It was 2 am, time when I should have been experiencing the
deepest sleep, that kind that makes us healthy and energetic, but instead I was
staring into the dark. My mind would not settle and anxious thoughts tumbled
over one another like water spilling over rocks in a creek bed. Endless
concerns, feelings of being swept away by the current of events, a sense that
life was out of control and I would be lost in the chaos left me facing an old
enemy – anxiety. Google the word. Lots
of people in our time are dealing with this.
Anxiety- is it a spiritual issue? Is it an
illness? Is it ‘my fault?’ Over the years I have realized that I cannot
wish it away and that I am not a sinner because I feel this way. I choose not to use medications that are
available. Even though they can help, most of them change the way I know my
world in a way that I find unpleasant.
One of the Scripture passages that Christians have referred
me to when I talk about feeling anxious is found in Paul’s letter to the
Philippians. As he teaches us about the sufficiency of Christ and the
contentment found in Him, he says this - "I
can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
(Philippians 4:13, KJV) That is a wonderful statement, isn’t it? Many
Christians read a kind of American positivism into that verse so that it
becomes this – “Because Jesus is my God,
I can make anything happen in life that I want, if I believe it enough and
remain positively confident.” That’s
a great idea for us and would be a source of real inspiration if it were true. But,
positivism is not what the Spirit is
telling us there at all!
Read the whole of Paul’s letter. He is writing while imprisoned! He is not declaring
that Jesus is going to get him out of jail. In fact, he makes no demands of God
about the future. His statement about doing all things through
Christ is preceded by this profound declaration of humble reliance on the Lord.
"I eagerly expect and hope that I
will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as
always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to
me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:20-21, NIV) No matter death or life – he has no reason to
feel lesser or unworthy. Either outcome is honorable because he knows that Christ will be lifted
up by if he continues to trust Him and remains
faithful to Him.
When we read - "I
can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" we are encouraged to understand that because He is Lord of life and death,
because He has secured our peace with God, because He has come back from the
dead, our Resurrected Lord, we can live
through any storm, deal with any challenge, and face the Devil and the
darkness even while we continue to do
life with a quietly confident knowledge that we are safe in His arms.
“But, Jerry,” you say, “I want to be the master of my
situations, making them all work out the way I desire through faith.“ I will
admit that I would like that, too. But, we are not God! I have wished a
thousand times for the ability to wave away a family’s dysfunction with a
prayer but discipleship is about teaching them to rely on Christ and the power
of the Spirit to change them, inside out, into His likeness. I have wished for
the miraculous ability to heal every sickness and multiply the bread for the
poor but know that because of Christ, I can pray in faith that leans heavily on
Him and then walk the road He chooses in humble obedience.
Yes, Jesus calmed storms and healed diseases. And, He still
does, but not because we insist that He will. His invitation is that we bring
all our needs to Him and then find the strength, the courage, the contentment
to live in His grace no matter what
happens to us or around us.
So, my anxious thoughts may return occasionally in the
middle of the night, but I can remain faithful to Him because He strengthens
me.
Things may not (indeed, they certainly will not) always be
what I want them to be, but He is always Who He said He would be so I will
remain hopeful because He strengthens me.
In my limited understanding, there will be the appearance of
chaos, but I will not cower in fear, because He strengthens me.
Here is a word from the Word. May the Spirit make it living truth
for us this Monday morning.
"So how am I to
respond? I’ve decided that I really don’t care about their motives, whether
mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is
proclaimed, so I just cheer them on! And I’m going to keep that celebration going
because I know how it’s going to turn out. Through your faithful prayers and
the generous response of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, everything he wants to do
in and through me will be done.
… Alive, I’m Christ’s messenger; dead, I’m his bounty.
Life versus even more life! I can’t lose. …
Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a
credit to the Message of Christ. … Stand united, singular in vision, contending
for people’s trust in the Message, the good news, not flinching or dodging in
the slightest before the opposition. Your courage and unity will show them what
they’re up against: defeat for them, victory for you—and both because of God.
There’s far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There’s also suffering
for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting."
(Philippians 1:18-29, The Message)
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In my life, Lord, be glorified Today! Amen
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