I’m feeling a rising level of anxiety in our world right now. The causes of this rise in anxiety are, as far as I can tell, from a variety of sources. When therapists try to delve into the issues which contribute to a person feeling anxious, they recognize there may be many contributing factors. Some can be identified readily, some not so much.
It seems to me the anxiety I’m feeling in people’s lives right now are coming from a number of sources. Some of it is coming from the political divisions. Lots of political maneuvering by candidates and officials contribute to an increased level of anxiety. Pitting one group against another for political gain. One group wanting to disenfranchise another group. Groups being castigated and made to be the scapegoat for all of the current ills of society. The rising cost of living has so many on edge. Many having to decide between eating, rent, gas, medicine. The costs keep rising exponentially, while wages increase only slightly or stay stagnant. The climate of violence, both in territories where war is raging, and in communities plagued with criminal activity. People’s health and the cost and availability of competent good health care cause many to be afraid.
The above was just a scratching of the surface looking for where anxiety seems to be coming from. As I said earlier, there are identifiable culprits, but some of the anxiety we may feel is a mix of what’s been mentioned, but some may be deeper and not as easily identified. Our health takes a huge hit from increased anxiety. Our relationships also suffer from prolonged anxiousness. Our spiritual lives can feel muddied by all that is rumbling around inside of us. Hard to settle ourselves to engage with the Divine.
One of the scriptures that immediately comes to mind is from Philippians 4:6-7…”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.” I would love it if I could simply say to myself, don’t be anxious, and all causes of anxiety would disappear. Somehow, it doesn’t work that way. What I do hear the writer of Philippians saying is flesh out those things that are causing us turmoil. Get them off our heart and mind, and give them over to God. This requires us to let go of them, no longer carry them. To, as is said, “let go, and let God.” When we are able to really relinquish our hold on those things tumbling around in us, we will find a peace that truly does surpass understanding. The stuff in us that has us tied up in knots hasn’t gone away, but we have separated ourselves from their destructive energy by saying, “Ok God, I’m leaving this with you, and I’m just not going to concern myself.”
In Paul’s second letter to Timothy 1:7 we read…”For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” This is hitting at the heart of our anxious feelings. We tend to let our fears of what MAY happen rule over us and keep us frightened all the time. But Paul tells Timothy, God gave us a spirit of power, love and self-control. This means we control what frightens us, not the other way around. Yes, politicians may rant and rave, cause havoc with their rhetoric, stir up passions in us. But ultimately, they are not in control of us, we are! God didn’t make us to be afraid, God made us to know the power inside of us to conquer whatever we come up against. When we exhibit control over our passions, approach situations with a sober demeanor, no one can push us into an anxious state.
Matthew 6:34 has Jesus telling us…”Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Jesus is trying to help us understand worrying and fretting over what might happen, what may come, is self-defeating and impractical. We have no defense against what may come, we can only deal with what is. Today is all we have. If we are of sound mind and body today, that’s enough. If we have enough to eat and a place to sleep today, then we can prepare for whatever may come tomorrow.
Finally, we read in Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Remember where Joshua was. Moses had led the people out of bondage in Egypt. They had wandered the desert for 40 years. Everything they knew, almost everyone that started the journey, was gone. Now Moses has died, the only leader they had known. Joshua has been put in charge and the people stand at the border of the promised land. Joshua has to lead them into the unknown, and that had to be beyond frightening. Joshua assures the people by reminding them he has commanded them to this point. Put aside fear, anxiety, trepidation, hesitancy. Yes we are going to go through something, but know that the Lord your God is with you. What is there to be afraid of? God has you, and God is NEVER going to let you go.
That’s the thing my friends, God has us and is not letting go. No matter what we face now or in the future. We are alive now. We are still standing now. We have not been abandoned or forsaken. God stands with us no matter what comes. Knowing God is with us is the ultimate comfort, and THE reason for us to put aside our anxieties and let God be God. God will see us through, now and in the future.
Your companion on the Way,
Pastor Tom