A Lesion, a lump, and a biopsy. Two issues related to two body systems. Two doctor’s appointments in one day. Would this send me detouring down the bunny trail of anxiety? Everyone else seemed to be having much more fun that day, watching a total eclipse of the sun. My brother drove across two states to see it. A friend and her husband had traveled to Texas for the excitement. All that made me more prone to self-pity on my rough day.

So what did I do with my lesion, lump, and the likely need for a biopsy? A detour down the bunny trail of anxiety beckoned me: this could be cancer. What am I going to do? I may need a biopsy and excision, a realistic outcome I have faced before. The bunny trail of anxiety may start realistically, but then it makes a fast descent downward. What if the biopsy result shows cancer? What if I need chemo? Will I have to clear my schedule and my life to deal with this?!

The phrase future-tripping is how my friend Daphne describes that process of mentally starting to trip over obstacles that have not yet presented themselves. These concerns may never develop into problems, because my current assumptions might be false and never impact my future. A relevant Bible verse against future-tripping, or getting detoured down the bunny trail of anxiety, is:

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34 ESV

In other words, leave tomorrow’s anxiety for tomorrow. The context of that verse, Matthew 6:25-34, is Jesus’ description of food, drink, and clothing as basic needs that the heavenly Father provides for the birds, flowers, and grass. Jesus asks us to consider how much more God will take care of us. Jesus lays out the priorities: all these things will be added to us if we seek God’s kingdom and righteousness first. Verse 33 is the antidote for the bunny trail of anxiety, because when we seek God first, we do not need to be anxious for tomorrow.

In my head, I know this. And after reflective thoughts and editing, my words may later express this content. But when my mind is flooded with the stress of unknowns, I find it tough to live out those Bible verses. Breathe deeply. Repeat the Bible verses to myself. Ask God for help to avoid future-tripping or detours down the anxiety bunny trail. Don’t choose to worry when I can trust God instead:

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 ESV

Meditate on Psalm 46:10. Apply God’s Word to the concerns of my life: lesions, lumps, biopsies, and their related outcomes. My eclipse day was not an easy-breezy day. I left the first appointment with one skin biopsy and treatment for many superficial skin lesions. The next appointment challenged me to trust God even more. No matter the outcome, I need to be still and trust God as the Lord of my life.

Lord, please stop me from detouring down the bunny trail of anxiety. Teach me to trust you for all the unknowns. Not just to intellectually know that you provide but—deep in my soul and body—to completely trust you. Help me to be still and know that you are God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.