Category Archives: Anxiety

Trouble in Perspective

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

King David, wrote:

“For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead. Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land” (Psalm 143:3-6).

The Christian life is not always one of emotional joy. There are times when we can descend into the depths of depression, be overcome by circumstances, or succumb to grief. We don’t always walk around with a smile on our face. This life often includes pain. So, how should we respond when life deals with us harshly? David provides some answers in Psalm 143.

David endured persecution from the members of his own family. His son, Absalom, sought to over throw his father and annoint himself as king. Early on, while serving King Saul, David’s life was threatened by the very king he served. Because of his sin with Bathsheba, the son born out of this adulterous union died. David was acquainted with sorrow.

The advice David gives is “remember the days of old.” Think back on God’s faithfulness to you. Let your thoughts dwell on all the things God has done. Which is harder for God; seeing you through tough circumstances or delivering you from hell? God is all powerful (omnipotent), so nothing is too difficult for Him. However, from our perspective the greater deed was in the forgiveness of our sins. If God can forgive our sins, can he not see us through the worst of circumstances?

When we feel like we’re at the end of our rope, that is precisely when we need to contemplate the faithfulness of God.  We need to turn our heart towards Him regardless of how we feel.

Avoiding anxiety in uncertain times

Philippians 4:4-7  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!  Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The word for “rejoice” means to be glad.  Paul is telling the Philippian believers to, “Be glad, for the Lord is near!”  There is no better news for the Christian to dwell on than the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming again.  Our nation has just experienced a major election, and it’s quite possible that “change” is on the way.  There are real issues that Christians are to be concerned about.  Will the new President seek to curb or eliminate abortion, or will he act opposite  and continue the murder of the unborn?  Will the covenant of marriage, given by God, be upheld as between one man and one woman, or will our government try to weaken it?  These are fair questions, and as believers we should remain informed and engaged.  Like the prophet Jeremiah, and even our Lord, there is an appropriate time to grieve for our nation and it’s unrighteous deeds (Jeremiah 9:1; Luke 13:32).  But while we are to grieve for the national sin of our nation, we are not to lose hope and be robbed of the joy of the Lord.

The Lord does not want His children to worry or fear.  He commands us to come to Him in prayer and make our requests known to Him.  We are to pour our hearts out to God, for He cares for us.

1 Peter 5:7  casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

God does not promise to show us the answer to our prayers immediately.  His ways are much higher than ours, and He acts in accordance with His own will.  But we have been promised that we will know His peace, “which passes all understanding.”  This is how the Christian, in the midst of great grief and anxiety, can know the peace of God in uncertain times.

Dear Christian, know that our loving heavenly Father has saved you eternally through Christ Jesus.  You are a citizen of heaven, a people for God’s own possession (1 Peter 2:9).  Do not allow the sin and cares of this world to overwhelm you, for God knows about them and will reconcile all things to Himself on the last day.  On that day there will be no more sin, no more grief and no more anxiety.

Rejoice!