Clay Center, Kansas – Anxious people are all around us, and one of them might even be you. Where is the hope for those who wrestle with anxiety? Can it be overcome?
“Anxiety and depression have become a new public health threat for Americans of all ages” reported Pew Research in “The Age of Anxiety.” The Anxiety and Depression Association of America agrees with this, stating that nearly 20% of Americans, or 40 million people, battle with anxiety disorders.
My worldview is shaped by God, the Bible and the death and resurrection of Jesus. Being so, this tells me there is hope in everything we face—including the battle with anxiety.
It may seem like anxiety is unique to our generation, but not so. It is a symptom of the human race’s fallen condition, and we have battled with it since near the beginning of time. Being so, God directly addresses the ancient human nemesis with hope saying, “Do not be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:6), “…do not be anxious about your life” (Matthew 6:25), and “Let not your hearts be troubled.” (John 14:27) God has an answer to anxiety and it is Him!
Jesus’ disciples were out on the sea at night when a storm arose, causing waves to smash against their boat. In the middle of this, Jesus miraculously came to them walking on the stormy sea in the dark of night. When the disciples saw Jesus, Peter said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Then Jesus told Peter to come, and so “Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me.’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’” (Matthew 14:28-33)
At first, Peter was confident walking on the water, but then he panicked. He took his focus off Jesus and fixed them on the very real and terrifying wind and waves. His panic turned to fear as he suddenly began to sink towards his death. But he cried to the only One who could save him—Jesus. “Lord, save me,” Peter desperately yelled out. Then Jesus reached out His hand and lifted Peter to safety. Notice what Jesus said, “O you of little faith.” What did that mean?
The word “anxiety” in the Bible refers to “fracturing a person’s being into parts.” Anxiety is a pulling or dividing of the mind in opposite directions. It also refers to choking, like when a person is “cut off” from air.
Is Life Worth Living? HOPE FOR TODAY by Clint Decker
Peter was fixed, focused, heading in a singular direction, but then something happened. He instantly became divided in his mind. He began to choke when the wind and waves pulled at his attention and cut his focus off from Jesus. Then his anxiety grew into a paralyzing fear.
Anxiety, worry, panic, fear, doubt, distress and the troubles that weigh on us; they get us when we give them our full, undivided attention. Jesus combats this by teaching that when we are under attack from anxiety, to give Him our full undivided attention, and He will give us peace. The Bible says, “Casting all your anxieties on him” (1 Peter 5:7), “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22) and “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God.” (John 14:1). Turning to Jesus with all our heart is the only sure foundation for fighting anxiety. When we do, we are not people of “little faith”, but rather, people of “great faith.” Jesus has conquered sin and death. He is your answer. Let Him help you.
A prayer for you –Lord God, I struggle with anxiety. Today, I believe there is hope through you. I desperately call out, asking you to deliver me, O God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
- Clint Decker is President & Evangelist with Great Awakenings, Inc. Hope for Today is a syndicated column that appears online and in newspapers from North Dakota to Texas. He can be reached at cdecker@greatawakenings.org or at 877-433-3220.
- #Anxiety #MentalHealth #Faith #Jesus #ChristianLiving #HopeForToday
