About the Author

Melissa Zaldivar is a social in the world of academics and an academic in the world of socials. She's an author and podcast host with a BA in Communications and an MA in Theology. She loves a good sandwich, obscure history, and wandering around New England antique shops.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. I appreciate this Melissa as one who seems to be always having some kind of anxiety going on. And when I experience turbulence on a plane, I go into prayer mode and think of how Jesus calmed the waters. In my mind I know God is with me, I just wish I can remember that before all the worry.

  2. This is a great quote, “ When I panic, Jesus is not rolling his eyes – He is rolling up His sleeves.”

    A refreshing perspective on handling anxiety.

    • I agree! Melissa created a powerful visual to hold onto during moments of anxiety.

  3. Melissa, I love this!! What a beautiful visual to help us through the stressful moments.

  4. “…as I have started to allow my helplessness to stay, it reminds me of my hopefulness that Jesus also stays.”

    Love that line, and these words, and their author.

    xo

  5. Excellent devo, Melissa.
    Thank you for sharing! The tangible cross, a reminder that he is with us – so simple yet so profound.
    Blessings to you.

  6. Melissa-Thank you for sharing. I too have known the anxiety and raw fear that hits with panic attacks. Your gentle words are comforting.

  7. Oh my gosh, panic-attack girlie here – thank you! Thank you for putting words to exactly what I’ve started doing. I just sit there and let it roll, and pretty soon it’s gone. I don’t do this while driving or in public, but when I’m at home, I practice it. I need to start facing this in public too.

  8. Melissa thank you for this wonderful message. It is so true everything in you have said. I find in the mist of panic when asked by a Family member to something for someone. To help extra when done so much for this person to help them all ready. I take panic and think I am Christian. If I don’t do what they are asking me to the extra for this person. When do so much for this person to help them. They could say your not being very Christian. Use blackmail that way. They can go on to say well that not being a good Christian. You should do it and do the Christian thing. I then get into a panic. End up doing it for peace sake. To avoid them saying that. As had things like that said to me before. They are not saved but they use the blackmail my using the word Christian to get me to do it. By saying what I just said. If didn’t do that not very Christian of you. Then I got from them say your Christian you say. If you say you are you not mind doing it. They don’t stop to think. I been helping the person out and done lots of things for them. Out of Love of the Lord and Love for them. Then I hear Jesus rolling up his eyes to say I hear for you. Don’t let them blackmail you by using the word Christian in what they say to get you do it. And make you feel your not being Very Christian if don’t do it. To help this person you been helping alot. I hear Jesus also say stand up to them in a nice kind way. Say you done your bit to help them. You need to go home and rest. You can’t do any more or you will get to tired and collapsed thenbe no good to help the person you have been helping that day alot. Another day and you have to think of you and your health. People like that that use the blackmail do care. It all about getting you to what they want you to do. They say oh Dawn will do it. Thinking I will jump and do as they say all the time. I have to listen to Jesus and sometimes say no. I helped this person enough today. Just say all nicely to them. I have to sometimes think of my health and they don’t like it and say no. Jesus is supporting me to do that. I have to say I didn’t mind helping them in all I done this day to help them. I help another day for them. Thank you for the reading excellent. Love Dawn xx ❤️

  9. I really, really, really needed to hear your message today. This quote of yours got me…”When I panic, He is not rolling his eyes — He is rolling up His sleeves.” It’s going in my favorite quotes book, and in my mind to remember what I have those moments of panic or despair. Thank you for blessing us today with your sweet and transparent message.

  10. Dear Melissa…….Thank you so much for your story. You can’t even imagine how much it means to me. I had panic attacks since I was 5 years old, although Nobody knew what they were back then in the 50’s. This went on through my college years, my wedding, having my child and even into the marriage. I know there were two things that could have started it. When I was 3, my parents took me for swimming lessons and someone “joking around” picked me up and threw me in the pool. I sunk to the bottom and someone had to rescue me. I have been terrified of water all my life. The other thing was when my grandfather died, they took me to the viewing and sat me in another room with my Dad. At some point my mother came and picked me up. Many, many years later when I was 35, I asked my mother 2 questions. Did I go to Grandpop’s funeral and she said yes, but you didn’t see him. OK,I have one more question. Did you pick me up at 1 point and were the blanket and inside his casket, pink? She started crying and said, you did see him. My Lord, how could this have happened? I still kept getting the panic attacks but as I got more familiar with my church and I had always prayed a lot, I realized that Jesus must have been there with me. After that I haven’t had anymore since I was 40, but it really still sticks in my mind. My minister told me that God does not promise that we will not have any struggles in our lives, but someone will be there with us always. I have to say thank you again as your story eased my mind, as I never knew anyone else except that one guy in college that even knew what a panic attack was. You women are absolutely marvelous and I am going to post this and then go to Day 73 to read the story and write my journal………………………………Your friend…….Betsy Basile

  11. Melissa,,

    There is so much great wisdom here. This especially hit me: “When I panic, He is not rolling his eyes — He is rolling up His sleeves.” Never thought about Him in that way.

    Jesus meets us when we are facing deep heartache or going on a first date or doing the dishes or making impossible parenting decisions. My story is about a date. I was driving over to my boyfriend’s house. My anxiety was up there. Did I make a wrong choice? What will happen? Just then I turned on the radio & the song “God is in Control” came on.. I yelled those lyrics & calmed my nerves. I knew that Jesus was with me & nothing bad will happen.

    Blessings 🙂