Navigating the Storms of Anxiety and Worry

Matthew 6, Psalm 37

War, terrorism, the economy -- who doesn't have a few worries? Anxiety can build before you realize the toll it's taking on your energy, sleep, and peace of mind. We all worry over the common things of life from time to time like food, drink and clothing. Sometime we worry about our safety in the world. After "9-11" all of us felt at least uneasy. The crutch of our national impenetrable strength had been swept away. It was easy to trust in America. We must remember though, that it is God that allows nations to exist. Our real trust should be in Him. Psalm 37:1-2 says: "Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away."[1]

Perhaps you don't fret for yourself. Perhaps your family concerns you. You worry over having the finances to care for the children. Or maybe your parents are aging and are beginning to take extra care. How will they be cared for in their last years? Or, you may even worry about your own retirement. Have you saved enough? Have you made proper provisions? Will you become a burden to your children? These are all common worries. However, we who know the Lord, do not have to be held captive to these anxieties.

We must remember that we are valuable to God. (Matthew 6: 26) We are more valuable than the birds of the air. We are more beautiful than the lilies of the field. We are more splendid than Solomon's temple. If this is true, we know he will take care of us in a way greater than these others of his creation.

It is not even practical for us to worry. Most of what we worry about can not be changed. Experience tells me that usually my worry is much greater than the reality when and if that which I am worried about actually happens. Worry does not add even an hour to our life according to Matthew 6:27. In fact worry/stress has been found to shorten life when we allow stress levels to go unchecked. We need to let God help us control our anxiety.

The pursuit of "material things" keeps us from pursuing things that matter. Things like God's kingdom and his righteousness. Things like faith, obedience and purity. This shows a lack of faith. It is a problem the Pharisees had. The never learned to live by faith in God. Jesus told us in Matthew, the sixth chapter, to get our priorities straight. He told us we should "seek first the kingdom and His righteousness" and the material necessities that we worry so much about will follow. (Matthew 6:34)

What can we can we do to overcome the worry that haunts us? Here are seven admonitions taken straight from scripture we have just read.

1. Trust in the Lord and do good.
2. Delight yourself in the Lord.
3. Commit your way to the Lord.
4. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.
5. Do not fret when men succeed in their ways, or when they carry out their wicked schemes.
6. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath.
7. Do not fret—it leads only to evil.

When we do these things we are promised many benefits from God. We are not to fear men because they will soon wither and die. (Ps. 37:2) We are to trust in the Lord because he is our supply. (Ps 37:3-4) We are to commit our ways to the Lord so that, He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, and the justice of your cause (will shine) like the noonday sun.

Why don't you make a commitment to God today to give these worries and anxieties over to him? In prayer accept His positive promises to vindicate you and supply your needs…which include peace.
©2010 Dr. Max E. High

From the book Tacking: Using the Scripture to Navigate the storms of life.  Find it at www.drmaxhigh.com or www.healthychurchsolutions.com  

[1][1]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 . Zondervan: Grand Rapids