Anxiety – it’s a curse, a misuse of our ability to anticipate and
plan. Some nights my eyes refuse to close in restful sleep while my mind does
calculations about some personal challenge. What makes you anxious? Money,
health, children, the future, sin? Sometimes
I excuse my anxiety, which usually surfaces in my life as short-temperedness or
lack of faith, with a dismissive 'that is
just who I am.' I have given myself a pass by pointing to the fact that I
am wired as a "type A" do-er, a man who is action-oriented. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit draws me towards a
better choice. “Do the right thing, Jerry, and submit that situation to Jesus, the
Master and Lord,” He whispers. What peace can be found in obedience, believe
me.
The late Dr. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, a ministry that became a major force in the work of the Lord in the last 40 years, had many reasons to be stressed. He was head of an organization that was huge, that was always in need of funds, and that had thousands of associates on hundreds of campuses around the world. But, Dr. Bright was consistently a man of cheerful temperament, relaxed, and apparently beyond worry. His son reports on the moment when he came to understand why his Dad was this way, even under pressure. It was an interview with a reporter from a Christian magazine.
"Dr. Bright," the reporter asked, "share with us a problem from your life that the average Christian could relate to."
"I don't have any problems" Bright replied.
The reporter pressed, "Don't over-spiritualize this. We all have problems."
"Young man," Bright replied, "you need to understand that I understand that I am a slave of Jesus. A slave doesn't have any problems. The only thing a slave has to do is what his master tells him to do. He doesn't have to be successful. When you really understand that, all the of the sudden, you don't have any problems anymore. All you have are opportunities to see God work."
The late Dr. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, a ministry that became a major force in the work of the Lord in the last 40 years, had many reasons to be stressed. He was head of an organization that was huge, that was always in need of funds, and that had thousands of associates on hundreds of campuses around the world. But, Dr. Bright was consistently a man of cheerful temperament, relaxed, and apparently beyond worry. His son reports on the moment when he came to understand why his Dad was this way, even under pressure. It was an interview with a reporter from a Christian magazine.
"Dr. Bright," the reporter asked, "share with us a problem from your life that the average Christian could relate to."
"I don't have any problems" Bright replied.
The reporter pressed, "Don't over-spiritualize this. We all have problems."
"Young man," Bright replied, "you need to understand that I understand that I am a slave of Jesus. A slave doesn't have any problems. The only thing a slave has to do is what his master tells him to do. He doesn't have to be successful. When you really understand that, all the of the sudden, you don't have any problems anymore. All you have are opportunities to see God work."
- quoted in REV. Magazine, July/August, 2007
Anxiety is an expression of ego. When it appears it reveals our assumption of being 'in charge.' Faith that is deep and wide, causes us to surrender our illusions of mastery of our lives and to live at peace in the Presence of God. I’m not excusing us from action, or inviting us to become passively lazy. We make choices that are consistent with faith. We refuse to run ahead of the Lord. When we do, making decisions in our own wisdom: creating debt, taking on too much responsibility, etc. – we will become stressed. We are very irresponsible if we decide, only after we are mired in our mess, to throw it all on the Lord and expect that He should painlessly lead us out of the problems that we created for ourselves! Dr. Bright’s serenity was born in faith that preceded action. Does that mean we can't ask the Lord to help us with situations we created in ignorance or through willful expression of ego? No. He loves us even when we act in ways that are silly or sinful, however, it is so much better to trust Him.
Anxiety is an expression of ego. When it appears it reveals our assumption of being 'in charge.' Faith that is deep and wide, causes us to surrender our illusions of mastery of our lives and to live at peace in the Presence of God. I’m not excusing us from action, or inviting us to become passively lazy. We make choices that are consistent with faith. We refuse to run ahead of the Lord. When we do, making decisions in our own wisdom: creating debt, taking on too much responsibility, etc. – we will become stressed. We are very irresponsible if we decide, only after we are mired in our mess, to throw it all on the Lord and expect that He should painlessly lead us out of the problems that we created for ourselves! Dr. Bright’s serenity was born in faith that preceded action. Does that mean we can't ask the Lord to help us with situations we created in ignorance or through willful expression of ego? No. He loves us even when we act in ways that are silly or sinful, however, it is so much better to trust Him.
As we wrap us this week, let’s give ourselves to the Lord. Pray out loud - "Lord God, I am your servant. I exist to do Your will. There is nothing I face today that will surprise You. Help me to listen and act, to fulfill your expectations, to carry out your purposes."
Sum up the things that are making
you impatient, that are keeping you awake at night, that make you weary from
worry, take a cue from Hezekiah. Write your worries down and take your letter to
the Lord and pray - "Lord, these are my concerns. I want to meet them in
the way that You desire, for You know all my tomorrows, and You know what is
best for me in the light of eternity." And then, leave them there.
Here's a word from the Word to take with you today.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:4-7, NIV)
Here's a word from the Word to take with you today.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:4-7, NIV)
____________________
Slow me down, Oh Lord,
slow me down,
Help my heart to hear
Your sound.
Speak into my life
Lord, speak now,
Slow me down, Oh Lord,
slow me down.
Clear my mind, Oh Lord,
clear my mind.
Bring me peace that I
cannot find.
Take my worldly
thoughts, break my pride.
Clear my mind, Oh Lord,
clear my mind.
Wake my soul, Oh Lord,
wake my soul.
With this mess I’ve
made make me whole.
Of this life called mine
take control,
Wake my soul, Oh Lord,
wake my soul.
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