I’m a worrywart by nature and I also like things planned and organized. Living in an uncertain world as we do, you can see how these personality traits can make life interesting.
But… since I’m saved and have given my life over to Christ, why do I still get anxious and worried? If I know God is in control, why am I bothered by things outside of my control? Is there even a cure for anxiety?
The bible says ‘we live by faith and not by sight’ (2 Corinthians 5:7) which means the things we see shouldn’t sway us because we have faith in God and in His power. I know that and I truly believe it, but I still can’t switch off that part of my brain that panics and worries when I face something bigger than me that is out of my control.
The Oxford dictionary defines “anxiety” as: “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.” It’s this uncertainty that sends me into a quiet panic or flustered activity.
Whenever I’m faced with an anxiety-inducing challenge, the kind that surpasses my limited powers and threatens to drown me, I do what every good Christian does – I pray. I have faith that God has heard me (Isaiah 65:24). And yet, my palms remain sweaty and my brain just can’t help turning the problem over and over, worrying away at it. The cure for anxiety seems very far off!
Then one day, I realized that by doing this, I’ve picked up the problem from the foot of the Cross and thrown away the peace that can only come from centering my mind on Jesus in the midst of a storm. I also realized that after I’ve prayed and I’m at that crucial waiting-on-God stage, I consider possible answers from heaven so that the unknown is not so daunting.
Obviously the only answer I want is a resounding “yes” to my requests, but I also know that we don’t always get what we want. What if God’s answer is “no” or silence? The list goes on and each option does nothing to calm the spiraling of my anxious thoughts and worries.
But even in any of my worst case scenarios, it is ALL working for my good. God has promised that “all things work together for good for those that love God and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Not some things or only the good things. ALL things.
Often we as his children are too nearsighted to see God’s mighty hand at work, but we have a Father that doesn’t “see how we see” (1 Samuel 16:7) and who also “knows the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:10).
These are the promises I think of and dwell on when anxiety threatens to let loose. I tell myself that whatever it is that I may be going through is not a surprise to God. He, unlike me, already knew that thing/disappointment/stressful situation was going to happen and He’s already sorted it. I just have to hold on.
Matthew 6:25-34 is a scripture that I’ve known and recited for years, but one day, I happened to glance at the heading and it struck me speechless. In the Amplified version of the Bible, Matthew 6:25-34 is titled “The Cure for Anxiety.” Wow!
Such is the gravity of this terrible human affliction that Jesus left us a cure for it before He went to the cross. And it is simply this: God knows and is in control. He knows what we need and will supply. If He can do so for birds and mere plants, how much more us, His children that He gave His only son to die for?
It was so important to Him that we live and enjoy the abundant life that He bought for us with His precious blood that no matter what we may face, He has foreseen it and Godly peace is ready.
The analogy that springs to my mind is that of young children. I don’t know how many times my children have asked for something that seems harmless and not a big deal to them (staying up late on a school night is a good example) but I’ve had to say “No.”
This is how God is with us – we are His children and our perspective is very much limited, whereas He’s working in love and with eternity in mind.
Promises in Scripture
- Today you can stare your worries, concerns and anxieties boldly in the face fully assured that, “if God be for you who can be against you?” (Romans 8:31).
- As you ponder that rhetorical question, dwell on His promises that “your name is written on the palm of his hands” (Isaiah 49:16).
- Let it sink into your mind, body and soul that your Father in heaven desires to “give you good and advantageous gifts” (Matthew 7:11), even if His answer to a pressing need is not what you want.
- He knows what you need and He’s got you covered and protected (Psalm 91:4).
The cure for anxiety won’t happen all at once, but the more we rely on scripture and remember past times God brought us through, the better we’ll be at defeating it!
This article first appeared on ReflectionsintheMess.com
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