“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (KJV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
A recent TIME magazine ran a feature article on anxiety, which came up with an AMAZING conclusion: that anxiety in itself is neither good nor bad, but the issue is how we respond to anxiety. Of course my use of the word “amazing” (in caps no less) is a dash of sarcasm. Duh! How many great human “brains” labored over the forming of that conclusion? Were the psychologists and doctors who probed the intricacies of anxiety to read and believe Scripture, they would have arrived at a truly AMAZING conclusion: that anxiety is a choice.
God’s Word clearly states that we will have tribulation. We will have sorrow and suffering in this world. But Jesus Christ has overcome the world. Not only from Scripture, but from the work of the Holy Spirit in my everyday life, I know this to be true! Not to say that I am exempt from human emotions such as anxiety, fear, and dread. But when circumstances close in, and these emotions surface, I can choose to present them to our Lord—and trust that He will enable me to endure (victoriously!) in the midst of whatever may be happening in my life.
I tend to “crack up” with chuckles when I read about all the “syndromes” and “disorders” which are rampant and popular today. The human race seems to be getting stranger every day. The TIME article on anxiety is as laughable as another which appeared in that magazine a few years ago, publishing the astounding discovery that “boys and girls are different”! The scientists who came up with that one could have saved themselves a lot of time, money, and effort if they’d simply gone back to Genesis!
Seriously, though, my heart aches for people who do not know the Lord and realize His magnificent provision for every detail of our lives. And especially heartbreaking are those Christian believers who by-pass the Scriptural command to not be anxious, but rather pray and trust. I’m not saying that it is “easy” to refuse anxiety, and just pray and trust. Of course it is not “easy”—in fact, it is humanly impossible. We cannot do it. Only the Holy Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ can do it—in us and through us as we yield each issue to Him!
Oh, how we fallen creatures love to think we are “wise”! At the age of 37, I was born into God’s family from a world view of secular humanism. Until God allowed my illusions to crumble, I thought I was very wise. How liberating it was to finally understand that I am not wise! How blessed to simply relax, and let God be God! When I forget that, I do become anxious. But when I remind myself of Whom is in charge, the burdens literally roll away!
” . . . the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” I Corinthians 1:25 (KJV). In this verse, Paul is employing the literary tools of irony and sarcasm. We know that there is absolutely no foolishness or weakness in our Lord. How blessed is that!
Margaret L. Been, ©2012
