Like moon-lit shadows on the wall

Like moonlit shadows on the wall

Last night, the little voices of the Awana kids singing, “And I won’t worry about tomorrow, I’m trusting in what you say,” moved me deeply.  “Lord, give me a child-like faith. Help my heart and mind to surrender to You,” I prayed.  And, I needed to do that.  Several situations over which I have little control conspire to make me afraid. It’s not the 'you scared me half to death' kind of fear.  It’s that gnawing anxiety that sucks the breath out of me,  that hanging cloud of dread of tomorrow that casts a gloomy shadow over every decision. That tension can drive us into depression, and is often a cause of self-destructive behaviors- things like overeating, alcohol abuse, and even sexual promiscuity.  Our sensual appetites gain real strength when we have a troubled soul.

Belonging to God, we need not remain in fear. He promises us a ‘peace that passes human understanding.’ It is given to us freely, but we must choose to receive it. How?

First, submit your emotions to the facts. Declare your status as God's child.

We are not orphans, scrabbling to deal with life, defensive and alone. The Bible says, "you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God’s very own children, adopted into his family—calling him “Father, dear Father.” (Romans 8:15, NLT) Did you trust Christ Jesus and receive His gift of gracious love and forgiveness?  Then God adopted you!  Because of Jesus, we are loved. That truth is so healing, the Enemy of God and good does everything he is able to do to keep us from believing it. He tries to keep us focused on our failures. He does what he can to amplify  the voices of our critics. He tries to narrow our vision to the sorry and sad side of life. So, when anxiety creeps up on us, we must turn to the Word and to worship, praising God for His love; personalizing it! "God loves me!"  Why?  John tells us that "perfect love drives out fear!"

Second, talk about your anxiety with your Father and, if necessary, with a mature Christian friend.

Anxiety is like the shadows that play on the wall on a dark night. Everything looks bigger, more grotesque.  When we try to be big and brave all alone, terror can take hold deep inside of us. That’s why the Bible says, "Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns." (Philippians 4:6, The Message) When you’re anxious, tell the Lord about it. If you connect with a person of authentic faith, let them pray with you. Authentic prayer is not just a poem or a platitude!  It is invoking the Presence and power of the Lord for right now.  Real prayer lifts us up into the Throne Room of God. This is one of the reasons that no Christian should attempt to live the Christian life alone. We need to provide cover for one another. The Word assures that in Jesus “we have (a priest) who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence.”  (Heb 4:15)

Third, evaluate the situation in ultimate terms.

Take your fear and ask - What is the worst that could happen?  The Psalmist asks, "in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Psalm 56:11, NIV) Again, this can be a solo exercise, but it is much more effective when there is a trusted friend who will listen, encourage, and keep your perspective on life in balance.

Fourth - do what's right!

Pain, especially the emotional kind, makes us desperate for relief, doesn't it? If we feel trapped, we are much more susceptible to the temptation of things that offer us a quick lift. Tragically, usually what gives short-term relief, produces long-term destruction.  At that time, make your mind rule your heart. Do the right thing,  just because it is the right thing to do! Let a trusted friend help you carry the load.  If we talk about our temptations, they lose much of their lustre. When we tell someone that we want to spend too much, quit our job, or have an affair - the very telling can help us to see the folly of the proposed 'solution' to our problem. Remember, we are not victims of our temptations. We can, and we must, make a choice.  God's promises that He 'will never leave us nor forsake us.' And, He has promised to make a way for us to stand up in times of temptation. So, do what's right!

Don't let fear swallow you and destroy this day. Here’s a confession of faith, the word from the Word for this day. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-9:1, NIV)

_______________________