Are you anxious? Anxiety wears many uniforms. It can show up as stress, or worry, or fear. It
can be a constant feeling of worthlessness or an overwhelming sense of doom. Anxiety
can bring on physical symptoms including stomach cramps, profuse perspiration,
and headaches. Just about everyone
experiences it at least occasionally, but for some it can become
life-controlling, a battle each day just to focus beyond its deadly grip.
You are not a bad or
defective person, if you are experiencing anxiety. Do you wonder “Why can’t
I just be stronger?” or, “Why can’t I let it go?” Have you been told to, “Just
snap out of it, it’s not that bad” only to feel worse than before? You may
wonder if your faith is faulty or if you have done something that has caused
God to turn His back on you. Maybe, you have tried to cope with your emotions
with food, work, or some other distraction – finding none of those things offer
more than temporary relief.
Peter offers us the inspired wisdom of God about anxious
fears. I think he had learned these things because of his own feelings of anxiety.
He dropped the ball more than once. He
was an impulsive man, familiar with the ache of regret. Most notably, at the
critical moment of Jesus’ trial, he failed Jesus, his fear causing him to swear
that he did not even know Him. The Bible gives a glimpse of his despair, so
deep that he wept bitterly and, even after the Resurrection, went back to his
old occupation as a fisherman in Galilee.
But, he healed and became a powerful leader of the Church. So, what did
Peter learn from the Lord that he can teach us?
"Humble
yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due
time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled
and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for
someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know
that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of
sufferings." (1 Peter 5:6-9, NIV)
First, acknowledge
that God is God and you are not. Of
course we know that and yet many of
us still try desperately to master our situations, to control all outcomes, to eliminate
all uncertainty. The word that Peter used translated as “humble” for us is a
word that means “to set aside pride, to take a low place, to act in an
unassuming manner, to become plain.”
Please note that this humility is not the same as deciding to be a
worthless person. It is a humility before the Lord, that focuses on His majesty
and power.
Then, throw the
things that cause you to anxious on His shoulders. God offers His hand to you, He knows where you
are, what you feel. He knows what is real and what is the result of exaggerated
fear. Yet, He cares! He will not give up on you or become frustrated by you.
Jesus says “Come to me, all of you who
are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I
will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am
humble and gentle at heart, and you will
find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I
give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NLT)
Next, Peter reminds us that anxiety needs to be met with Spirit-empowered choices: be self-controlled and aware! Anxiety can make a person feel such
desperation, he will do almost anything in the pursuit of relief. The person
who kneels in the Presence of God, who waits in faith, who invites the Lord to
help him carry the weight – will find the
ability to recognize the temptations for what they are and to reject them. It’s
not always an easy choice, but with God in you, it is possible. Peter learned the
hard way that when fear is raging the Evil One looks for opportunities to
exploit it. But, God’s people are not victims, prey to be devoured! They are equipped
to stand.
And so, Peter counsels us to remain in faith and to remember our trials are not unique or unusual. It has been said that God’s Church is not
a museum of saints but rather a hospital for sinners. We are a fellowship that are to carry one
another’s burdens, to be available to one another with love, gentle support,
and powerful prayer.
Feeling anxiety? Be it just a touch of worry or a terrible
storm, the wisdom of the Word is true. Ask for faith to be strengthened to
receive it, to live it, today. "Be
content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you;
he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most
careful with you. Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce,
and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up.
You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with
Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith." (1
Peter 5:6-9, The Message)
___________
I've tried to win this
war, I confess.
My hands are weary, I
need Your rest.
Mighty Warrior, King
of the fight,
No matter what I face,
You're by my side.
When You don't move
the mountains,
I'm needing You to
move.
When You don't part
the waters,
I wish I could walk
through.
When You don't give
the answers,
As I cry out to You.
I will trust, I will
trust, I will trust in You!
Truth is- You know
what tomorrow brings.
There's not a day
ahead You have not seen.
So, in all things, be
my life and breath.
I want what You want,
Lord, and nothing less.
You are my strength
and comfort,
You are my steady hand.
You are my firm
foundation,
The Rock on which I
stand.
Your ways are always
higher,
Your plans are always
good.
There's not a place
where I'll go
You've not already
stood.
Trust In You
Lauren Ashley Daigle | Michael Farren | Paul Mabury
© 2014 Farren Love And War Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG
Publishing (IMI))
Integrity's Alleluia! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG
Publishing (IMI))
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