Worry Weary?
The devastation in California breaks my heart. Fire is a gift and a curse. It provides warmth and light, but when uncontrolled it can wreak havoc as we’ve seen in the destruction of houses, property, and lives in California.
Seeing the houses that have turned to ash splashed all over the news and social media, stirs up anxiety. The thought of how just as easily that could be my house if a spark ignites from the electrical wiring, the dryer, or me burning supper in the oven. Life is uncertain and a sense of control can be an illusion. I have to remind myself to take every thought captive, that God is in charge, and I trust that He’ll turn all things around for our good.
However, worry and anxiety still plague me, and I’ll even start to question whether having these emotions makes me less of a Christian. Shouldn’t I have the faith to push all these worries aside?
I did a little research and if you also struggle to fight anxiety, then we’re in good company. These Biblical figures didn’t struggle with anxiety because they were sinners, but because they were humans living in a fallen world. Each of them found ways to cope with their worries by turning to God or His son Jesus.
I can’t get it all done! - Martha’s stress I often relate to. She just wanted to be a good hostess during Jesus’s visit but her sister Mary was the one soaking in Jesus’s attention. When Martha asked Jesus to tell her sister to help her, Jesus said, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42) Sometimes we need to refocus our priorities and know that it’s okay if we’re not perfect. God loves us for who we are not what we do.
I’m burnt out at the end of my rope! – Elijah had just called down fire from heaven, defeating 450 prophets of Baal when Jezebel threatened to kill him. Elijah ran for his life, but out of fear, exhaustion, and loneliness (since he believed all the other prophets like him had been murdered). He became suicidal and prayed for God to take his life. God, instead, showed His great love and mercy and sent an angel with food and water to restore his strength and his spirit for the journey ahead. (1 Kings 18-19) We are not alone. God will not leave us nor forsake us and he won’t let us be overtaken by temptation without providing a way of escape (1 Cor 10:13).
I don’t have what it takes! Moses feared God had chosen the wrong guy to bring God’s people out of Egypt. He gave God one excuse after another. What if Pharaoh doesn’t listen to me? What if the Israelites question me about who sent me or don’t believe me? What if I sound stupid or studder through my speech? (Exodus 3 & 4) We’ve all experience insecurities and doubts, but God gave Moses the right words and actions. God won’t leave us to do His will on our own. He’s with us. He guides us and has already given us what we need to get the job done (2 Peter 1:3).
My sadness overwhelms me! David’s writings are a mix of glorious highs and deep lows. Psalm 6:6 says, “I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.” In Psalm 25, David confesses to being lonely, afflicted, and distressed and begs God to free him from his anguish. David was a man after God’s heart. He overcame when under attack by fear, depression, or anxiety, by crying out to God. After David’s wives and the families of his men were kidnapped in a raid, his men in their bitterness planned to stone David. But In 1 Samuel 30:6 it says, “David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” He was able to pursue the raiders and all that was stolen was restored. God will uphold us when we turn to Him for the strength to continue. (Isaiah 41:10 & Philippians 4:13)
Even Jesus prayed at the Garden of Gethsemane until he sweat blood. He asked for God to take the cup of going to the cross to die from him, but then he prayed but not my will but Yours be done. You are not alone in your struggle. God is with you and He’s fighting for you. But how often do we hold unto our fear and anxiety and believe that we have to fight it ourselves instead of trusting God’s will to offer a better future than what we can foresee?