When the pandemic hit, I felt a kind of anxiety I’d never known. Usually, I’m a “glass half full” person but the constant drumbeat of unsettling news—especially about climate change—left me sleepless and shaky. When the weather was strangely hot or the wind howled at 60 mph, my body went on high alert. 

I believe in the power of prayer and the truths of Scripture, but I recognized that I needed Jesus + Therapy. So, I met with a counselor who helped me to name what was underneath my fear.

The idea that changed everything

My therapist brought me back to something I’d first heard in college. I’ll call it “Square-Inch Theology”. Dutch theologian Abraham Kuyper said in the late 1800s, “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine!’” This is a reflection of  Psalm 24:1  “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.”

In simple terms: every square inch belongs to God.

Then the counselor asked me, “What is in your square inch—the part God is asking you to steward?”

I thought about my family. The work I do as I show up every day in the community (not about climate science, but still meaningful.) My friendships and the way I show up for others. That’s my square inch.

Then she asked another question that reframed my fear: “Do you trust that if God placed you in this square inch, God is also calling other people to the climate-change square inch? Are you a scientist? Do you want to spend your days in a lab? If not, can you entrust that square inch to those God has gifted for it?”

That landed. I live in a broken world, but God hasn’t asked me to carry every broken thing. While I tend to my square inch, others are faithfully tending to theirs. That doesn’t remove my responsibility to live wisely (reduce, reuse, vote thoughtfully, support those doing the work), but it releases me from trying to fix what I’m not equipped to fix. It invites trust.

Many parts, one body. Many square inches, one Lord. (1 Corinthians 12)

What this looks like in real life:

When anxiety flares, I practice these simple steps:

• Name it. “I’m feeling fear about _______.”
• Locate my square inch. “Where has God actually placed me today—home, work, neighborhood?”
• Act small and faithful. “What’s one loving, doable step I can take here?”
• Release in trust. “Who can I pray for who God has called to steward the square inches I can’t?”

Reflection questions

• Is this the square inch I’m called to make a difference in?
• What will need to shift so that I can do that with excellence and authenticity?
• Who can I pray for or support in that square inch?
• What is one small, faithful action I can take in my square inch today?

A simple prayer

Lord Jesus, everything is Yours. Calm my fears, focus my heart, and help me to be faithful in the square inch You’ve given me. And bless those You’ve called to the square inches I cannot carry. Amen.