Words for the Anxious Life
Words for the Anxious Life
“Anxiety Weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” Proverbs 12:25
She couldn't put her finger on the source, really. She began to notice it creeping into every crevice of her life. At work, right before the big meeting; on the drive home, with all the crazy drivers; when she opened the mailbox and saw another bill. The anxiety meter kept inching higher and higher. She could she could feel it in her stomach . . . And in her soul.
What should she do? What should all of us do? Anxiety seems to plague our society like never before. Despite the huge uptick an anti-anxiety medication prescriptions, we still find ourselves frenzied and fretting about many things. Yet Jesus says, “Fear not!” But how can we keep from worrying? We wonder. Can't He see how huge our problems are? Jesus words are powerful in a way ours aren't. His command comes with supernatural power, and the promise of lasting peace. The key? Remembering His presence is with us! The God who controls the storm stands with us, ready to steady our hearts even as we start to panic. What hope for us! One of the most important steps toward living a fear free life is lowering our guard before God, pouring out our hearts, and letting Him minister to us. As we begin to live shamelessly before Him, we learn to leave fear in the dust.
And what a breath of fresh air we can bring to those around us when we help them remember our sovereign Savior, who quiets the storm with three simple words: “Peace be still!” Mark 4:39.
+++
As I sit to write my response to this article, I'm in the truck in front of a doctor's office in Lubbock with Sam. As most of you know I tend to work ahead, and the message for this Sunday is on fear and anxiety. The devotion we have before us today is on anxiety. I believe God is trying to tell me something.
If there's one thing I am personally acquainted with it is anxiety and the stress that comes along with it. It has been a rough Road and at times I have felt beaten down and worn out. But what I do know is that God has been with me every step of the way, and I have just struggled to let go of the control and allow God to be God in my life. I'm probably not the best one to write about anxiety because I still struggle with it. What I do know is that God's Word is true and He is faithful.
One of the deepest sources of anxiety for many is the idea of being alone. I know that because of my childhood and past I have struggled at times when I was alone. The very thought of having to journey through life by myself causes stress in my life. But what is the truth? Am I really alone? Are any of us truly alone? It may feel like it at times, but what is the promise God has given to us?
Jesus said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” This means that our loving Savior has pledged Himself to always be with us. He has also sent forth His Spirit to live united with our human spirit. It was Paul who said, “Do you not know that you are the temple of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you?” We are not forsaken and we are never alone.
So why do we feel so alone, stressed, and anxious at times? The reason is that we have grown accustomed in trusting the seen more than the unseen. We can see our spouse, our friends, our co-workers, etc. We can’t really see God. That does not mean He is not with us, it just means we need to learn how to recognize His presence.
God has told us how to do this, but we simply refuse to do it! Word and Prayer is the answer! It is not really that difficult! When we read the Word it is God talking to us. When we pray it is we who are talking to God. But we have grown to believe the Word of God is from an ancient time and for an ancient time. We forget what God has spoken to us in Hebrews 4:12; “For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
The Word of God has the ability to speak to the depths of our soul and reveal the truth to us. When we listen to God speak to us the Holy Spirit is working in the Word to touch and change our hearts, and when our hearts change our whole life changes. All the sudden we our fears and anxiety are overridden by the presence of God in our lives. He has the answers for all our fears. He wants to draw close to us and give us peace. However, God will not force Himself on us. He extends the offer of forgiveness, life, and His abiding presence to us but His desire is for us to come to Him freely.
All we have to do is accept His offer and then abide in His presence. When we do this, all our fears begin to melt away. The anxiety and stress we have been carrying begin to dissipate and we find ourselves living with the ability to look to the future with hope.
It is my prayer for you as well as myself that we will learn each day what it means to hold onto God because in Christ, He is holding onto each one of us.
In Christ,
Pastor Russ
“Anxiety Weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” Proverbs 12:25
She couldn't put her finger on the source, really. She began to notice it creeping into every crevice of her life. At work, right before the big meeting; on the drive home, with all the crazy drivers; when she opened the mailbox and saw another bill. The anxiety meter kept inching higher and higher. She could she could feel it in her stomach . . . And in her soul.
What should she do? What should all of us do? Anxiety seems to plague our society like never before. Despite the huge uptick an anti-anxiety medication prescriptions, we still find ourselves frenzied and fretting about many things. Yet Jesus says, “Fear not!” But how can we keep from worrying? We wonder. Can't He see how huge our problems are? Jesus words are powerful in a way ours aren't. His command comes with supernatural power, and the promise of lasting peace. The key? Remembering His presence is with us! The God who controls the storm stands with us, ready to steady our hearts even as we start to panic. What hope for us! One of the most important steps toward living a fear free life is lowering our guard before God, pouring out our hearts, and letting Him minister to us. As we begin to live shamelessly before Him, we learn to leave fear in the dust.
And what a breath of fresh air we can bring to those around us when we help them remember our sovereign Savior, who quiets the storm with three simple words: “Peace be still!” Mark 4:39.
+++
As I sit to write my response to this article, I'm in the truck in front of a doctor's office in Lubbock with Sam. As most of you know I tend to work ahead, and the message for this Sunday is on fear and anxiety. The devotion we have before us today is on anxiety. I believe God is trying to tell me something.
If there's one thing I am personally acquainted with it is anxiety and the stress that comes along with it. It has been a rough Road and at times I have felt beaten down and worn out. But what I do know is that God has been with me every step of the way, and I have just struggled to let go of the control and allow God to be God in my life. I'm probably not the best one to write about anxiety because I still struggle with it. What I do know is that God's Word is true and He is faithful.
One of the deepest sources of anxiety for many is the idea of being alone. I know that because of my childhood and past I have struggled at times when I was alone. The very thought of having to journey through life by myself causes stress in my life. But what is the truth? Am I really alone? Are any of us truly alone? It may feel like it at times, but what is the promise God has given to us?
Jesus said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” This means that our loving Savior has pledged Himself to always be with us. He has also sent forth His Spirit to live united with our human spirit. It was Paul who said, “Do you not know that you are the temple of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you?” We are not forsaken and we are never alone.
So why do we feel so alone, stressed, and anxious at times? The reason is that we have grown accustomed in trusting the seen more than the unseen. We can see our spouse, our friends, our co-workers, etc. We can’t really see God. That does not mean He is not with us, it just means we need to learn how to recognize His presence.
God has told us how to do this, but we simply refuse to do it! Word and Prayer is the answer! It is not really that difficult! When we read the Word it is God talking to us. When we pray it is we who are talking to God. But we have grown to believe the Word of God is from an ancient time and for an ancient time. We forget what God has spoken to us in Hebrews 4:12; “For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
The Word of God has the ability to speak to the depths of our soul and reveal the truth to us. When we listen to God speak to us the Holy Spirit is working in the Word to touch and change our hearts, and when our hearts change our whole life changes. All the sudden we our fears and anxiety are overridden by the presence of God in our lives. He has the answers for all our fears. He wants to draw close to us and give us peace. However, God will not force Himself on us. He extends the offer of forgiveness, life, and His abiding presence to us but His desire is for us to come to Him freely.
All we have to do is accept His offer and then abide in His presence. When we do this, all our fears begin to melt away. The anxiety and stress we have been carrying begin to dissipate and we find ourselves living with the ability to look to the future with hope.
It is my prayer for you as well as myself that we will learn each day what it means to hold onto God because in Christ, He is holding onto each one of us.
In Christ,
Pastor Russ
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