How to Avoid Anxiety
Featured article at LIFTUPYOURDAY.com on May 23, 2016
Grant that it may not be in the power of any to rob me of the peace that results from a firm trust in Thee. Whenever crosses or troubles are met without, may all be well within. ~ Susanna Wesley
Susanna Wesley knew the danger of allowing circumstances to steal her joy and it is imperative that we too protect ourselves from allowing the Devil to gain ground among us. It seems all too easy to become engulfed with life’s mishaps and have our focused removed from Christ as the center.
Rarely, do we see people stop everything and hit their knees in a prayer of commitment against this. Perhaps, if we did, our insecurity and loss of confidence would be removed.
In Elizabeth George’s, A Women After God’s Own Heart, she points out that, “God confidence comes as the Holy Spirit works within us.” That, “As we pray and when we make choices that honor God, the Holy Spirit fills us with His power for ministry.”
She is so right! Her prayer principle that, If He doesn’t meet it, you didn’t need it, is a super simple, extremely tough value that we would do well to apply to our lives.
Can you imagine walking through life stress free? Though it is impossible to never be without a challenge, we can control where we vest our strength to carry on.
I recently encountered a multitude of trials myself. It seemed that if it could go wrong, it was going wrong. My tears over every new thing easily pointed to my lack of trust in His ability to fix things.
Over and over again, I had to repent for losing sight of His goodness, mercy and grace. I did it so much over the last few weeks that I was irritating myself with myself. Praise God that He is faithful to not only forgive, but restore. Once I finally began to rest in His promises of provision, my soul found contentment in the midst of uncertainty.
Jesus declared in the Sermon on the Mount, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” Matthew 6:25
Though we are familiar with His reminder that none can add a single hour to the span of their lives through worrying, we consume ourselves with defeat almost every opportunity we get.
Michael Henry’s commentary on this same passage states that, “There is scarcely any sin against which our Lord Jesus more warns his disciples, than disquieting, distracting, distrustful cares about the things of this life.”
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ~ Matthew 11:28-30
This article is part of Jenny's ongoing contribution to LiftUpYourDay.com