For the last two years many people have experienced higher levels of stress and anxiety due to the pandemic and its troubling ripple effects. I’ve definitely felt this. I’ve been concerned about the health and safety of my family, being pushed out of my job, and the welfare and growth of my students. Larger issues gnaw at me also like the continued spread of abortion and human trafficking, the censorship of free speech, the deception of media, corporations, and leaders, the persecution of Christians, and the overreach of government which threatens religious freedom and the ability to share the gospel. Have you been worried lately? Unfortunately, worrying doesn’t solve anything. Our answers to life’s problems are only found in God. So I choose to trust him. He is helping me to not be more concerned or worried about something than he is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, God doesn’t worry at all. He knows all from beginning to end. He is loving, kind, good, and powerful enough to effectively handle any situation, bringing it around for his purposes and my best. That’s true for anyone who trusts and obeys him. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). That’s an incredible and reassuring promise. No wonder he instructs us not to worry, but to bring our concerns to him. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-8). “The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:5-7).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Excessive worry can make you physically, emotionally, and mentally ill. Essentially worry develops from fear. Fear that things won’t be the way you want them to be. Identify your fears, expectations, and preferences, but then give all of them over to God and the let him accomplish his purposes in you and beyond you. His ways and his timing are perfect. Occasionally this may mean suffering, but that is okay. God’s grace is sufficient and his power is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Place yourself in God’s loving and capable hands. There is no better place to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn from the faithful examples of Christians around you and throughout history. Here are just a few of many cases from the Bible. Daniel obeyed God instead of worrying about a decree King Darius issued which restricted everyone from praying to anyone but him. Subsequently when Daniel was thrown into a pit of hungry lions as punishment for praying to God, he experienced God’s peace and protection (Daniel 6:1-28). Moses used to worry about his past and his inability to speak, but as he humbly trusted God, even in the face of uncertainty, God used him to lead the nation of Israel out of Egyptian bondage and to the threshold of the Promised Land (Exodus 3-4; Acts 7:20-45). In Gethsemane before taking the sin of the world upon himself, Jesus was distressed to the point of sweating blood. Yet he yielded his human desire to avoid the unfathomable suffering involved in saving the world, in favor of loving and obeying God the Father. Jesus prayed, “Yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:39-46; Matthew 26:36-46). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
God offers you the grace and power to exercise this same faith. Take advantage of it. Do what’s right, love God, and serve others even when the outcome seems uncertain or costly. Break the chain of chronic concern. Exchange the defeat of worry for the triumph of trusting. Give God your anxiety and receive the joy of his presence and peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n