From Calvary Chapel of Roswell
Pastor Jim Suttle
Msg #523 Wednesday, September 10, 2008
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In the multitude of my anxieties within me,
Your comforts delight my soul. (Ps 94:19)
Worry, fear, anxiety. These are feelings that many have in common in these days. There seems to be so many things to be anxious about!
What is Anxiety? Webster defines it as “distress or uneasiness of mind caused either by the fear of or the expectation of coming events.” One person put it this way “Anxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.” Wow, those are good. We see what it is and what it can cause…
Are you anxious today? Do the definitions above describe you? I really appreciate the Psalmist in the verse above admitting that there were a lot of anxieties in him. Maybe that is where we need to begin today, just understanding that for some of us it is true - that we are anxious.
Yet, there is hope. In the midst of the anxiety – the Psalmist found that God met him and that his soul was able to be comforted and even delighted. Does that sound like what you need today? If so, let me prescribe a familiar NT verse that tells us how to have this delightful comfort.
Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus. (Php 4:6-7)
1st - Don’t be Anxious. Anxiety is normal and real – yet God is telling us that we should not stay in such a state. We need to climb out of it. Why? C.H. Spurgeon said it this way “Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows but only empties today of its strength.” It is true – anxiety will drain you. Further, in the mist of fear and worry both satan and this world are often able to manipulate us to do dumb things that we would never do in a right state of mind.
So how do we not be anxious…God tells us:
2nd – Be Prayerful. Talk to God, tell Him all that is causing you anxiety. He cares, He is able and He is good. Christian, you have access to the greatest power and source in this world – God. It seems to me, that God is in a very special and specific way calling His people deeper into prayer in this season in our world. So….pray about everything – take it all to Him!
3rd – Be Thankful. One of the things that fear causes us to do – is lose sight of the good things around us and that we have in God. In the midst of turning it all over to God – specifically focus on thanksgiving for practical things you see God doing. Yet so much more be thankful for who God is – that He is good, sovereign, working all for good and more. Turn your heart to thankfulness.
4th – Be Peaceful. God tells us that the outcome of our praying and being thankful will be peace. Yet notice specifically, it is a peace that passes understanding, not a peace that comes from understanding. God is not offering you a peace that comes from knowing what is happening in our world, or your life. That is not this peace. This peace is a tranquil heart, that may still not have the answers – but finds itself resting in a faithful God. Having His peace.
In these anxious times and an anxious society – you can know peace. If you do have God’s peace in this hour – your life will shine as a beacon of hope and calm in this worried world. One of the wonders is that people will notice and you will have the opportunity to explain your peace and your hope. I am praying for that for you and I today.
always be ready to give a defense (logical explanation) to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.. (1 Pe 3:15)
Jim
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