5 Things to Remember When You’re Faced With Decision Paralysis
There’s a queue behind me all the way out the door. People are frowning, shuffling on the spot, trying to peer around me. I know I’m keeping them waiting, but I just can’t decide.
Madeleine grew up as a third-culture kid on the missions field, and learned early on the power of telling stories that connect people across cultures, classes and nationalities. Now, as a young adult living in Australia, Madeleine uses her writing as a way to make sense of the world, and to point people to the story of hope and grace found in Jesus. When she's not at Anxious Faith or buried under a weighted blanket writing stories, you'll find Madeleine playing soccer, fishing with her husband, or sewing a new dress.
There’s a queue behind me all the way out the door. People are frowning, shuffling on the spot, trying to peer around me. I know I’m keeping them waiting, but I just can’t decide.
It’s day four of our 10-day honeymoon, and I’m sitting by a little gas fire, alone. My husband and I have been looking forward to our honeymoon for weeks. But this trip is not quite what I hoped it would be.
I was an anxious child. At four I paced around with a little frown, asking serious questions, and trying to prepare myself for the big wide world.
At 12, I would lie awake with a churning stomach and restless thoughts. I’m 23 now, and the anxiety hasn’t disappeared.
It’s 1am, and I can’t sleep. My heart is heavy and my mind is full of unpleasantness.
I shouldn’t be feeling like this. I’ve spent the past few days having a great time with people I love. But still, seeing the Instagram stories from dozens of friends who are hanging out at something I wasn’t invited to—it hurts. A lot.
A friend asks me through the flames, “So, Maddy. What have you been doing these last few months?”
The fire crackles. I feel the eyes on me. It’s my turn to share, and suddenly, socializing doesn’t seem so easy and pleasant.
What have I been doing?
YMI (which stands for Why Am I?), is a platform for Christian young people all over the world to ask questions about life and discover their true purpose. We are a community with different talents but the same desire to make sense of God’s life-changing word in our everyday lives.
YMI is a part of Our Daily Bread Ministries.
Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible,
New International Version® NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission of Biblica, Inc. ® All rights reserved worldwide.
The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.®