Do you know that feeling of anxiousness that creeps up when life’s challenges start piling up? There are seasons (days, weeks,
maybe months) when it feels like all of our resources are used up, when demands
are many; some big, some just the regular stuff of daily existence. When my life gets like that sometimes I awaken
at 2 am and stare at the ceiling, my head full of worry and concern about it
all. I wonder if my faith were greater, if my prayer life was deeper, if … would I wrestle with this kind of concern
or would I be able to let it go? From many conversations with others over the
years, I know that getting anxious and/or feeling overwhelmed is normal.
But, again, does this indicate a lesser spirituality?
Here is an amazing revelation!
Jesus grew
troubled, too. “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say?
‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to
this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice
came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
(John 12:27-28, NIV) He was approaching the
time of His great work, dying on the Cross, making the sacrifice for the sins
of the world, opening the way to reconciliation with the Father for us. And, there it is – He was experiencing anxiety. Where we read ‘troubled’ John uses a word in the
original text that indicates strong feelings of fear and dread, about loss of
inner peace! Yes, I know that nothing I face remotely compares to what Jesus
was about face and yet I am comforted that He, too, felt the weight of life and
responded with something less than serenity!
He was not at all confused about His mission or calling. Prior
to speaking about his inner tempest, He told the disciples - “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be
glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground
and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many
seeds." (John 12:23-24, NIV) Even with such clarity, He wrestled with the
will of God. He does not beg to be ‘saved
from this hour,’ released from the call, the hardship made less difficult. He interjects a prayer that His Father’s Name
would be made even more wonderful in His faithfulness.
Today, stop beating yourself up for feeling afraid,
overwhelmed, or weak. Instead, follow the Master and choose obedient
submission, humbly allowing the Lord to work His will in your life. Whatever your
challenges, instead of begging for a more level pathway, pray for His power to
be unquestionably evident in you as you remain hopeful and steady in Him. Paul
who also knew feelings of inadequacy was inspired to tell us that God whispered
this word of faith into his heart in the hardship. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in
weakness.”
If you are anxious, remember this word from the Word. "So then, since we have a great High
Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what
we believe. This High Priest of ours
understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he
did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There
we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it
most." (Hebrews 4:14-16, NLT)
Instead of trying to minimize your challenges, choose rather
to maximize your faith. There is a gift
of strength to be found in Him.
_________________
(listen to this Zack Williams song at this link)
When he told you you’re not good enough
When he told you you’re not right
When he told you you’re not strong enough
To put up a good fight
When he told you you’re not worthy
When he told you you’re not loved
When he told you you’re not beautiful
That you’ll never be enough
Fear he is a liar
He will take your breath stop you in your steps
Fear he is a liar
He will rob your rest steal your happiness
Cast your fear in the fire
'Cause fear he is a liar
When he told you were troubled
You’ll forever be alone
When he told you you should run away
You’ll never find a home
When he told you you were dirty
And you should be ashamed
When he told you you could be the one
That grace could never change
Let Your fire fall and cast out all my fears
Let Your fire fall Your love is all I feel
Let Your fire fall and cast out all my fears
Let Your fire fall Your love is all I feel
'Cause fear he is a liar
Jason Ingram | Jonathan Smith | Zach Williams
© Anthems of Hope (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing
LLC)
CCLI License # 810055
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