Love it! Alicia and I needed this today. Gods remedy is so important to understand. I tend to think things should always be crystal clear but I forget to except the confusion and know God is in control. Thanks Bob!
Just out today, San Diego ranks among the nation’s most stressful cities. OK, I get Boston, Chicago and the Big Apple … but here? What happen to the kicked-back, life’s great, catch a wave and you’re sittin on top of the world, way of life? Has America’s Finest become America’s Most Frazzled? I remember that old joke with the punch line, “Don’t tell me worry doesn’t work, everything I’m worried about hasn’t happened.”
Joke’s aside, we’ve dug ourselves into a deep dark pit of worry with little hope of digging ourselves out. Our only hope is to grab the strong arm of a loving God and let Him pull us out of our worry pit. But instead, too many trust in treating the symptoms, medicating the problem and coping the best way they can (it’s why anti-depressant prescriptions are at an all time high). Here’s the truth, we have a proven solution for worry; not in a pill, a program or a prescription; but in a Person, Jesus Christ.
Worry is a problem in the church. I’ve even said it’s a form of atheism in a daily context. Mark Driscoll said “worry is a sin to be repented of, not a condition
to be managed.”
Here are some favorite anti-depressant verses that keep worry from getting the best of us;
“Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you.
In God (I will praise His Word), I have put my trust.
I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?”
Psalm 56:3,4
“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 understanding, will guard your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6,7
Peter was a worrier by nature, and yet he gives to us the antidote to worry when
he says;
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
1 Peter 5: 7
So here’s our dilemma, in order to allow God’s prescribed remedy to become our choice of action we have to stop converting ourselves into believing the inner notion that we can control the events surrounding our life and their outcomes, thus having nothing for which to worry about. But life doesn’t work that way. Daily we strain to somehow deal with things we cannot control; affected by events we cannot change and outcomes we can’t alter. This is the hotbed of worry that keeps us from enjoying the peace Christ provides.
When I was in graduate school (talk about being stressed out) I came across a list of “action steps for anxiety” that I still find useful. I encourage you to give
them a try;
1) Remind yourself that God is in control (When all else isn’t … He still is.)
2) Accept Confusion (Someday God’s sovereignty will be made clear.)
3) Faith rules not Feelings (If left to our emotions we sink. Just ask Peter.)
4) Distinguish Needs from Wants (Give God control over what you need.)
5) Know your Job (it’s to follow not to lead. He leads. We trust and follow.)
6) Don’t run away (Let your worries chase you straight into the arms of God.)
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