Blair Linne can tell you exactly when the ground under her feet fell through. Starting in 2015, she experienced crippling anxiety and panic attacks that spiraled her down a staircase into a basement of dark discouragement and shame. Sometimes, the journey downward was so intense it landed her in the Emergency Room. Like many Christians, knew she "should" cast her frustrations onto God and process with him, but instead of starting the journey, she blurted out instead: "I. Don't. Know. How!"
In the harrowing season that followed--through the episodes of terror, rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing, trembling, dizziness, chills, intrusive thoughts, and even the fear of dying--Blair learned just how quickly she would have to give up the typical quick fixes, simple answers, and theological band-aids she had always previously relied on. As the anxiety waves would come crashing over her, many times without warning and without permission, she realized the truth: this was a complex issue, and there was no bypassing it. No sprinkling it with wishful thinking or spiritual platitudes. No willing herself out of it as if she were a bulletproof demigod.
The only way was
through it, in tender awareness of her weakness and delicate humanity,
with God.
On this side of the valley (though she still battles moments of anxiety in lighter measure now), Blair has come to appreciate even the worst moments of her story, for it has given her a felt and confident epiphany of what it means to be human, what it actually means to lean into the Lord, and what it looks like to walk with a limp and a love for fellow strugglers. With profound lessons learned on the other side, Blair now rejoices in her affliction, for it has taught her to tremble in a new way: in awe of God.
With biblical reflection woven together with gripping narrative, journey with Blair in
Made to Tremble and experience not only the God of Peace--but the peace of God.
