I dreamed about the end-times again last night. My dream included a sky of funnel-like clouds that dipped into every inch of a dark sky. A dreadful dreamer, I was at college, unprepared for some big assignment I knew nothing about. 

- A cataclysmic storm and the old "un-prepared at college" dream? Gosh I'm a bummer. 

Our professor had given us a mid-class break so the class was outside. The funnel clouds produced war-like spaceships that quickly invaded the air above head. Everybody ran and took shelter. Aliens (I guess ?) proceeded to zap everybody in sight with some sort of gun that turned us into zombies.  
 
.....And I don't even watch Sci-Fi. 
 
I'm assuming I dreamed this because of my remark just the other day that my reaction to undesired events is like that of Chicken Little. Bet I'm not the only one.  I act like the sky is falling. I overreact. I speak hopelessly and then hide (like I did in my dream). 

Another response to yucky stuff involves some sort of a rescue plan. I've got to fix the wrongs. 

Other times I get angry and sulk, or lash out. 

I usually wait until I become desperate before I throw my hands up to the one above my falling sky; the one who has set the moon and stars in their place. 
 
The last two weeks has been full of undesired events thanks to the Supreme Court and the derision found in a litany of FB comments thereafter (Add the confederate flag debate and Facebook has been a war zone).  We've had a nine-year-old with multiple bacterial infections, including pneumonia, with symptoms ranging from daily fever and vomit, pain and lethargy to asthma attacks and hives. There have also been a couple of other personal sad occasions. 
 
I've given time the past few days to think not so much about my feelings regarding these events, but more to my actual response. I'm being reminded that my response says much (maybe more)about my faith than my stated beliefs no matter how many times I express what I believe. 

The way I act, especially following bad times, either confirms my faith or shows a lack of it. 
 
Scripture today has given me a firm path to set my feet back on. God has a good word for the anxiety and anger that so easily well up in this heart of mine AND the spirit I find crushed in tough times. 
 

The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
 
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken spirit and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17
 
He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds Psalm 147:3

 
That makes me think we can expect (not welcome, but expect) that our hearts will be sick and burdened sometimes. These occasions God has said he will attend. 
 

Do not be anxious about anything. Philippians 4:6
 
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful,for building others up according to their needs, that may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:26
 

Trust in the Lord..... Proverbs 3:5
 
....man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires...... James 1:20
 
An anxious heart weighs a man down.... Proverbs 11:25
 
Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32

 
It's expected that we'll be angry, but God tells us that our anger "does no good". Likewise the only good outcome of worry is recognition that we are powerless without God. 

I'm finding the more passionately I feel about a matter the more my response ought to be measured carefully in prayer before responding outwardly even in cases where I'm sure I'm speaking on God's behalf. 
 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxieties on him.... be self-controlled and alert... 1Peter 5:6-8

 
When your heart is broken,  God is near.  
 
Cast your cares, your troubles on the Lord. God is near. 
 
-Your anger too. He'd rather you give it to him than you use it, venting foolishly or thinking his cause is furthered in fury. 

God is near. 
 
I'm also reminded to give thanks. 
 

The LORD is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy [even in times of grief,....maybe a little leap, but it leaps] and I will give thanks.... Psalm 28:7

Here are a few of the day's thanks:
 
Rylie's out of bed today feeling much better. 
     

   My cousin and his wife are expecting quadruplets in January. 

God is still on the throne. 

I'm not in college. 

It's summer. 

The Supreme Court hasn't made a ruling today.  

The sky isn't falling.

 In fact, the sun has shone all day.