1998, I found myself hit by a stroke working with a colleague who was smart enough to get me some help. The rest, as you might say, is history.

I was a devoted distance runner at the time and remain so. I will likely run 10 miles without stopping tomorrow (Saturday). Why do people run? Now, for me, it's an act of worship, thanking God that he gave me two strong legs - one of them twice.

This blog is my feeble attempt to provide help for fellow stroke survivors and those who care for them - in any capacity. I've prayed for those who have contacted me or I've heard about concerning their own circumstances or struggles. Anyone reading this can e-mail me anytime - jeff.porter@gmail.com - and you'll be in my prayers, too.

Do I completely understand what happened those 11 years ago? No. But as Paul wrote to the Philippians, God's peace surpasses understanding - leaving me under God's protection. It's there for you, too.

Straining toward the goal - no matter what

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

-Philippians 3:12-14

Many stroke survivors know what it's like to strain forward in recovery.

I had my own experience pressing toward a goal on Sunday, Nov. 2, finishing the Bass Pro Shops Conservation Marathon in Springfield, Mo. Didn't set a world record but did set a personal record of 4:40:38, which is better than 15 minutes faster than my last effort, pre-stroke in 1997.

Regardless of one's physical level, there's a goal we can strain for. The goal is winnable for all - as Paul's first sentence above talks about, it's not about being "perfect." But a perfect life with Christ is the ultimate prize.

Rejoice in the Lord always

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

-Philippians 4:4

So what's the key word in this one? How about:

Always.

For fellow stroke survivors and loved ones, "always" is difficult. I didn't exactly rejoice when I couldn't use one side of my body. I look forward to the day that the lesson is finally driven home: Rejoice. Always.

Why? Because in the final analysis, a stroke can't take away God. Can't remove you from him, can't remove him from you. No matter what happens, even death.

And for that, rejoice.

Paul's powerful words of death and gain

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

A passage from Philippians 1:21 that says it all - or at least volumes. Paul was profound in his thinking about what's important and what is to gain.

He's not begging to die in his statement in Philippians 1, but to make his priorities clear: despite his imprisonment, even the threat of death doesn't block him from Christ.

So any hurdle or obstacle in your way? Remember, you can still influence your fellow followers of Christ. Affecting one life can be a blessing.

Paul did it from prison. How can you?