Do you believe that? Then why are so many Christians suffering from anxiety? Why are we so stressed out? Could it be that we don’t trust the Lord and His Word like we claim we do. Anxiety and worry is actually saying to God, “ You cannot be trusted.” Some may be thinking, “I would never say that to God!” But if you’re a worrier, that’s exactly what you’re saying.
God declared in Revelation 21:8 that the cowardly (fearful) and unbelieving (worrier) along with other known sins, would not fare well at the culmination of the ages. Emphasis added. But, overcomers would inherit all things. Same chapter verse 17.
I’ve learned over time that worry and fear make us anxious and changes nothing. It makes a mountain out of a molehill, raises our blood pressure, causes sleepless nights, ruins relationships, produces no positive results, yet, we get up everyday and press repeat. As believers in Jesus Christ, not only is that behavior sinful, it’s a poor witness. God did not design our bodies to handle worry and anxiety. Anxiety and worry is a byproduct of fear. Fear is faith in reverse. Chronic illnesses most often than not have its root in worrying. Worry weakens our immune system.
Our loving Creator, knowing we would fall into sin, which would eventually produce worry, has given us the tools we need to cope with anything we will ever face in this life. How did Jesus live thirty three years worry free? He stayed in constant contact with His Father. Did He face tough situations? no doubt. We read the account in the garden of Gethsemane- that was stressful, but He wasn’t worried or anxious. Stress or pressure handled well, produces endurance. Daniel, the three Hebrews, Jesus, Peter, and Stephen to name a few, showed us how it’s done. A life submitted to the Holy Spirit produces inner peace. Inner peace produces fortitude, fortitude produces strength.
Jesus promised the disciples that He would give them peace. Not the kind of peace that is dependent upon everything going right. But peace that bypasses human intellect and comprehension. A settled sense of knowing Someone greater than yourself is holding and supporting you. Jesus slept through a raging storm- Proving to His disciples that it’s possible to have lasting peace when our Heavenly Father is in control. Worry takes us out of His hands, and makes us vulnerable to satanic attacks. I said earlier that worrying is a sinful act. Worrying about anything over which we have no control, no idea how whatever it is will turn out, is a thief of peace. Let’s read some supporting scripture verses that reminds us that we have no need to worry.
Pour out all your worries and stress upon Him and leave them there, for He always tenderly cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7
We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.”
2 Corinthians 10:5 TPT
By constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of His love will become the very source and root of your life.”
Ephesians 3:17 TPT
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.
Philippians 4:6 NLT
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34
When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:19
I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”Joshua 1:9
So do not fear, for I Am with you; do not be dismayed, for I Am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
I Am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27
There’s our answer to worry. All written ahead of our birth, written before the first sign of worry. We need to get out in front of whatever causes us to fear. We need to put on our armor daily. Ephesians 6. We prepare for work, school, and yes church. But are we prepared for the schemes and wiles of the devil? We should be. The Bible says we’re not ignorant of the devil’s devices. 2 Corinthians 2:11. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. If we’re always playing defense we’ll never win the war against worry. Know what the Bible says, believe it and live it. Satan cannot defeat a Christian who is a doer of God’s Word. We all know how He defeated Satan in the wilderness (Luke 4) He was armed with the Word.
“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” James 1:22-25 NLT
Most worrying comes from imperfect people trying to be perfect. Our need to be in control. Once we recognize and realize that we’re inadequate without Him, our rest returns and peace ensues. WT
Father in Jesus Christ You have provided us with lasting peace. Help us by Your Spirit to take You at Your Word, and live a life of rest and peace. In Jesus Name. Amen
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant
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