Tag: anxiety

The nice thing about having God in my life is that I never, ever, worry about anything, and my lifelong anxiety just evaporated.

Hahahaha

I wish that was true. I know it’s certainly the goal, and if there’s one thing Jesus was pretty clear about, it’s that we shouldn’t worry about things; that it’s a waste of time. We all know that, and we all know that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

And yet how many of us are groomed from birth to see worry and fear as a sign that we’re being conscientious, or just wise?

I know in my pre-believing days, there were certain born-again believers that irritated me SO MUCH because they were just so calm and peaceful. It was like they thought they were immune from life. Even when the world was crashing down around them, they just had these smug little smiles like they knew something I didn’t. After I became more ‘successful’, I was particularly perplexed by the people who had the nerve to be so relaxed when they were earning less money, or had less ‘stable’ jobs than me. It almost felt like they were taunting me. At least, that’s what it seemed like from my place of complete brokenness.

My journey out of fear and anxiety has definitely been a three steps forward, two steps back, kind of thing. I KNOW that God has it all under control, and that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and that I’ve got the spirit of the living God inside of me. So why was it SO scary when I got laid off of the job I didn’t even like but that paid so well? And why do I always get nervous when a consulting gig is winding up and I don’t have three more lined up? It seems like the more is at stake financially and/or professionally, the bigger the potential fear bombs, as we constantly slip into worry that we might lose it all (…and then what? We’d die? So many lies from the enemy tied up in the whole money thing, isn’t there?)

If I’ve been keeping spiritually fit and these fear bombs pop up to try to derail me, then talking to another believer is so comforting. If I’ve been runnin’ and gunnin’ on my own, too busy for prayer, meditation, time in the Word, or fellowship with other believers, then that same wise counsel I might get from other believers can feel judgmental. I feel much like I did back in the day; defensive and angry, and all too ready to explain why that won’t work for ME because my circumstances are so much different, so unique, so much more difficult than anything anyone else is going through. Blah blah blah.

I suspect that’s one reason why we’re supposed to stick together. I know when I roam too far off the ranch, it’s more painful than it needs to be. If we’re constantly getting bolstered and encouraged by one another, that fear and worry doesn’t even get a chance to take root, and we can enjoy each others’ company all the more.

Today I pray that if you need fellowship, God will guide the right people to you, and that you’ll receive their comfort.

How will you stay out of fear this weekend?

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