Scripture contains a command: "Be anxious for nothing." This is not a suggestion, but many people find this divine order hard to obey. However, the peace that God promises to give us is destroyed by worry. What is a believer to do when Christian anxiety takes over?
Being anxious - which often is a result of a stressful life - is physically bad for people. Modern science has proved that happiness is important to maintaining health. Anxious thoughts cause a the release of 'flight or fight' hormones that have negative effects on total body health. Years of such stress can cause mental and physical breakdown. Mental anguish can harm every relationship a person has, including the one with God.
Anxious thoughts are probably inevitable, except perhaps for the most mature of Christians. The key is the response to these thoughts. Do we dwell on them, allow them to dominate waking and sleeping hours, and thus lose serenity and joy? If so, we have a spiritual problem. Fortunately, God has told His children how to cope.
God wants to help and guide us. He wants to share our burdens and change our lives. He understands that we are weak and promises to give us His strength. He pleads with us in His Word, He provides for us even when we turn from Him, and He gives us grace to feel His presence, see His glory, and find all we need in Him.
Surrender is the key principle that makes it possible for us to enjoy God's peace and allow Him to work in our lives. He has given us free will, and if we choose to hold on to troubles, He lets us do so. Mature Christians know that giving God control is always the best policy, and so they do it sooner rather than later.
Surrender must be followed by trust. We trust that our Lord has our very best interests at heart, that He knows what we are going through, that He will work all things to good for us, and that we can leave things to Him. Our part is to pray and praise and thank Him - often in advance - for help, guidance, provision, and grace. We trust in His mercy to forgive our unbelief, our lack of faith, and our failure to surrender.
This turning over of control is not easy. Many people never do learn to trust and obey. Human nature leads all people to worry and fear, but our lives are not meant to be ruled by human traits. Fortunately, God gives us the gift of faith - which is really belief in Him - and much evidence of His care and His goodness.
Christian anxiety can be the trigger for a deeper and richer understanding of God and His father-care for His children. His Word is filled with love for all people. Jesus has won the victory for every living being, so we can truly relax and enjoy fellowship with the creator of the universe. Letting God do His will for us is so much better than futile worrying.
Being anxious - which often is a result of a stressful life - is physically bad for people. Modern science has proved that happiness is important to maintaining health. Anxious thoughts cause a the release of 'flight or fight' hormones that have negative effects on total body health. Years of such stress can cause mental and physical breakdown. Mental anguish can harm every relationship a person has, including the one with God.
Anxious thoughts are probably inevitable, except perhaps for the most mature of Christians. The key is the response to these thoughts. Do we dwell on them, allow them to dominate waking and sleeping hours, and thus lose serenity and joy? If so, we have a spiritual problem. Fortunately, God has told His children how to cope.
God wants to help and guide us. He wants to share our burdens and change our lives. He understands that we are weak and promises to give us His strength. He pleads with us in His Word, He provides for us even when we turn from Him, and He gives us grace to feel His presence, see His glory, and find all we need in Him.
Surrender is the key principle that makes it possible for us to enjoy God's peace and allow Him to work in our lives. He has given us free will, and if we choose to hold on to troubles, He lets us do so. Mature Christians know that giving God control is always the best policy, and so they do it sooner rather than later.
Surrender must be followed by trust. We trust that our Lord has our very best interests at heart, that He knows what we are going through, that He will work all things to good for us, and that we can leave things to Him. Our part is to pray and praise and thank Him - often in advance - for help, guidance, provision, and grace. We trust in His mercy to forgive our unbelief, our lack of faith, and our failure to surrender.
This turning over of control is not easy. Many people never do learn to trust and obey. Human nature leads all people to worry and fear, but our lives are not meant to be ruled by human traits. Fortunately, God gives us the gift of faith - which is really belief in Him - and much evidence of His care and His goodness.
Christian anxiety can be the trigger for a deeper and richer understanding of God and His father-care for His children. His Word is filled with love for all people. Jesus has won the victory for every living being, so we can truly relax and enjoy fellowship with the creator of the universe. Letting God do His will for us is so much better than futile worrying.
No comments:
Post a Comment