Anxiety. This is a feeling that is difficult to talk about. Whether it comes from the struggle of being vulnerable or feeling like you can’t fully relate to or understand what the other person is going through, anxiety is a topic that we all have found easier to glance over than truly take on. Everyone has experienced anxiety in some way and it can be physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually draining. Then this year… this year happened, and anxiety came, gift wrapped in boxes lying in wait, ready to spring open on us like a jack-in-the-box. We began to face anxiety like never before, anxious about being around anyone, even and sometimes especially our loved ones. Anxious about leaving our homes to eat, shop, get coffee. Local businesses that relied on our support shut down, or barely stayed afloat. Anxious about politics, the state of our country, our world, and our position as Christians. Everyday commonplace things like shaking hands or receiving a hug were replaced by hand waves from a distance or drive-up celebrations. Masks became a fashion accessory, a uniform we put on everyday dutifully, or refuse to, as some misled individuals have done. Remaining healthy and protecting the health of everyone else, is vital and this pandemic is still continuing, so how do we possibly take all of this on? This 2020-related anxiety doesn’t rule out our everyday anxieties: doing well on that test, a relative facing surgery, money troubles, etc. Many of us are facing more and more compounded areas of stress and worry that threaten to consume us. So, anxiety. Even though humanity, and even Christians, may struggle to discuss it, the Lord directly addresses this feeling multiple times in the Bible.
I. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving , present your requests to God.”
…Okay, this is a nice sentiment right? But how do we put this into practice? First of all, even though it sounds like a command to never be anxious about anything, that’s not what God is trying to get across. If every time we started to worry or fear we immediately felt guilty and shameful for doing so, we’d never get anything done and we’d live in constant misery. God is saying, when, (because it’s not a question of if, but when, we face anxieties), He wants us to feel drawn to Him, to have the ability to stop in our tracks before we spiral, and turn to Him. To offer up our worries, our burdens to Him and ask for His help. Through open, earnest conversation with Him, which is what prayer truly is. Finally the word thanksgiving is thrown into the verse. No, this is not just a holiday, this means that we shouldn’t just selfishly tell God everything we’re worried about and want Him to fix, but praise Him, recognize how wonderful He is, and find joy in the midst of our circumstances.
Now let’s face the next verse which shows us the results of this:
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Wow. Doesn’t that sound so nice? I personally have felt that peace, that incomprehensible peace, wash over me and sustain me. This doesn’t mean that we will have an instant answer, solution to fix all of our worries and live carefree, but by taking this action, the Lord lightens our load and provides us with reassurance and comfort.
“Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.”
We’ve got to replace our anxious thoughts with positive, uplifting ones. Put good in, get good out. Not just a silly saying, truth. What we choose to take in and focus on directs our thoughts. Does this list of adjectives sound like anything familiar? They are characteristics, attributes of God. We align our thoughts in this way, our hearts are lighter. We’ve attacked the problem with two major hits, turning to the Lord and communicating with Him, and consciously monitoring our daily thoughts.
-Philippians 4: 6-8
II. “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.”
One of the best ways to manage anxiety is to not feel alone. Good friends who lift you up can make all the difference. In Job, three friends come and comfort Job once he has lost everything. They simply sit with him and mourn with him. The support of friends, who sit and listen and are just there for you, can lighten the load. We don’t always need an instant response or advice from our friends, just the knowledge that they’re there for us and they care. Staying in touch with our friends, and I mean those friends who want the best for you, who you feel comfortable being vulnerable with, and especially those who point you to Jesus, is essential now more than ever. As much as you may need a lended ear, your friend may need to know you’re there for them just as much as they are for you.
-Proverbs 12: 25
III. “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
It all boils down to this: the Lord is jealous for our love. He wants to be in relationship with us, the One we turn to when we feel boxed in. Why? He loves us endlessly, cares for us unconditionally, and provides us with an outlet, a friend, a confidant, who listens and consoles and frees us from the chains of anxiety.
-2 Peter 5:7
He knows our hearts, our anxious thoughts. But He wants us to feel free and confident in expressing them to Him, in giving them over. Anxiety is a fight for your mind. Plain and simple. We don’t have to go through it alone. God is here for you. Support systems are here for you. I’m here for you. Fight on, fighter.
