Anxiety is defined as “experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.” The most challenging part of this scripture to me is the idea that there is action I can take to not give in to that unease. I used to like feeling like a victim, and if I could convince myself that my nervousness and worry was too strong, then I could successfully excuse myself from doing anything that pushed me out of my comfort zone.
“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
Philippians 4:6-7 MSG
A lot of my stress and worry has been exacerbated by my expectation that there’s a solution around the corner for my problems that doesn’t involve God. As a first born My default has been to try first when all else fails ask for help… but in time i’ve learnt to ask for Help from God first in the face of anxiety or worry and save myself from going down the rabbit hole.
Perhaps you’ve had similar thoughts cross your mind:
- “If I get this promotion, we can finally get out from under this debt.”
- “Things will settle down once the kids get through this phase.”
- “Two more weeks until all this is over…”
These thought processes aren’t inherently flawed, but they do belittle the underlying spiritual issues at work in each scenario. In these examples, on display is the anxiety we experience about common (but stressful) life situations, and how we seek human solutions instead of believing God can bring peace while we’re going through them.
Situational changes are fine, but they don’t address the condition of your heart.
If you’re stressed about your finances now, you’ll be stressed again once the next unexpected bill hits you. How do you actually grow so that your emotions aren’t dictated by what’s happening in your life at any given moment?
I used to worry endlessly about everything, lived in my head for most of my life and if you’re like me you may wanna try this.
Trusting God!
People don’t talk about their problems to people they don’t trust… No! no one does that… and so it’s obvious that the reason why you’re not talking to God and instead killing yourself with worry is because you don’t trust God! and chill! Trusting God is not an automatic function so don’t assume you do.
Pray with love and trust that God always answers prayers. Keep the right perspective: it’s all good. This boils down to trusting God. God knows how to turn things around. He can turn your sorrow into joy – just let him in. Draw aside, into the secret place no one but you and God can explore. This is a place from which all questions can be answered. Doubts and struggles are safe to open up and wrestle with, in this place. Tears are welcome. Welcome into His arms.
The only way we will learn to trust God is by getting to know God. When our understanding of him is deficient, we are going to view him wrongly. And this is the crux of the entire matter!
Relax, He’s got it handled!
Love,
Zoe 🌟