Share your stories of a congregation’s death bringing life to others or of the death of something in your congregation leading to new life. Send 300 words or less by Nov. 28 by email or to Sonia C. Solomonson, The Lutheran, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631.
used to wake up feeling anxious in the morning. Tension in my back. An empty, queasy feeling in the stomach, a feeling almost like choking or drowning. The worries of the day burdened me already as I woke. 
In the middle of this anxiety, God came into my life in some unique ways. First I met a counselor who helped me talk and pray through the anxiety. A prescription helped me through some depression and anxiety related to it.
I don’t want to discount how valuable counseling and medicine were in my healing. But what truly keeps me generally free from anxiety on a daily basis is what happened to me when I was 1-month-old. That event included water and these words: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” The most anxiety freeing moment of my life was simple, beautiful and life-giving. I was baptized.
The rest of this article is only available to subscribers.
© 2013 Augsburg Fortress, Publishers
