What Me, Worry? Dealing with Anxiety in the LGBTQIA+ World

Sunday, November 9, 2025

Jody Davis RN LISW (she/her)

Lay Person, Lord of Life Lutheran Church (Columbus, OH) Queer Christian

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 4:6-7, NIV)

So, um, as you probably already know somehow, I am not a pastor. I don’t have an MDiv. Have never been to bible college, and lately haven’t been going to church much. So…maybe don’t listen to me. These two verses are some of the only ones I have memorized. And I try and send up my requests to god, especially when I’m anxious. I have a lot to be anxious about, being a trans female person two weeks before a presidential election. When just about every ad on TV is how our incumbent Ohio senator thinks it’s ok for illegal immigrants to perform trans affirming services on unsuspecting children in public schools, or something like that. We’re in a climate in Ohio, where students much younger than me, when talking to their friends and mention something odd or out of touch with society, they just say to their friends, “gawd, that is So Ohio!”

So…back to Philippians. So many of us feel out of control. We don’t feel safe in our state, maybe not even in our neighborhoods. And it feels like a lot of people are going to vote, without even thinking of how that might hurt us Queer people. Like we are just irrelevant!

OK. I just made things worse. Hmm. So…we are called to pray to God, and find the peace of God, which is bigger than us. Bigger than our current worries, our current politics.

And historically speaking, there were gay people all throughout history. And us fags have always had to struggle, seemingly more than those straights down the street. So, I suppose we are not Alone. And we have the arc of justice behind us. And we have faith for a better life, in God’s kingdom on earth. Or something like that…

Reflection

Would Jesus be as worried as I am right now? Jesus seemed to love the Queers and the rejects. What did he know that I don’t?

What can we control, and what can we not? Are we taking on more responsibility than we can chew?

Action

Do not despair! Do not let your hearts be troubled. Gandalf is still alive! Talk to your friends at church, be active with groups like LOVEboldly and Equipping Ministries. Be a Light in the darkness of the world!